About Acupuncture Care Alliance
Acupuncture Care Alliance (ACA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public‑benefit organization conducting community‑based research in acupuncture, herbal medicine, and related alternative medicine practices. Our focus is noncommercial, open, and practical evidence—so educators, collaborators, and communities can consider real‑world findings when discussing access, equity, methods, policy, and insurance coverage for acupuncture.
What we do
- Design and conduct nonprofit studies in community settings across Southern California
- Use pre‑specified, validated measures for participant‑reported outcomes and feasibility
- Prioritize inclusion, reproducibility, and transparent reporting
- Share results via preprints, publications, and accessible summaries when feasible
- Policy and coverage: share standardized, open evidence that can inform payers and policymakers and support responsible expansion of insurance coverage for acupuncture
What we don’t do
- We do not provide individualized medical care or medical advice
- We do not make diagnosis, cure, or treatment claims
- Participation is strictly for research and evaluation under appropriate oversight
Note: Individuals should consult their licensed clinicians for care decisions. ACA’s activities are limited to research, evaluation, and public‑benefit education.
Scope of Research: Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, and Alternative Medicine
ACA studies traditional practices as they are used in community contexts. We emphasize standardized documentation, participant‑reported outcomes, and feasibility rather than individualized recommendations. Modalities may include:
- Acupuncture: pragmatic or standardized protocols and session‑level data capture
- Herbal medicine: documentation of standardized botanical formulas, adherence, and safety reporting
- Gua sha and cupping: feasibility, protocol fidelity, and participant‑reported experience
- Moxibustion and acupressure: procedure documentation and outcomes tracking
- Related alternative medicine practices: inclusion based on research questions and feasibility
- Open‑science methods: transparent protocols, pre‑registration where appropriate
ACA does not provide individualized prescriptions or clinical guidance. Studies focus on measurement, feasibility, and equity in nonclinical, community‑based settings.
Research Questions We Explore
- How feasible is standardized data collection in community environments?
- Which participant‑reported outcomes are most practical to track over time?
- What are patterns of adherence and retention in real‑world workflows?
- How can recruitment and participation be more inclusive and representative?
- Which documentation approaches best support reproducibility and transparency?
Methods, Measures, and Implementation
Study design and methods
- Observational cohorts: prospective, community‑based tracking
- Pragmatic designs: aligned with real‑world workflows and documentation
- Implementation research: feasibility, fidelity, and quality improvement
- Mixed methods: quantitative outcomes with optional qualitative feedback
Measurement framework
- Participant‑reported outcomes: pain interference, function, sleep, stress, quality of life
- Feasibility metrics: adherence, retention, protocol fidelity, data completeness
- Session‑level fields: timing, frequency, standardized notes
- Equity metrics: inclusive recruitment and representation tracking
Instruments and analysis plans are pre‑specified where feasible. Findings are disseminated through open channels to support public‑interest learning and replication.
Ethics, Governance, and Transparency
- Oversight: independent review (e.g., IRB) as applicable; privacy‑by‑design approaches
- Data protection: de‑identification and secure handling for research data
- Conflict of interest: FCOI Policy (PDF) aligned with 42 CFR Part 50 Subpart F
- Open science: protocol transparency, preprints, publications, and accessible summaries
ACA is a nonprofit research organization. We do not provide medical treatment or individualized advice; participation is for research and evaluation only.
Access, Policy, and Insurance Coverage for Acupuncture
ACA shares transparent, real‑world evidence that can inform access, equity, methods, policy, and insurance coverage for acupuncture. By reporting participant‑reported outcomes, feasibility, protocol fidelity, and standardized documentation, we aim to support payers and policymakers with practical, reproducible information. Our work is noncommercial and focused on public benefit.
- Standardized, reproducible reporting to support fair evaluation
- Feasibility and fidelity data to understand real‑world implementation
- Equity‑minded inclusion strategies to improve representation
- Open‑science practices that increase transparency and trust
Note: ACA does not provide individualized medical care, prescriptions, or medical advice. Participation is for research and evaluation only.
Leadership & Organizational Structure
ACA follows independent oversight and maintains a publicly posted Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) policy to support transparency and objectivity. See our FCOI Policy (PDF).
- FCOI Official: Haven Hau Tran — please use our contact form for governance inquiries
- Board oversight: Disinterested board member(s) may review management plans and compliance updates
- Collaborations: ACA partners with organizations committed to research ethics, data quality, and public benefit
Inclusion and Community Partnerships
Community‑based research benefits from partnerships that reduce barriers to participation. ACA works to improve representation and access by using mobile data‑collection strategies, plain‑language materials, and flexible scheduling when feasible.
- Recruitment collaborations with community organizations
- Participant‑first documentation workflows
- Transparent reporting to support replication and policy discussions
Key Terms We Use in Research
- Participant‑Reported Outcomes (PROs): measures completed by participants about their experiences (e.g., function, sleep, stress)
- Feasibility: practicality of study procedures such as recruitment, adherence, and data capture
- Implementation fidelity: consistency of protocols and documentation as planned
- Open science: transparency in protocols, analysis plans, and dissemination
- Community‑based research: studies designed for real‑world settings outside large academic centers
Acupuncture Care Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your donation is tax‑deductible to the extent allowed by law. Tax ID (EIN): 33‑4684226
Contact the Research & Development Team
For research partnerships, participation interest, media, or donations:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ACA a clinic? Does it provide medical treatment or advice?
No. ACA is a nonprofit research organization. We do not provide individualized medical care or medical advice. Participation is for research and evaluation only. Individuals should consult their licensed clinicians for care decisions.
Which practices are included in ACA’s research scope?
Our scope includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, and related alternative medicine practices such as gua sha, cupping, moxibustion, and acupressure. Studies emphasize measurement and feasibility rather than personalized recommendations.
How does ACA ensure research quality and ethics?
ACA uses pre‑specified protocols, validated measures, independent oversight (e.g., IRB), privacy protections, and open‑science dissemination when feasible.
How does ACA contribute to insurance coverage discussions for acupuncture?
ACA shares transparent, real‑world research on participant‑reported outcomes, feasibility, and protocol fidelity. These data can inform payers and policymakers when evaluating insurance coverage criteria and reimbursement decisions. ACA does not provide clinical services or personalized recommendations.
Where does ACA conduct research?
Across Southern California in community settings using mobile, standardized data collection approaches.
How are donations used?
Donations support study design and operations, privacy/security practices, open‑science dissemination, and inclusion partnerships.