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Happy New Year from the Tennessee Acupuncture Council
As we begin a new year, the Tennessee Acupuncture Council (TAC) is energized by the momentum of our profession and grateful for the continued dedication of our practitioners, students, and supporters across the state. We would like to welcome Dr. Joe Phiakhamta, DAOM, L.Ac as a board member at large! For those interested in applying to the Board please apply here. We are currently accepting applications.
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January is a time to reflect, refocus, and recommit to protecting patient safety, professional integrity, and the future of acupuncture in Tennessee.
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Throughout the past year, TAC has remained actively engaged in advocacy efforts to protect the lawful practice of acupuncture and ensure regulatory clarity for our profession. These efforts continue into 2026, particularly as conversations around needling practices gain renewed attention nationwide.
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TAC aligns with the American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) in supporting the safe, ethical, and legally authorized practice of acupuncture and dry needling, with patient safety and scope-of-practice clarity as central priorities.
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Dry needling is defined as the insertion of solid filiform needles into specific anatomical locations for therapeutic effect. The techniques used, anatomical targets addressed—including myofascial trigger points—and intended clinical outcomes substantially overlap with those taught and practiced within the field of acupuncture.
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Licensed acupuncturists complete extensive, acupuncture-specific education that includes:
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Comprehensive anatomy and physiology
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Neurophysiology and musculoskeletal assessment
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Contraindications and risk management
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Clean Needle Technique (CNT)
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Patient evaluation and emergency management
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Acupuncture education has long integrated both traditional East Asian medicine and modern biomedical frameworks. In addition, some physicians who practice acupuncture complete substantial post-doctoral training consistent with national standards recognizing acupuncture and related needling techniques as invasive procedures.
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TAC remains committed to advocating for clear regulatory standards that prioritize patient safety and appropriately recognize the depth of training required for invasive needling techniques. We will continue to monitor legislative and regulatory developments and keep our community informed.
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Gratitude to Our Community
We extend our sincere appreciation to every practitioner, student, supporter, and community member who contributes to TAC’s mission. Your engagement—whether through advocacy, education, membership, or mentorship—strengthens our collective voice and advances acupuncture in Tennessee.
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Support TAC’s Work
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As we move into the new year, we invite you to support TAC through donations and active participation. Contributions—big or small—directly fund our legislative advocacy, educational programming, and professional resources. Every gift helps sustain and elevate our profession.
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Now until Jan 31st! We are excited to welcome acupuncturists and students to our Annual Meeting & Conference on March 7th in Chattanooga. This event offers:
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High-quality continuing education
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Opportunities to connect with colleagues and leaders
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Insight into advocacy efforts shaping acupuncture in Tennessee
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We encourage all members of our community to attend and be part of the conversation.
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Looking Ahead
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As we step into this new year, TAC remains steadfast in its mission to protect the practice of acupuncture, support practitioners, and uphold the highest standards of care for the patients we serve.
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Here’s to a year of clarity, collaboration, and continued growth.
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Chinese Medicine & Traumatology 101: Treating Injuries with External Application of Herbs
Featuring Dr. Jen Resnick, DAHM, L.Ac.
📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026
🕗 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET
📍 2158 Northgate Park #416, Chattanooga, TN 37415
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Early Bird Pricing (Dec. 1 – Jan. 31):
Regular Pricing:
🔹 TAC Members: $300
🔹 Non-Members: $325
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✨ All registrations include:
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ONE free month of TAC monthly membership or
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10% off TAC annual membership
(Valid for renewals OR new membership sign-ups!)
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🍱 Membership Meeting + Lunch & Learn (1–2 PM ET)
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Sponsored lunch provided by Golden Needle
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All event attendees automatically receive a lunch reservation.
The membership meeting is FREE to all TN Licensed Acupuncturists and students- If you are ONLY attending the membership meeting and lunch, please register so we can plan catering accordingly.
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We anticipate a buffet-style lunch with as many inclusive options as possible, but we cannot accommodate individual allergies or dietary restrictions. Please bring snacks if needed.
Water, coffee, and tea will be available.
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During the meeting, you’ll learn:
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TAC’s accomplishments from the past year
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Our goals for 2026
Your membership is essential to keeping acupuncture protected in Tennessee!
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🌟 Instructor Spotlight: Dr. Jen Resnick, DAHM, L.Ac.
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Dr. Resnick is a highly respected practitioner, educator, and clinician whose work bridges classical East Asian medicine with modern, hands-on therapeutic approaches. With decades of clinical experience, she is known for her clarity, depth of knowledge, and ability to translate complex theory into practical, immediately usable skills for practitioners.
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Her teaching is rooted in:
✨ Deep lineage-based understanding of classical Chinese medicine
✨ Clinical excellence in treating traumatic injuries, pain, and musculoskeletal conditions
✨ Expertise in external herbal applications, including liniments, gaos, poultices, and first-aid formulas
✨ Integrated manual therapy, including tui na, palpation-based diagnostics, and qi gong for tissue rehabilitation
✨ A whole-person, functional perspective on trauma, healing, and recovery
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Dr. Resnick is widely regarded for her engaging teaching style—clear, grounded, hands-on, and filled with clinical pearls that practitioners can implement immediately. Her courses consistently receive outstanding feedback for blending theory with high-level practicality.
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At this year’s conference, she will lead Chinese Medicine & Traumatology 101: Treating Injuries with External Application of Herbs, a full-day, case-based and hands-on immersion into the foundations of East Asian traumatology. Participants will leave with new diagnostic tools, refined manual skills, treatment strategies for each stage of injury, and a hand-crafted bottle of Die Da Jiu liniment made during the workshop.
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Whether you are early in your career or a seasoned practitioner, Dr. Resnick’s teaching will deepen your clinical approach and enrich the way you treat trauma and injury.
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Join us in welcoming Dr. Jen Resnick to Tennessee for this special event!
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📘 Course Description
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Chinese Medicine & Traumatology 101: Treating Injuries with External Application of Herbs
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Chinese medicine excels at treating traumatic injuries—especially in early stages where simple, precise interventions can dramatically speed recovery.
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This full-day training will guide practitioners through:
✔ Viewing traumatic injury through an EAM diagnostic lens
✔ Case-based clinical reasoning
✔ Targeted palpation
✔ Tui na and acupuncture strategies
✔ External herbal applications
✔ Tissue re-education through accessible qi gong
✔ Creating your own Die Da Jiu liniment to take home!
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🎯 Goals & Learning Outcomes
Participants will learn to:
• Understand trauma from an East Asian Medicine perspective
• Apply effective external herbal therapies for common injuries
• Integrate adjunctive techniques seldom covered in EAM school
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📚 Course Outline
🕘 9–10 AM – Principles of Treating Trauma
🕙 10–11 AM – Stages of Injury
🕚 11–12 PM – Case Studies (1st & 2nd Stage Injuries)
🕛 12–1 PM – Treatment of Sinew Injuries
🍱 1–2 PM – Lunch + FREE Membership Meeting (Sponsor Golden Needle)
🕑 2–3 PM – Case Studies (3rd Stage Injuries)
🕒 3–4 PM – Channel Pathology + Integrating Tui Na & Acupuncture
🕓 4–5 PM – Clinical External Applications First Aid Kit + Making Gao & Liniments
🕔 5–6 PM – Closing Discussion + Q&A
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🧪 Take-Home Bonus!
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Thank you to our sponsors:
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This brings together the energy of SPRING—Supporting our Practitioners through Research, Integration, Networking, & Growth—at the!
Just as the season brings renewed vitality, this conference is designed to cultivate your professional life. Immerse yourself in the latest Research driving our field forward, discover innovative strategies for Integration within modern healthcare, expand your professional circle through powerful Networking opportunities, and foster personal and clinical Growth.
Join your colleagues for an enriching experience that will rejuvenate your practice, inspire new perspectives, and ensure you are fully supported as you reach new heights in the art and science of acupuncture. Meet new friends and reconnect with those you know!
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Are you a current member of your state association?
In order to enjoy the full benefits of ASA membership, Licensed Acupuncturists and students must join an ASA member state association. If you are not sure, you can check at https://asacu.org/about-us/state-organizations/ to see if your state association is a member of ASA, remember, as long as your a member of that said state association--then you automatically gain membership with the ASA!
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What if my state is not a member of the ASA yet? If you practice or study in a state that is not an affiliate of the ASA, please encourage your state association to become one. In the meantime, consider joining another member state association to become a member of the ASA. Students are very welcome and encouraged to ask their schools about becoming members. If they are not members, please reach out to the state association you are thinking about practicing in after graduation. Visit our website to see a full map of member state associations and connect with them!
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End-of-Year Giving: Support TAC’s Mission
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Your support makes a difference! Help us build on our momentum by considering a year-end donation. Your contribution fuels advocacy, education, and community outreach initiatives for 2025.
Donate Now
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Check Out Our New Website!
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We’re excited to unveil the brand-new Tennessee Acupuncture Council website! Designed with you in mind, it’s now easier than ever to access resources, stay updated on events, and connect with our community. Explore educational tools, advocacy updates, and everything you need to stay informed about acupuncture in Tennessee.
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New Feature: Post Acupuncture Job Listings!
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Looking for skilled acupuncturists to join your practice? TAC now offers the ability to post acupuncture job openings on our website! This new feature helps connect employers with qualified professionals in our network, supporting the growth of the acupuncture community across Tennessee.
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