AIMC Blog

CALE Occupational Analysis: 153 Critical Tasks · 13 Subareas The occupational analysis identifies the critical tasks an entry-level acupuncturist performs, following the procedure of care from first contact to a safe, documented close. What follows is that practice drawn to scale — every stage, subarea, and task weighted by its criticality and placed in procedural sequence, offered here as an instructional guide for curriculum development. FOUR STAGES OF PRACTICE TO SCALE The

Community Connection In May, AIMC Austin was proud to attend and table at the 4th Annual Austin AAPI Professional Summit. As a graduate college rooted in holistic healing traditions that originate within Asian culture, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and mind-body practices, we attended this year’s gathering, Moving Forward Together, to gain deeper insight into the specific wellness needs and challenges facing our local AAPI community, as well as to build authentic, c

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Chronic lower back pain in TCM most often reflects Kidney Qi deficiency or Bi syndrome. The kidneys in Chinese medicine house your essence and are central to aging and longevity. Traditionally, you have prenatal essence you are born with and the ability to build post-natal essence through healthy lifestyle practices, acupuncture, and herbs. As we age, and by that, I mean — have the audacity to be over the age of 30 — our essence diminishes. What happens as we age? At the mus

We love when our faculty bring their brilliance beyond the classroom! Dr. Reagan Taylor, DAOM and Clinical Education Director at AIMC, was recently a featured guest on the Killah Priest Podcraft for a special Gemini Edition of Royal Priesthood Wednesdays. Joined by host Killah Priest and Knowledge Born Allah, Reagan explored the rich intersections of Chinese Medicine, astrology, ancestral wisdom, and Hip Hop consciousness AND how these ancient and contemporary healing traditi

You've spent years learning the medicine. You understand qi, zang-fu, point location, needle technique, herbal formulas. What nobody fully prepares you for is the moment you have a practice, and this is truly because no one can. Everyone is different and their visions are just as unique. Perhaps the only shared sensation is that moment you realize that on some level learning the medicine was the easy part. Running a practice requires a completely different skill set: marketin

A growing body of clinical research suggests acupuncture may help stroke survivors regain motor function, manage pain, and recover speech when used alongside standard rehabilitation. What Is Acupuncture, and How Might It Work in Stroke Recovery? Acupuncture is a practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. In stroke rehabilitation, practitioners typically target points thought to improve circulati

There's a brown bottle that lives on the shelves of acupuncture clinics and increasingly, in the training bags of athletes who get acupuncture. If you've ever smelled it, that sharp, cooling scent lives rent free in your memories. It's Zheng Gu Shui (正骨水), "bone-setting liquid," and it has been doing its job quietly for over a century. It belongs to the category of herbal liniments known as die da jiu ("hit-fall wine"), formulas historically used to treat the injuries of sold

As prospective students across the country start their search for an acupuncture school, they use a handful of common search queries, such as... Acupuncture schools Top acupuncture schools Top acupuncture schools near me This will frequently lead you to a list of schools that will contain one or more schools that have closed. If you ask ChatGPT, you may end up with a handful of schools who have all closed. It might even lead you to blogs and substacks talking about an “acupoc

The 3 Stages of Snot-Busting Allergy season does not hit everyone the same way, so it makes no sense to treat every runny nose like it is the same problem. Sometimes, you are in the prevention window. Sometimes, the clear snot flood has already begun. And sometimes the mucus turns yellow, your sinuses get angry, and now the situation has escalated beyond “ugh, spring.” Chinese medicine tends to approach these phases differently. That is part of its strength. It does not force

Current Students Enrollment for the Summer 2026 term will open on Monday, February 23 at 12:00 AM and will close on Thursday, April 2 at 11:59 PM. Please make sure to finalize your course selections before the deadline. 📝 How to Enroll Go to the Registration tab under My Profile. Select Summer 2026 from the term menu. Add your courses to your schedule. Click Save to submit your registration. When prompted, review and digitally sign the Term Enrollment Agreement. You must sig

Biologically, What's Happening? The idea that cold weather exacerbates joint pain is supported by various physiological mechanisms. Cold temperatures may not directly cause arthritis or structural damage to joints, but they do influence pain perception in the body. One primary factor is the viscosity of synovial fluid, which thickens in colder conditions. This thickening impairs the smooth movement of joints and increases stiffness (Jin & Zhang, 2022; Zhao et al., 2014). Musc

In clinical practice, acupuncturists and bodywork practitioners often encounter situations where progress slows or patients struggle with standard treatment approaches. Chronic conditions may plateau, emotional patterns may resist change, or certain populations—such as children, elders, or those with needle sensitivity—may require gentler forms of care. These challenges invite us to explore complementary methods that work within the framework of Chinese medicine while expandi

Excitement is growing at Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College (AIMC) as Spring 2026 enrollment opens! Whether you’re continuing your studies or beginning your journey into East Asian medicine, now is the perfect time to secure your courses for the upcoming term. Classes begin on January 5, 2026, offering a full range of classroom and clinical experiences designed to prepare you for a meaningful career in integrative medicine. With online enrollment open through Novemb

AIMC students and faculty at the China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center (CBIATC), August 2025. A Journey with Purpose In August 2025, a group of AIMC students set out on an extraordinary learning adventure to Beijing, China. The trip was part of the EL200 China Study Abroad Program, hosted by the China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center (CBIATC) under the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS)—a World Health Organization Collaboratin

The Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College (AIMC) is proud to announce its continued leadership in licensure examination performance. According to data published by the California Acupuncture Board, AIMC ranks fourth nationally among accredited institutions for first-time pass rates on the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination (CALE) between 2020 and 2024, with a first-time pass rate of 81.1%. This strong five-year performance reflects AIMC’s commitment to rigorous

Considering a career in Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine? Join us for AIMC’s upcoming Virtual Open House to learn more about our Master’s and Dual Degree programs. We’ll cover everything you need to know—curriculum, schedules, financial aid, clinical training, our herbal pharmacy, and more. Event Detail 🗓️ Dates:• Monday, July 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM (PT)• Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM (PT) 📍 Location: Online via Zoom🔗 Register now: Eventbrite Registration 🎓 Plannin

The Charlotte Maxwell Clinic (CMC) is a vital lifeline for low-income women battling cancer. They provide integrative healthcare services at no cost, alleviating a significant burden for those in need. As a trusted partner of AIMC, CMC is seeking acupuncturists to join their compassionate volunteer team. With over 60% of their clients expressing interest in acupuncture, this service can profoundly impact the lives of these women, both physically and emotionally. The next volu

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