Books & Writing
Writing as a way of thinking
Writing is one of the primary ways I work through complex ideas—about medicine, care, education, and how people actually learn. My writing spans peer-reviewed medical literature, professional journals, book chapters, trade publications, and public-facing essays.
Across formats, my aim is the same: to translate complex material without flattening it, and to invite thoughtful engagement rather than uncertainty or dogma.
Demystifying Acupuncture: Modern Answers About Ancient Medicine
My book, Demystifying Acupuncture, was written for readers who are curious, skeptical, or simply trying to make sense of how acupuncture fits into modern healthcare. It addresses common questions with clarity and evidence, without mysticism or oversimplification.
The book reflects my broader commitment to bridging ancient medical systems and modern clinical science in ways that are practical, humane, and grounded in real-world care.
Selected Publications
I have published peer-reviewed research, scholarly articles, and invited chapters addressing acupuncture, integrative medicine, clinical education, and healthcare systems.
Selected publications include:
Smith C.L., Reddy B, Wolf CM, Schnyer RN, St John K, Conboy L, Stone J, Lao L. The State of 21st Century Acupuncture in the United States. J Pain Res. 2024;17:3329-3354.
Han H, Clithero-Eridon A, Costa MJ, Dennis CA, Dorsey JK, Ghias K, Hopkins A, Jabeen K, Klamen D, Matos S, Mellinger JD, Peters H, Pitama S, Smith C.L., Smith SF, Suh B, Suh S, Zdravković M. On pandemics and pivots: a COVID-19 reflection on envisioning the future of medical education. Korean J Med Educ. 2021 Dec;33(4):393-404. doi: 10.3946/kjme.2021.207. Epub 2021 Nov 30. PMID: 34875155; PMCID: PMC8655362.
Full references are available upon request.
Smith C.L., Mulcahy M. The Impact of Inpatient Acupuncture on a Mixed Hospital Floor: A Pragmatic 3-Month Cost-Effectiveness Retrospective Evaluation. Med Acupunct. 2024 Feb 1;36(1):27-33. doi: 10.1089/acu.2023.0009. Epub 2024 Feb 13. PMID: 38380172; PMCID: PMC10874818.
Han, H., Smith, C.L., Suh, B., Papa, F. J., & Hunt, D. How students learn. In J. A. Dent, R. M. Harden, & D. Hunt (Eds), A practical guide for medical teachers (6th ed., pp. 57-64). UK: Elsevier. Apr 2021.
Professional & Trade Writing
In addition to academic publishing, I write for professional and public audiences. My work has appeared in outlets such as:
Acupuncture Today (recent multi-part series)
Regional and national publications addressing integrative care, culinary medicine, and patient education
These pieces often serve as a bridge between academic ideas and everyday clinical or professional practice.
On My Mind
On My Mind is a collection of short essays drawn from my bimonthly newsletter. These posts explore what I’m currently thinking about—questions raised in clinical practice, teaching, speaking, or public conversation.
Topics often include:
How people learn and change
Communication in clinical and professional settings
Food, stress, and everyday health
The limits of certainty in medicine
New posts are added regularly, and several earlier essays will be published here as our site evolves.