Dr. Amy Mager joins The Elevated Practice Podcast to share a rare perspective shaped by decades of clinical work supporting patients at two profound transitions: birth and end-of-life. Through her experiences in acupuncture and Chinese medicine, Dr. Mager reflects on what it truly means to practice with compassion, clarity, and professional responsibility.

With more than 40 years in practice and over 20 years in state and national leadership, Dr. Mager breaks down the real-world frameworks every acupuncturist must navigate: advocacy, networking, referrals, and understanding your scope of practice. She explains why knowing your practice act matters, how strong professional relationships improve patient care, and what it takes to build lasting value and confidence as a provider.

The conversation also tackles one of the most common (and confusing) questions patients ask: “What about dry needling?” Dr. Mager walks us through the history of dry needling, how it impacts the profession, and exactly how to respond when patients say they’re considering dry needling with a physical therapist.

Finally, Dr. Mager offers a clear call to action: get involved. She outlines why participation in state organizations is essential for protecting the profession, shaping policy, and strengthening our collective voice. Whether you’re newly licensed, a seasoned practitioner, or even a student, this episode will leave you with practical steps to improve your care, grow your confidence, and help elevate acupuncture as a respected medical profession.

Find more about Dr. Amy Mager at:

wellnesshousenorthampton.com

Produced by Handcraft Health

We proudly produce and sponsor this podcast to give back to the practitioner community by documenting the voices and stories of those who have contributed so much to medicine, and by sharing wisdom that strengthens the profession.

Create a Free Account

https://handcrarft.health

Dr. Thomas Avery Garran brings his unique background researching, growing, farming, and processing herbal medicine in China to this discussion of considerations for cultivation and processing of Chinese herbs in North America . Dr Garran is one of a handful of individuals involved with spearheading research in the domestic production of Chinese Herbal medicine, and he discusses challenges of scaling herbal production, the importance of growing conditions, and the need for research into the chemistry of domestically grown herbs, along with the significance of Daodi practices and the potential for domestic herbal medicine to thrive with the right resources and community involvement.

You’ll learn about the history and conditions of herbal cultivation and processing in China, the challenges of replicating those conditions here in the states, and what considerations must be accounted for when considering how to scale domestic herbal production. Dr Garran explains the similarity of cultivating medicinal herbs to painstakingly producing a fine wine, and the importance of terroir. You’ll learn why it’s not easy to just throw some seeds in the ground and produce consistent herbal medicine. Dr Garran even shares some surprising examples of unique knowledge necessary for processing each species.

This interview not only highlights the potential strategies for growing Chinese Herbs in the States, but also takes the listener on Dr Garran’s journey from clinician and student to researcher, farmer, and teacher, aligning his life through the decades with the plant kingdom. It is impossible to complete listening to this interview without gaining some insight and shared reverence for the awesomeness of plants.

Learn more about Thomas Avery Garran PhD:

https://herb-whisperer.com/about/thomas_avery_garran

Thank you to our sponsor ⁠Handcraft Health⁠ for sponsoring and producing our podcast!

Create a ⁠free account here⁠!

https://app.handcraft.health/

Did our ancestors treat spooky ghost possession? And how creepy are Gu? Just in time for Halloween, in this episode, Dr. Lorraine Wilcox takes Gretchen down a path interweaving metaphysical beliefs with creepy crawly bodily infestations as they travel two millennia back in time to understand the historical and cultural significance of Ghosts and Gu in East Asian medicine. Did all doctors believe in ghosts? And how does someone know if they’re infested with Gu?

Lorraine and Gretchen explore the origins of these concepts, their evolution over time, and how they intersect with traditional healing practices. The conversation delves into the role of ancestors, the definition of Gu, and the surprising gender dynamics surrounding these beliefs. They discuss historical treatments and modern interpretations of Gu since the Ming and Qing dynasties, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of these ancient ideas in contemporary society, and explore Gu’s intersection with ghostly beliefs. They discuss the role of women in traditional medicine, and how cultural interpretations and social norms shape our understanding of mental illness and aberrant behavior. Lorraine even shares stories where doctors pondered how to deal with patients who dreamed about risqué interactions with ghosts!

As is her specialty, Lorraine gives illuminating scholarly insight into ancient practices and takes us on a journey leading to modern medical contexts, emphasizing the importance of preserving historical knowledge while adapting it for contemporary use.

Learn more about Dr. Wilcox on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LorraineWilcox/videos

Thank you to our sponsor ⁠Handcraft Health⁠ for sponsoring and producing our podcast!

Create a ⁠free account here⁠!

https://app.handcraft.health/