Acupuncturist

Overview

Acupuncture is a major part of Oriental medicine, a complete system that is used to diagnose and treat illness, prevent disease and improve well-being. In itself, it is effective for physical, psychological and emotional problems. Acupuncture originated in China more than 2,500 years ago and, due to its proven effectiveness, has been embraced throughout the world since that time.

Recently science has determined that human beings are complex bioelectric systems. This understanding has been the foundation of acupuncture practice for several thousand years. Energy circulates throughout the body along well-defined pathways. Points on the skin along these pathways are energetically connected to specific organs, body structures and systems. If this energy circulation is disrupted, optimum function is affected, causing pain or illness. Acupuncture points are stimulated to balance the circulation of energy, which influence the health of the entire being.

Currently there are more than 60 colleges of acupuncture in North America with more than 1,000 new graduates annually. The profession established the Accreditation Commission for Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) in 1981. In 1987, this commission was authorized by the U.S. Department of Education. Today there are 34 schools either accredited or in candidate status with the ACAOM in the United States and Canada. These institutions offer a master's degree program in Oriental medicine, which includes extensive training in acupuncture, Oriental bodywork therapy, Western diagnostics and Chinese herbology. The training covers a period of at least three years and an approved curriculum of at least 73 semester credit hours (1,725 clock hours).

After they complete their degrees, most practitioners are required to take board exams offered by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) in order to become certified practitioners. Local acupuncture regulatory agencies may offer a certification process in certain states. The NCCAOM testing process is accepted as the major criterion for licensure, registration or certification in most of the states in which acupuncture is currently regulated, including Colorado.

The state of Colorado also allows others to offer acupuncture as treatment. Currently the state does not require any amount of training or study for physicians practicing acupuncture. Any physician can administer acupuncture if he or she feels qualified to do so. Most physicians, who refer to themselves as medical acupuncturists, take a 300-hour course offered by UCLA before administering treatment. Chiropractors are required by the state to have 100 hours of training.

Recommended Reading

Acupuncture Association of Colorado

Overview of acupuncture, frequently asked questions and regulation information.

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Information about certification and general acupuncture resources.