Is every acupuncturist licensed? Acupuncture practitioners have to be licensed and certified through their state and national boards. Every acupuncturist has to be a licensed, accredited specialist. "In...
Every acupuncturist has to be a licensed, accredited specialist. "In order to have a license, you have to have the education," says Annie Sturman, a licensed acupuncture physician and owner of Annie Sturman Acupuncture. She has used acupuncture to treat patients with illnesses and pain for the past 20 years.
In order to practice acupuncture in the United States, a specialist has to take board exams and their education has to continue once the person is accredited. They have to take 60 credits every four years, and for their specific state they usually require 30 every two years. "As a condition of renewal, a full licensee is required to complete 30 hours of continuing acupuncture education in a Committee on Acupuncture approved acupuncture program or course or other COA approved activity during each two year period that begins on the date of their license," Sturman says.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, more medical doctors, including neurologists, anesthesiologists and specialists in physical medicine, are becoming trained in acupuncture. This organization stresses very strongly that a person should not rely on a diagnosis of disease by an acupuncture practitioner who does not have substantial conventional medical training. "Every acupuncture specialist should want to continue their education because that is where the person learns more information and they can improve their practice," Sturman says.
Requirements to practice in the United States vary state to state, but one thing they all have in common is education. In Europe a person that can legally practice acupuncture must be an accredited physician. In the states the specialist does not necessarily need to be a doctor but does need some form of education. According to The American Academy of Medical Training, their requirements are left in the hands of non-physicians who are members and politicians. On their home page there is a web link that lists accredited acupuncture schools in the US for non-physicians. The Academy states that its mission is to foster excellence in acupuncture and Oriental medicine education. The Commission is the sole accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Accreditation allows the school to offer federal guaranteed student loans.
According to Acupuncture.com, a website specializing in Chinese medicine, the U.S. has more than 20,000 traditional acupuncturists and 400 companies specializing in the sale of Chinese herbal medicine. Starting this year, October 17th is the official Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day. "In an effort to increase public awareness of the progress, promise, and benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, AOM day is observed by professional associations, research organizations and educational institutions." It is estimated that as many as 43% of Americans have used or are currently using some form of complementary or alternative therapy such as acupuncture herbal medicine.
If someone wants to find an acupuncturist near him or her, a great resource to use is www.naturalhealers.com. A person can find massage therapy schools, chiropractic colleges, acupuncture schools and any school for the natural healing arts. It is a great source of information for anyone looking for another medical alternative.
