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A COMMON CASE OF MALE INFERTILITY

A Common Case of Male Infertility

Featured Speaker: Lisa Lapwing, AP

A 31-year-old patient came to me with the chief complaint of male infertility. In his case, he had low sperm morphology and motility which was diagnosed in 2020. 

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Florida Saves Acupuncture Physician Title

Mission Accomplished!
Florida Saves Acupuncture Physician Title

When previous bills intended to restrict the use of the words “physician” or “doctor” in professional titles were introduced in Florida, they gained little traction or support. What made Senate Bill 230 different was not its language or timing, but instead the legislative leadership backing the Bill. Unlike previous efforts, in 2024, Florida’s State Senate leadership shared that SB 230 was a cornerstone in their healthcare reform agenda. Sponsorship of SB 230 was entrusted to the Health Policy Committee chairperson in the Senate, and a medical doctor elected to the leadership of the State House of Representatives. This gave gravitas and political life to an issue that had previously been floundering.

The Senate and House versions of SB 230 essentially would have banned anyone but medical doctors and osteopathic physicians from using the words “physician” in their advertisements and daily interactions with patients. Exceptions were made for chiropractic physicians, who are authorized in their practice to identify themselves as chiropractic physicians; as well as dentists and podiatrists, whose specialty recognitions and licenses can include the terms doctor, physician, and surgeon.1


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From the President - 2024 Conference Journal

From the President

Galina V. Roofener AP

Dear FSOMA Members, 
The FSOMA, as a 501(c)6, not-for-profit professional association, has been serving Florida Licensed Acupuncturists since 1994. During our long history, FSOMA has had tremendous success in gaining respect and acceptance for our profession at the State and National levels.

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TCM gaining acceptance by my Western colleagues ...

The sequence of determining the depth to a TCM diagnosis is never exact. Unlike our western medical colleagues, we keep an open mind in developing our diagnosis and treatment plans. I have noted this difference in other blogs. However, I will now further highlight how this “inexactness” manifests in my treating relationship with the patient. The initial intake is the best example in demonstrating the differing philosophy of both fields.

The TCM intake takes on much more significance in comparison to a typical western intake. Specifically, the TCM practitioner spends much more time in gathering “peripheral” patient information. Matters such as lifestyle choices, diet, and exercise patterns are heavily emphasized in the TCM intake.

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What Does “Direct Supervision” Mean in Non-Hospital Diagnostic Testing Facilities?

Reposted From an article by Amanda Howard of Florida Healthcare Law by FSOMA on July 22, 2022

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, commonly known as CMS, requires physician supervision of certain services as a condition for reimbursement. The required supervision level depends on the type of service performed, the setting where the service is performed and the physical location of where the service is performed. Adhering to the proper protocol is critical, as services furnished without the required level of physician supervision are not reimbursable by Medicare and may potentially have even more significant consequences, including civil and criminal penalties.

Types of Physician Supervision

Generally, there are three levels of supervision for diagnostic testing in non-hospital facilities:

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Having Good Boundaries in Our Profession

One network that can help us as professionals with out of control, inappropriate or addictive type behavior is the Professionals Resource Network, Inc. (PRN) - For Florida practitioners who find themselves in trouble. Don’t wait for discipline to be enacted, get support now through PRN. You can report someone, or yourself and get help.  For someone facing discipline by the Board of Acupuncture it may be a way to maintain your license.  They provide counseling and monitoring to ensure public safety. 

If you have a problem, get help before you cross the line. 

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Five Easy Steps to Set Your 2022 Financial Goals

Creating Financial Goals from SCORE

The best way to ensure success for your business is to plan ahead. If you want to grow and bring in profits, you need a strategy. Outline your goals and what steps you’ll take to achieve them. Have a plan to track your finances throughout the year and a method of evaluating your success.

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Some Good Advice from SCORE on Business Planning

I've copied this post from a SCORE blog post found hereSCORE is a great organization supporting small businesses. 
Ellen

5 Tips To Nail Your Small Business Plan

How To Write a Business Plan

You would never start a road trip without a map planned destination. So why would you start a new enterprise without a solid business plan? 

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How to Network Within Your Community

How to Network Within Your Community
Guest Blogger Michael Stephenson

Oriental practices, like acupuncture, offer many benefits to human health. As a practitioner, you are in a unique position to bring these benefits to the mainstream. You get to help people while doing something you enjoy. But, it’s not all fun and games. Sometimes, you have to focus on the business aspect. Networking is one of these.

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Live at the Forum

This past weekend was my first live acupuncture seminar since COVID.  I have been overwhelmed by the sheer energy generated by a group of colleagues (APs, students and teacher) gathering together to learn and study.  I did not know how much I had missed this. 

It was a privilege to study scalp acupuncture with the 3rd generation teacher of the Fang's Scalp Acupuncture lineage Huang Zhuying.  Fang Yunpeng was the developer of acupuncture anesthesia and scalp acupuncture during a time when pain drug supplies were in short supply.  He passed the system to his son Fang Benzheng who further refined and developed the system. The teacher of the class Huang Zhuying is the 3rd generation.  I'll post the class picture later. 

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Asian American & Pacific Islander Month - Home of our Medicine

May 2021 provided the most visible celebration of Asian Americans' & Pacific Islanders' (AAPI) history, culture, and global influence.  By highlighting personal examples of courage and tenacity I was better able to learn about the lives of millions who came this country with little more than optimism and ambition.  Asian/Pacific immigrants, like those from Eastern/Western Europe and around the globe, most often chose to leave their birthplace to escape poverty, famine, and persecution only to face similar conditions in their new homeland. 

The stories of Asian/Pacific Americans who overcame biases rooted in ignorance and intolerance continue to inspire those who follow seeking similar opportunities for a brighter path in America.  Learning some of the heartwarming and heartbreaking stories of people who exceeded contemporary and societal expectations to fulfill their dreams is a reminder that the human spirit will triumph when given a chance.        

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Is your patient's disease taking her hostage? The FBI may be able to help.

I've been listening in again to the Qilogical podcasts produced by Michael Max   (Thank you to my new puppy for taking me on walks) After Michael spoke at the 2012 FSOMA Conference on the 10 Formula Families*  I've been an occasional listener to his podcast and enjoyed his clinic newsletter for the thoughtful comments and insights.  

This week's interview was quite fascinating as it brought into the acupuncture clinic the writings of an FBI negotiator that finding the "No" place with your patient could be more usefully ultimately than trying to get to agreement or a "Yes".  Thinking about your patient's disease as a hostage taker and your patient as the hostage can give you more tools in how to navigate the healing process. I've been in practice over 20 years and still struggle with those patients with whom I don't seem to be able to communicate the value in what I'm offering, who drop out of care just when we seem to be getting somewhere.  I also seem to have forgotten about the maxim that "All Diseases Come from the Heart" and the podcast took me back to some basics. 

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