Nonprofit, Community‑Based Research in Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Gua Sha, Cupping, and Alternative Medicine
Acupuncture Care Alliance (ACA) advances public‑interest evidence through nonprofit studies. We evaluate real‑world outcomes, feasibility, protocol fidelity, and inclusion for traditional practices in community settings across Southern California. We share transparent findings that can inform access, equity, methods, policy, and insurance coverage for acupuncture.
Explore Our Mission Contact Research TeamWe follow open‑science practices and protect privacy. ACA does not provide individualized medical care or medical advice; participation is for research and evaluation only.
Mobile Research
Community‑based data collection and standardized protocols deployed in real‑world settings.
Implementation
Feasibility, fidelity, and data‑quality methods that support reproducibility and scale‑up.
Inclusion & Access
Partnerships that reduce barriers to participation and expand representation.
Open Science
Pre‑specified measures, transparent methods, and dissemination via preprints and publications.
Our Mission at a Glance
ACA generates practical, noncommercial evidence on acupuncture, herbal medicine, and related traditional practices including gua sha, cupping, moxibustion, and acupressure. We study participant‑reported outcomes and feasibility in community environments, and we share results to inform education, methods, policy, and coverage discussions.
- Public benefit research: nonprofit, IRB‑overseen studies
- Validated measures: pre‑specified instruments and analysis plans
- Transparency: open‑science, preprints, and publications where feasible
- Policy and coverage: real‑world evidence that can inform payers and policymakers regarding insurance coverage for acupuncture
- Governance: publicly posted Financial Conflict of Interest policy
Research Focus: Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, and Related Practices
Acupuncture Research
Studies examine pragmatic or standardized protocols as used in community settings. Questions include feasibility, adherence, data capture, and participant‑reported changes in domains such as pain interference, function, sleep, stress, and quality of life.
- Protocol fidelity and session‑level documentation
- Timing, frequency, and data completeness
- Participant‑reported outcomes and daily function
- Equity and access in community locations
Herbal Medicine Research
Research may document standardized botanical formulas or community‑guided use, track adherence and perceived effects, and include safety monitoring. ACA does not offer individualized prescriptions or medical advice.
- Standardized vs pragmatic documentation of herbal use
- Adherence patterns and perceived outcomes reporting
- Safety signals, governance, and documentation
- Inclusive sampling and community engagement
Gua Sha and Cupping
Traditional practices evaluated for feasibility and participant‑reported experience. Outcomes may include comfort, perceived recovery, and activity readiness. No individualized recommendations are provided.
- Protocol consistency and training materials
- Participant‑reported comfort and tolerance
- Feasibility of follow‑up measures
- Transparent methods for reproducibility
Moxibustion and Acupressure
Session‑level documentation and standardized notes in community environments, focusing on measurement and data quality rather than personalized guidance.
- Session timing, duration, and documentation fields
- Adherence and retention patterns
- Participant‑reported daily activities and function
- Open‑science reporting standards
Note: ACA does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Participation is for research and evaluation only; individuals should consult licensed clinicians for care.
Study Designs and Methods
- Observational cohorts: prospective, community‑based outcomes tracking
- Pragmatic studies: methods aligned with real‑world workflows
- Implementation research: feasibility, fidelity, and quality improvement
- Mixed methods: quantitative measures with optional qualitative feedback
- Standardized reporting: session‑level fields and consistent data definitions
- Participant‑reported outcomes: validated instruments where feasible
- Privacy by design: de‑identification and security practices
- Open science: pre‑registration, preprints, and accessible summaries
Measurement Framework
We emphasize participant‑reported outcomes and standardized session‑level documentation. Validated instruments are used where appropriate, alongside feasibility metrics to evaluate data quality in real‑world settings.
- Pain intensity and interference (participant‑reported)
- Daily function, mobility, and activity readiness
- Sleep, stress, energy, and perceived recovery
- Quality of life and self‑reported well‑being
- Feasibility, fidelity, adherence, and retention
- Session‑level fields, timing, and documentation
- Data completeness and reproducibility
- Inclusion and representation tracking
Instruments and plans are pre‑specified when feasible. Results are shared to support methods development and transparent discussion; no individualized clinical conclusions are offered.
Data Governance, Ethics, and Transparency
- Ethical oversight: IRB‑overseen protocols as applicable
- Privacy: de‑identification and secure handling of research data
- FCOI policy: publicly posted to support transparency and trust
- Open dissemination: preprints, peer‑review, and accessible summaries
ACA is a nonprofit research organization and does not provide personalized medical advice or treatment. Participation is entirely for research and evaluation.
Where We Conduct Research
ACA runs community‑based research throughout Southern California using standardized, mobile data collection approaches.
- Los Angeles County
- Orange County
- San Bernardino County
Why Community‑Based Research Matters
Community‑based research generates evidence that reflects real‑world conditions. In studies of acupuncture, herbal medicine, gua sha, cupping, moxibustion, and acupressure, everyday factors like scheduling, transportation, and documentation impact data quality and outcomes reporting. By designing measurement around these realities, we support equitable participation and more generalizable results.
- Real‑world feasibility and participant‑centered workflows
- Inclusive sampling across neighborhoods and communities
- Transparent methods to aid replication and learning
- Noncommercial goals focused on public benefit
Access, Policy, and Insurance Coverage for Acupuncture
ACA shares transparent, real‑world findings that can inform access 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 evidence. Our nonprofit research is noncommercial and focused on public benefit; ACA does not provide individualized medical care or medical advice.
- 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’s activities are limited to research and evaluation. Individuals should consult licensed clinicians for care decisions.
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
Does ACA provide medical treatment, herbal consultations, or medical advice?
No. ACA is a nonprofit research organization. We do not provide individualized medical care, prescriptions, or medical advice. Participation is for research and evaluation only. Individuals should consult their licensed clinicians for care decisions.
Which traditional practices are included in ACA research?
Research may include acupuncture, herbal medicine, gua sha, cupping, moxibustion, and acupressure. Studies are designed around measurement, feasibility, and transparent methods, without individualized recommendations or clinical claims.
How are donations used?
Donations support nonprofit studies (design, data collection, analysis), oversight and privacy practices, open‑science dissemination (preprints/publications), and inclusion partnerships.
How can my organization partner with ACA?
We collaborate with universities, community organizations, and research‑minded sites for participant recruitment, data collection, and methodology development. Contact us to discuss feasibility and ethics requirements.
Does ACA publish results?
Yes. We prioritize registered protocols, preprints, peer‑reviewed publications, and—when allowed—de‑identified data sharing to accelerate learning and public benefit.
Where can I find ACA’s research policies?
ACA maintains a publicly accessible Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) policy to support transparency and compliance. See our FCOI Policy.