AHCI Grand Rounds: 06-17-2026 Acupuncture


AHCI Grand Rounds: 06-17-2026 Acupuncture Banner

Successful Completion

Date & Location
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 8:00 AM - Wednesday, June 16, 2027, 9:00 AM

Target Audience
Specialties - Oncology
Professions - Acupuncturist, Licensed Practical Nurse, Non-Physician, Nurse Practitioner, Physician, Physician Assistant, Registered Nurse

Overview

AHCI Grand Rounds presentation 6/17/2026. Expires 6/16/2027. Duration = 58 minutes.

Matthew Peterson, M.OM., Dipl. OM, L.Ac., describes acupuncture as an evidence-informed, low-risk integrative modality that can be incorporated across the oncology care continuum to improve symptom control and quality of life for patients with cancer. He outlines its dual mechanistic framework, including local effects such as activation of peripheral nociceptors, modulation of connective tissue, and reduction of inflammatory mediators, as well as central nervous system effects involving endogenous opioid release and neurochemical signaling along spinal and hypothalamic-pituitary pathways. He explains how acupuncture restores physiologic balance (homeostasis) by regulating functional patterns described as qi and blood, enabling individualized, symptom-based treatment strategies from a traditional East Asian medicine perspective. He covers that safety is well established with standardized clean needle techniques, with most adverse events being minor and rare serious complications when performed by trained clinicians; oncology-specific precautions include assessment of hematologic status, treatment timing relative to chemotherapy, and avoidance of compromised tissues. He details how evidence from randomized trials, meta-analyses, and ASCO Society for Integrative Oncology guidelines supports acupuncture for cancer-related symptoms such as pain, aromatase inhibitor induced arthralgias, neuropathy, nausea, fatigue, vasomotor symptoms, xerostomia, and psychological distress, while implementation models and clinical practice emphasize individualized treatment plans, multidisciplinary coordination, and awareness of referral pathways and insurance considerations to expand access to integrative oncology care.


Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, learners will be able to:

  1. Describe the dual framework understanding of acupuncture, including both traditional East Asian medicine concepts (e.g., qi, yin yang, functional pattern diagnosis) and modern biomedical mechanisms (e.g., nociceptor stimulation, endogenous opioid release, neuroimmune modulation).
  2. Explain the proposed mechanisms of action of acupuncture, distinguishing local tissue effects (connective tissue signaling, neurotransmitter modulation) from central nervous system responses (hypothalamic pituitary axis activation, endorphin and endocannabinoid release).
  3. Evaluate the clinical evidence supporting acupuncture in oncology care, including its role in managing cancer and treatment related symptoms such as pain, aromatase inhibitor induced arthralgias, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, nausea, fatigue, and vasomotor symptoms.
  4. Identify appropriate patient selection, safety considerations, and contraindications for acupuncture in oncology populations, including assessment of hematologic parameters, treatment timing, infection risk, lymphedema precautions, and coordination with multidisciplinary care teams.
  5. Integrate acupuncture into an evidenceinformed, multidisciplinary oncology care model, including understanding referral pathways, treatment planning, and practical considerations such as insurance coverage, documentation, and its role within integrative oncology frameworks.

Credits
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (1.00 hours), American Nurses Credentialing Center (1.00 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (1.00 hours)

Accreditation

Allina Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Allina Health is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 


Additional Information

CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations received in writing no less than 10 days prior to the course start date are eligible for a full refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after the 10-day deadline. If an emergency arises after the activity syllabus or presentation materials have been made available to you, a 50% refund will be granted. All cancellation requests must be sent to [email protected].

Allina Health reserves the right to cancel or postpone this program if necessary; in the event of cancellation, course fees will be fully refunded. We are not responsible for other costs incurred such as non-refundable airline tickets or hotel penalties.


ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
Allina Health Office of Accreditation is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.  If you have needs that require special accommodation, including dietary concerns, please contact the CME Conference Coordinator.

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