ATCMA
Acupuncture for Mental Health: A Natural Path to Emotional Well-Being
Mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep challenges affect many Canadians, leading more people to explore complementary approaches to wellness. In this article, ATCMA board member, Sam Sandhu, explains how acupuncture can support emotional well-being by helping regulate the nervous system, promote relaxation, improve sleep quality, and contribute to a more balanced and resilient state of health.
Canadians Want Change in Health Care. Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Be Part of the Solution.
A new national survey shows that Canadians want meaningful health system change, including better access to care, shorter wait times, and greater use of qualified healthcare professionals. This article explores how Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners and acupuncturists can help meet those goals through preventive care, patient education, pain management, and collaborative healthcare models, while highlighting key policy changes that could strengthen access to TCM services in British Columbia.
Business Tips for Traditional Chinese Medicine Professionals: Helping Patients Understand the Return on Investment of Preventive Acupuncture Care
In this article, Dr. Chris Vallee explores how TCM practitioners can help patients understand the long-term return on investment of preventive acupuncture by emphasizing wellness, early intervention, and the benefits of maintaining health before problems become more serious. Through education and personalized care planning, practitioners can help patients see acupuncture as an investment in their ongoing well-being.
Advocacy Matters: Building on Decades of Progress for TCM and Acupuncture in British Columbia
Many of the advances that TCM and acupuncture practitioners benefit from today did not happen by chance—they were achieved through years of advocacy and professional engagement. Dr. Vallee, ATCMA's president, recently presented to the BC government's budget committee on behalf of the TCM profession.
ICBC and WorkSafeBC: Understanding First Payer Responsibilities After a Workplace Motor Vehicle Crash
ATCMA is sharing an important clarification for practitioners treating patients injured in motor vehicle crashes while working. This blog outlines when WorkSafeBC is considered the first payer, when ICBC may provide secondary coverage, and practical intake questions clinics can use to help avoid billing delays and confusion for patients.
What is Heat and Fire in Chinese Medicine
This article explores the concept of “heat” in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and its role in the disease process. Building on the previous discussion of dampness, it explains how heat—often comparable to inflammation in Western Medicine—is understood in TCM as both a chronic and acute condition, with important distinctions between “deficiency heat” and “excess heat.” The article examines how these patterns relate to immune function, infection, autoimmune conditions, and chronic illness, while highlighting the more individualized and dynamic approach TCM takes in understanding and treating inflammation-related conditions.
ATCMA Advocacy and Profession Update
Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture in British Columbia continue to face significant regulatory, professional, and healthcare system changes. As these conversations evolve, the ATCMA remains actively engaged in advocacy, collaboration, education, and member support to help strengthen and advance the profession. Below are some of the key areas we are currently focused on.
Your ICBC Questions Answered
Ahead of the 2026 Qi Conference, the ATCMA invited TCM professionals across BC to submit questions through our member survey. While many were answered during the live ICBC session, time limitations meant not all questions could be addressed. To provide further clarity, the ATCMA worked with ICBC to compile responses to the remaining questions in this Q&A.
ATCMA Survey May 2026 Scope of Practice and Regulations
ATCMA is inviting TCM practitioners in BC to complete a survey on the recent HPOA regulatory changes and their impact on practice, costs, and scope. The feedback will help guide future advocacy efforts and support discussions with government and stakeholders. Please complete the survey by May 30, 2026.