News

November 10, 2026

International Scientific and Practical Conference «Acupuncture in Ukraine: Clinical Experience, Wartime Challenges, and Future Perspectives»

International Scientific and Practical Conference «Acupuncture in Ukraine: Clinical Experience, Wartime Challenges, and Future Perspectives»

An international online conference entitled «Acupuncture in Ukraine: Clinical Experience, Wartime Challenges, and Future Perspectives» was held by the School of Medicine of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, in cooperation with the Department of General Surgery, Anesthesiology and Palliative Medicine.

The event brought together researchers, medical practitioners, rehabilitation specialists, and osteopaths from Ukraine and the United States. The conference was moderated by Ivan Rudas, while its principal organizer was Oleksandr Markov, Associate Professor, neurosurgeon, and reflexologist.

The main objective of the conference was to discuss the legal and regulatory framework governing the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Ukraine, the establishment of relevant professional associations, and the implementation of effective rehabilitation methods for wounded military personnel and civilian patients experiencing acute or chronic stress.

During the sessions, American experts (Dr. Celia Hildebrandt, Dr. Mitchell Elkis, and Dr. Teresa Bresnan) and Ukrainian specialists (Olena Mukonina, Dmytro Tyshchenko, Oleksandr Popelysh, Serhii Shumakov, and Andrii Kozachenko) presented evidence-based approaches to auriculotherapy, Battlefield Acupuncture and NADA protocols, Jing acupuncture, laser acupuncture, moxibustion, as well as experiences in the legislative regulation of acupuncture in the United States and Slovakia.

The conference outlined important steps towards advancing evidence-based integrative medicine in Ukraine, improving medical education and training programmes, and strengthening international cooperation.