What’s the difference between a yoga therapist and a yoga instructor?
Yoga Therapist
Yoga Instructor
Audience
Work one-on-one and in group settings with clients in a therapeutic relationship.
Work with groups of people and teach general yoga classes.
Approach
Help clients address health concerns and achieve relief from physical and emotional pain through the practice of yoga. Helping clients to cultivate greater wellbeing through the practices of yoga.
Teach students how to perform yoga poses and practices.
Focus
Focus on the individual goals and needs of clients and use therapeutic practices tailored to mitigate symptoms, restore wellness, improve function, and avoid re-injury.
Focus on yoga poses and alignment, breathing, meditation, and relaxation for general maintenance of well-being and exercise.
Emphases
Emphasize personal empowerment of clients in self-care.
Emphasize correct yoga technique.
Progress
Measure the impact of therapy over time and adjust therapeutic practices based on clients’ progress.
Provide opportunities for the structured and regular personal practice of yoga.
Collaboration
Collaborate with other health care and medical practitioners to provide integrated care.
Collaborate with other yoga instructors in learning and designing classes.
Settings
Private practice, conventional health care and medical settings, hospitals and hospital systems, and health and wellness centers.
Yoga studios, fitness clubs, gyms, and corporate settings.
In the uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m often asked “how is work going?” This exchange usually leads to the person asking me: “How can your students do acupuncture via telehealth? You can’t needle someone through a screen.”
That statement highlights a widespread misconception of acupuncture. Most Americans don’t realize it is but one tool in a larger medicine; most think of acupuncture as “treatment with needles.” What else can an acupuncturist offer without their needles? The simple answer: A lot.
What I mean to say is that, students and practitioners of acupuncture therapy are also well-versed in many other holistic healing techniques that promote general well-being, alleviate stress, and may even help prevent acute and chronic disease.
From providing customized dietary advice, to private instructions on T’ai chi and other complementary medicine techniques, your acupuncturist can offer you so much on a telemedicine visit (even when you can’t get into the office for an acupuncture session). Keep reading to learn more about these techniques and how telehealth works.
What else can an acupuncturist offer without their needles?
Part of the underlying wisdom of Traditional Chinese medicine is its focus on self-care and health promotion. Acupuncture students are educated in movement therapy such as qi gong and T’ai chi; they can impart dietary advice; lead people through breathing exercises and body awareness techniques, and some can offer herbs. Additionally, students are able to guide patients through self-applied acupressure treatments.
Qi Gong
Qi gong (alternately, qigong, or “energy work”) is a mind/body practice that integrates posture, movement, breathing, touch, sound, and focused intent or mindfulness, according to the National Qigong Association. Like yoga, hundreds of qi gong styles and practices exist. Reported qigong benefits include improvements in both mental and physical health.
T’ai Chi
With roots in ancient China, T’ai Chi is an evidence-based, movement-based traditional mind/body technique that is easy to learn and requires no special equipment. You don’t even need a lot of space to learn or practice T’ai Chi, which makes it a fantastic tool to use during a telehealth appointment with a skilled instructor.
According to Mayo Clinic and other organizations, benefits of tai chi include reduced stress, improved balance, strength, and flexibility, and even reduced blood pressure.
Dietary Advice
You may have noticed so far that acupuncture therapy and associated techniques focus on both mind and body. Dietary advice from holistic providers rests on the same foundation. Acupuncture providers can use telehealth to share dietary advice that centers on enriching a person’s physical and mental energy through nutrient-dense, sustainable, and ethical foods and eating practices (e.g., mindful eating).
Breathing Exercises
We humans intuitively know how powerful the breath is—for instance, we often sigh or take a deep breath when stressed. Thanks to decades of scientific research, we now know why deep breathing can be so powerful and calming (Russo et al, 2017). Deep breathing exercises (which are easy to teach via telemedicine) quite literally activates the part of your nervous system that helps you relax, slow your heart rate, and lower your blood pressure.
Body Awareness Techniques
From progressive muscle relaxation to yoga nidra, body awareness techniques are an excellent way to help identify and alleviate negative emotions and release stored tension in the body. Life so often pulls us out of the present moment and back to worry about the future or past. By teaching you how to become more aware of your physical body, your acupuncture therapist can also help ground you into the powerful now.
Knowledge of Herbs
Practitioners of acupuncture therapy are also trained in the long-standing tradition of herbal medicine. Via telehealth, acupuncturists are able to suggest various remedies or blends that can address specific ailments and monitor the patient’s response to these remedies over time.
Self Acupressure
I believe that each one of us is the expert of our own body. To this end, self-acupressure can be a deeply enriching way to listen and respond to your body’s needs.
Acupressure is a manual technique you can use on yourself to relax muscles, alleviate trigger points, and in the traditional Chinese medicine tradition restore the flow of life energy, moving your body toward a state of well-being.
As is true for many of the other healing techniques already discussed, acupressure is safe, low cost, and easy to do and learn (especially when given real-time feedback from a skilled provider during a telehealth appointment).
Research Supporting these Techniques
It is also important to highlight the amount of established research supporting the effectiveness of these interventions. T’ai chi and qi gong have shown benefit in addressing some chronic pain conditions1 as well as improving health-related quality of life outcomes2. There is also emerging evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of qi gong to ease stress and anxiety3. Other self-care techniques and dietary advice has shown to empower patients to make healthy behavioral and lifestyle changes4.
One recent randomized controlled pilot study published in Pain Medicine (Murphy et al, 2019) even found that self-administered acupressure techniques were effective at alleviating chronic low back pain and reducing fatigue.
In my experience, these techniques often have a powerful synergistic effect on each other. That is, by utilizing them together (and in addition to other healthy lifestyle strategies) they become even more effective for the individual.
Conclusion
Both the global pandemic and the social justice movement are prompting many people to seek out health positive, health-promoting self-care techniques and information. Now more than ever it is important to turn to practitioners that have fundamental knowledge in medicines and techniques that have persisted for thousands of years. Medicines and techniques that have helped an untold number of people through similar times. I can’t think of a more important time to seek out an acupuncturist via a telehealth visit.
What we are really seeing in the research is simple yet profound:
Healthy lifestyle changes are essential for promoting improved quality of life, increased lifespan, and disease prevention. It’s no wonder the World Health Organization and other professional bodies recommend them so strongly. And as we continue to learn about t’ai chi, qi gong, acupressure, and other healing techniques, I’m hopeful we’ll see them incorporated more frequently into lifestyle modification programs.
And remember: if you’re not willing nor able to go to a provider’s clinic right now, you can still learn about these techniques from the comfort and privacy of your own home. Because pandemic or not, you deserve to be empowered with tools and strategies that can support your health needs and goals.
Frequently Asked Questions about Telehealth and Virtual Acupuncture
When Does Virtual Acupuncture Make Sense?
If you only think about acupuncture therapy as “needles in the skin,” then virtual acupuncture doesn’t make much sense at all. But students and practitioners of acupuncture are also trained in a broad range of other holistic healing techniques, many of which can be taught safely and effectively in the private and individualized setting of a telehealth visit.
How does telehealth work?
Broadly speaking, telehealth is the use of electronic and digital technology, including phone or video conferencing, to connect with a medical professional or wellness provider even when you are unable to be in the same location. Telehealth may include video conferencing, phone calls, texts, emails, chats, and other means of communication. Use these to talk to or even see your provider from the comfort of your own home!
Internet connectivity is required. Telehealth may work differently depending on your provider, location, or particular service you’re utilizing.
How much does telehealth cost?
Some research has found that telehealth visits cost less money than office visits, in some cases by almost two-thirds. This can vary significantly depending on your location, insurance provider, medical provider, and type of service you’re utilizing.
When deciding if the cost of telehealth is worth the investment, be sure to consider the unique convenience it offers. Since telehealth visits can be done almost anywhere with an internet connection, you can avoid hassles such as arranging childcare, getting time off work, and commuting to and from a clinic.
What’s Virtual Acupuncture Like?
A virtual acupuncture session can be very similar to acupuncture therapy sessions you may receive in-person at a clinic—minus the specific acupuncture modality. What is left to be shared via telehealth are all the other services and techniques an acupuncture therapist can provide in a one-on-one instructional setting: Tai Chi, qi gong, breathing exercises, and more.
Interested in working with an MUIH Acupuncturist via telehealth or in office at the Natural Care Center (NCC)? Visit our website, ncc.muih.edu or email the NCC at .
Sources:
Bai Z, Guan Z, Fan Y, et al. The effects of qigong for adults with chronic pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Chin Med 2015;43:1525–1539.
Kelley GA, Kelley KS. Meditative movement therapies and health-related quality-of-life in adults: A systematic review of meta-analyses. PLoS One 2015;10:e0129181.
Wang C-W, Chan C, Ho R, et al. Managing stress and anxiety through qigong exercise in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2014;14:8.
Harvie A, Steel A, Wardle J. Traditional Chinese Medicine Self-Care and Lifestyle Medicine Outside of Asia: A Systematic Literature Review. J Altern Complement Med. 2019;25(8):789-808. doi:10.1089/acm.2018.0520
Trusting the Experts – 3 Tips to Evaluating Integrative Health Information
Author: Daryl Nault
If you have ever attended an educational seminar, clinical workshop, or read an editorial written by a clinical professional, you’ve likely been exposed to expert advice. More than ever, experts may also share information online through blogs, vlogs, and even social media. Policymakers and the general public also place stock in expert advice, so it can also have considerable influence on public health measures too.
Expert advice (or opinion) generally refers to evidence, information, or guidance given by someone who’s work has made them an authority in their field. Clinical experts could be academics, specialists, or practicing clinicians, who have spent a considerable amount of time studying one area of interest. However, that doesn’t mean that everyone calling themselves an expert truly meets these criteria.
So, how do you know whether a piece of so-called expert advice is worth implementing in your practice?
When experts present valid, relevant, evidence-based information, it can be incredibly useful. Unfortunately, not all expert advice meets these criteria, so it is up to you to critically appraise the information being provided.
On the other hand, you may also find that others look to you for expert advice, and you want to be sure you’re giving valid and reliable information to them too. Luckily, the same appraisal guidelines can be broadly applied in both situations.
Whether you’re appraising or giving expert advice, your foremost concerns should be on three things: transparency, balance, and accessibility.
Transparency
Good expert advice should be clear on what is fact, and what is simply an opinion. If this is difficult to discern, proceed cautiously. Ideally, expert advice should only rarely be based on opinion, if at all. The information or facts being claimed should be well supported by relevant and applicable scientific evidence, rather than subjective findings like testimonials. The information provided should also be accurate and verifiable. If there is any question, check out similar resources. Do they align with what is being reported? If not, consider seeking out an additional reference or two to be sure.
You want to look for resources that are clear about the reason they are presenting the information. For example, the purpose of this resource is to provide a general guideline for a clinical audience in writing and appraising expert advice. At the end of this piece, we will also invite you to join us for a more comprehensive Professional and Continuing Education course if you would like to further improve your ability to write evidence-based information as an expert in your field.
Balance
Alternative viewpoints, limitations, and methodologies should be discussed. If the expert or website is only providing positive or negative evidence in support of their claims, important information is possibly being omitted. Clinical applications should also be considered. Providing warnings where a modality or treatment is not evidenced to work well, or caveats to seek out the advice of your medical practitioner, shows that the author understands the relationship between clinical application and research evidence.
This may go without saying, but the expert should have some authority in the field they are reporting on, and the credentials to match. No matter how expert someone is in a field though, they should never insist that their answer is the only answer available. Red flags should go up if the expert is not open to the possibility that they may be wrong, or if they expect others to follow their lead without question.
Accessibility
The advice should be intellectuallyaccessible for the target audience. Be aware when experts use overly technical or complex language. This could indicate poor communication skills at best, or at worst, it could be a sign that the authors are trying to obscure the details.
The evidence authors reference should also be physicallyaccessible to the intended audience. If the evidence being cited is entirely behind a paywall or otherwise inaccessible, readers are left without the ability to cross-reference the information being conveyed. Once information is no longer verifiable, and readers can only take the author’s word at face value.
Technically, anyone can call themselves an expert and give advice. As a clinician, others may naturally look to you to be the expert. Your clinical responsibility as an expert is to share information in a way that is transparent, balanced, and accessible.
Establish Yourself as a Credible Resource in Integrative Health
If you are looking to hone your evidence-based writing skills, you may be interested in our online, mentor-led Scientific Writing for Integrative HealthProfessional and Continuing Education course. This unique course is designed to help you improve the way you communicate evidence-based research with a lay or clinical audience, to help you become a trusted, educated, and authoritative resource for others in the field of integrative health.
Translating evidence-based health information is difficult, even for experienced health practitioners. Join this comprehensive six-module course with the support of an experienced mentor, and we’ll get you started in creating evidence-based compositions that you will be proud to share with your clinical community.
Investigating Public trust in Expert Knowledge: Narrative, Ethics, and Engagement. Journal of bioethical inquiry, 14(1), 23–30. doi:10.1007/s11673-016-9767-4
Massicotte A. (2015). When to trust health information posted on the Internet. Canadian pharmacists journal : CPJ = Revue des pharmaciens du Canada : RPC, 148(2), 61–63. doi:10.1177/1715163515569212.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Finding and Evaluating Online Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2019, from https://nccih.nih.gov/health/webresources
Nault, D., Beccia, A., Ito, H., Kashdan, S., & Senders, A. (2018). Health Information Discrepancies Between Internet Media and Scientific Papers Reporting on Omega-3 Supplement Research: Comparative Analysis. Interactive journal of medical research, 7(2), e15. doi:10.2196/ijmr.8981
Sbaffi, L., & Rowley, J. (2017). Trust and Credibility in Web-Based Health Information: A Review and Agenda for Future Research. Journal of medical Internet research, 19(6), e218. doi:10.2196/jmir.7579Camporesi, S., Vaccarella, M., & Davis, M. (2017).
Maryland University of Integrative Health and Instituto Salgado de Saúde Integral announce international partnership
Laurel, Md.— Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) and Instituto Salgado de Saúde Integral (Salgado Institute) announced today that they have signed an international health and wellness partnership agreement.
MUIH and Salgado Institute (Brazil) have entered into this partnership with the shared goal of working across international borders to positively impact the health and wellness of individuals and communities. Plans include collaboration on a variety of initiatives including educational programs, research, and health promotion.
Among the first collaborations was MUIH’s participation in Salgado Institute’s International Congress on Integrative Health Therapies in October 2019 (https://ihtcongress.org). The Congress provided a review of evidence-based integrative approaches to health through a program developed in collaboration with European, North and South American integrative therapy universities, institutes and professional associations. MUIH’s Marlysa Sullivan, associate professor of yoga therapy, presented her work on the role of yoga therapy in pain management. Rebecca Pille, chair of MUIH’s health and wellness coaching department, spoke about the benefits of health and wellness coaching in integrative health practices and settings.
“We are excited to begin a partnership with the Salgado Institute, and we look forward to learning from the unique expertise of Salgado’s scientists, practitioners, and educators. By sharing and combining our perspectives, we hope to enhance health and wellness practices in both North and South America,” says Marc Levin, MUIH’s president and CEO.
“It is truly a blessing to work with such an amazing institution and excellent group of professionals. We consider it a great opportunity for our students and professors to network with peers, learn and teach about integrative health therapies,” says Afonso Salgado, Salgado’s Institute founder and CEO.
About Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH)
Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) is a leading academic institution focused on the study and practice of integrative health and wellness and one of the few universities in the U.S. dedicated solely to such practices. Deeply rooted in a holistic philosophy, its model for integrative health and wellness is grounded in whole-person, relationship-centered, evidence-informed care.
Since 1974, MUIH has been a values driven community educating practitioners and professionals to become future health and wellness leaders through transformative programs grounded in traditional wisdom and contemporary science. MUIH has more than 20 progressive, graduate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines, offered on-campus and online. In the on-campus Natural Care Center and community outreach settings, MUIH provides compassionate and affordable healthcare from student interns and professional practitioners, which delivers more than 20,000 clinical treatments and consultations each year. For more information visit www.muih.edu.
About Instituto Salgado de Saúde Integral (Salgado Institute)
Instituto Salgado de Saúde Integral (Salgado Institute) is the largest integrative health school in Brazil and is composed by clinicians and researchers in many health-related areas sharing the same view, to promote excellence in knowledge and patient care, evidence-based information, innovative trainings and workshops in Brazil as well as overseas. Salgado Institute is the result of more than 30 years of acquired knowledge and professional expansion engagement of its founders Afonso and Nilma Salgado. For more information, please visit http://integralhealthbrazil.com.
Maryland University of Integrative Health’s Natural Care Center introduces a new collaboration with the Claudia Mayer/Tina Broccolino Cancer Resource Center at Howard County General Hospital. The expanded range of therapies will support members in the local community, including cancer patients.
“One of the most beneficial aspects of the Natural Care Center is its deep connection to the Howard County community,” said Dr. Michelle McNear, Ph.D., director of the Natural Care Center. “We’re excited to bring our integrative health services to those in need of ways to manage chronic pain and other chronic conditions such as cancer treatment.”
Services available in the center at Howard County General Hospital include:
· Acupuncture
· Clinical nutrition
· Massage therapy
For more than 40 years, the Natural Care Center at Maryland University of Integrative Health has provided powerful, meaningful, and effective healing experiences for patients and clients that arrive with a wide array of health challenges.
About Maryland University of Integrative Health
Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) is a leading academic institution focused on the study and practice of integrative health and wellness and one of the few universities in the U.S. dedicated solely to such practices. Deeply rooted in a holistic philosophy, its model for integrative health and wellness is grounded in whole-person, relationship-centered, evidence-informed care.
Since 1974, MUIH has been a values driven community educating practitioners to become future health and wellness leaders through transformative programs grounded in traditional wisdom and contemporary science. MUIH has more than 20 progressive, graduate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines, offered on-campus and online. In the on-campus Natural Care Center and community outreach settings, MUIH provides compassionate and affordable healthcare from student interns and professional practitioners, which delivers more than 20,000 clinical treatments and consultations each year.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) announced some historic and exciting news: In CMS’ January 21st decision memo it formally announced it would reimburse acupuncture for chronic low back pain for Medicare recipients. This is a significant milestone on the path to getting acupuncture widely recognized for its ability to help the public with a persistent and difficult chronic condition. The fact that CMS, one of the largest federal agencies, has acknowledged the effectiveness of acupuncture holds promise for patients and acupuncturists.
CMS included licensed acupuncturists as one of the providers under its “auxiliary personnel” clause. This is currently the only way CMS could include acupuncturists as they are not listed as an approved provider of Medicare services in the Social Security Act (SSA). CMS used the avenue available to it at this time to include acupuncturists and acupuncture services in Medicare.
Acupuncturists will be allowed to provide these services under the “appropriate level” of supervision by either a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist. While this is not ideal, it is still a step in the right direction as the supervision is not required to be “direct”, and again this reflects the SSA limitations CMS is working within. As the American Society of Acupuncturists highlighted in their press release regarding CMS’ decision:
This first step provides the most advantageous way under the current law to provide acupuncture to more Medicare recipients, recognize and include acupuncturists, and further elevate acupuncture as an effective treatment for chronic low back pain which, when not appropriately addressed, can lead to opioid misuse and addiction.
MUIH will continue to lend its support to efforts – big and small – that ensure the public has access to effective health and wellness opportunities and its graduates have a robust and fulfilling professional environment to step into when they graduate.
Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) is pleased to announce that it is proudly participating in the 27th annual NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo on January 18 and 19, 2020 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. According to event organizer Network Events, Inc., this event is the largest consumer wellness expo in the country with 85,000 attendees every year. Free to all, the hands-on exposition offers information on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle with forums on healthy cooking, exercise, and activities for children.
“MUIH’s passion and top priority is improving and advancing the field of integrative health and wellness in ways that will positively impact the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities,” says Marc Levin, president and CEO of MUIH. “The NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo is the perfect place for MUIH to share this approach directly with members of our regional community. We look forward to exhibiting alongside the area’s premier leaders in health, lifestyle, fitness, and wellness.”
MUIH will be exhibiting at booth #1247 and will be offering free auricular acupuncture to expo attendees. The University will also be showcasing services available at their on-campus Natural Care Center. The Natural Care Center at MUIH houses both supervised student clinicians and private practitioners and provides powerful, meaningful, and effective healing experiences for patients and clients that arrive with a wide array of health challenges. Visitors to MUIH’s booth will be invited to enter a raffle for a gift basket that includes a non-toxic Manduka® yoga mat, MUIH branded merchandise, and more.
Laurel, MD – Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) is pleased to announce its new partnership agreement with the Holistic Chamber of Commerce. MUIH and the Holistic Chamber of Commerce have entered into this educational partnership with the shared goals of promoting holistic and natural health and wellness approaches. MUIH will support the Chamber’s 1,500 members and seventy chapters throughout North America, including three chapters in Maryland, through on-campus and online continuing education courses and programs.
“MUIH is the perfect partner for the Holistic Chamber of Commerce,” says Camille Leon, Founder and CEO of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce. “We have a large number of professionals seeking continuing education and the quality coursework and instructors here provide what our members need. As we come together in partnerships like this, we raise the standard of integrity and professionalism we bring to the work we do. I see association with MUIH as a natural partnership for our vibrant and growing holistic business community.” With over 9 years’ experience guiding the Holistic Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Leon brings a clear vision of growth and expansion in support of HCC members and the communities we live in.
Beth Romanski, Director of Professional and Continuing Education at MUIH, adds, “We are delighted to collaborate with the Holistic Chamber of Commerce and provide our Professional and Continuing Education offerings. It’s our mission as an institution to support the personal and professional endeavors of holistic health providers by providing high-quality educational opportunities to advance their credentials and add value to their practice. It’s an exciting time to be engaged in the field of complementary and integrative health as leaders in the wellness revolution and there is always more to learn!”
About Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH)
Maryland University of Integrative Health is a leading academic institution focused on the study and practice of integrative health and wellness and one of the few universities in the U.S. dedicated solely to such practices. Deeply rooted in a holistic philosophy, its model for integrative health and wellness is grounded in whole-person, relationship-centered, evidence-informed care.
Since 1974, MUIH has been a values-driven community educating practitioners to become future health and wellness leaders through transformative programs grounded in traditional wisdom and contemporary science. MUIH has more than 20 progressive, graduate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines, offered on-campus and online. In the on-campus Natural Care Center and community outreach settings, MUIH provides compassionate and affordable healthcare from student interns and professional practitioners, which delivers more than 20,000 clinical treatments and consultations each year. For more information visit www.muih.edu.
About Holistic Chamber of Commerce
The Holistic Chamber of Commerce is an international organization which serves as a bridge bringing consumers together with high-quality holistic, natural and eco-friendly options for health and wellness, lifestyle and business. For more information on the Holistic Chamber of Commerce or to find a Member near you, visit https://HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Larsen
410-888-9048 ext. 6763
MUIH is pleased to announce that we have recently joined AmazonSmile! AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support MUIH every time you shop, at no cost to you. By designating MUIH as your charitable organization on AmazonSmile, you’ll be supporting our community and our mission to promote integrative health and wellness across the globe!
Can you relate to a time of transition in your life? Read new blog posting about Transition is Growth by our Associate Vice President of Student and Alumni Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer, Tita Gray, Ed.D, MBA.
