02/02/2026
As we honor Black History Month, I want to take a moment to reflect on a lesser-known but powerful connection between Black liberation movements and acupuncture—and why it feels especially meaningful as I approach graduation with my Doctorate in Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAcCHM).
In the 1970s, members of the Black Panther Party helped introduce acupuncture into Black and Brown communities in the U.S. through community-based health clinics.
At a time when access to healthcare was limited and mistrust of medical institutions was high (for very real reasons), acupuncture was used as a tool for healing, pain relief, addiction recovery, and community empowerment.
This work emphasized something I deeply believe in: Health is not just personal—it’s political, cultural, and communal.
Acupuncture wasn’t framed as “alternative.”
It was practical. Accessible. Grounded in care for the people.
As a Black woman nearing completion of my doctoral training in acupuncture and herbal medicine, I stand on the shoulders of those who believed our communities deserved more options, more autonomy, and more dignity in healthcare.
This month feels like a full-circle moment. Honoring the past. Claiming the present. And preparing to serve the future. ✊🏾🖤🪴
