The term "acupuncture" describes a family of procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body using a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been most often studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.
Practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years, acupuncture is one of the key components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In TCM, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces of yin and yang. The concept of two opposing yet complementary forces described in traditional Chinese medicine. Yin represents cold, slow, or passive aspects of the person, while yang represents hot, excited, or active aspects. A major theory is that health is achieved through balancing yin and yang and disease is caused by an imbalance leading to a blockage in the flow of qi. According to TCM, health is achieved by maintaining the body in a "balanced state"; disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. Sources vary on the number of meridians, with numbers ranging from 14 to 20. One commonly cited source describes meridians as 14 main channels "connecting the body in a weblike interconnecting matrix" of at least 2,000 acupuncture points.
Acupuncture became better known in the United States in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his pain after surgery. American practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries.
The report from a Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 stated that acupuncture is being "widely" practiced—by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists, and other practitioners—for relief or prevention of pain and for various other health conditions. According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which included a comprehensive survey of CAM use by Americans, an estimated 3.1 million U.S. adults and 150,000 children had used acupuncture in the previous year. Between the 2002 and 2007 NHIS, acupuncture use among adults increased by three-tenths of 1 percent (approximately 1 million people).
Q. WHO CAN PERFORM ACUPUNCTURE?
A. Acupuncturists who maintain a valid license issued by the Acupuncture Board and physicians licensed by the Medical Board of California. A dentist or podiatrist licensed in California may also practice acupuncture, only within the scope of their respective licenses and if they have completed the necessary training required by their respective licensing board.
Q. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN ACUPUNCTURIST, CAN YOU REFER ME TO ONE?
A. No. The Acupuncture Board licenses acupuncturists. It is unable to provide referrals. You may want to check with an association. The Board maintains a list of acupuncture associations. Once you are provided the name of an acupuncturist, you may call the Acupuncture Board to verify the status of an acupuncturist, i.e., valid, delinquent, or action against the license.
Q. CAN YOU TELL ME WHETHER AN ACUPUNCTURIST HAS HAD A COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST THEM? WHAT ABOUT AN ADVERSE ACTION FILED AGAINST THEM?
A. No. Complaints and/or investigations are not subject to public disclosure. An accusation is a formal charge brought before a court against a person, stating that they are guilty of some punishable offense. If an accusation has been filed, it is subject to public disclosure. Details regarding the actual accusation filed must be requested in writing.
Q. WHAT IS AN ACUPUNCTURIST ALLOWED TO DO?
A. An acupuncturist is allowed to engage in the practice of acupuncture, electroacupuncture, perform or prescribe the use of oriental massage, acupressure, moxibustion, cupping, breathing techniques, exercise, heat, cold, magnets, nutrition, diet, herbs, plant, animal, and mineral products, and dietary supplements to promote, maintain, and restore health pursuant to Business & Professions Code Section 4937.
Q. WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
A. Needles are sterile, generally cause no bleeding upon entry or removal, with little or no pain being felt; however, slight bruising may be experienced on occasion. The number of treatments necessary will depend upon your condition, if your symptoms are chronic or acute and your health in general. The needles may vary in size, depending upon your condition and the course of treatment prescribed. In addition to needling your treatment may also include a variety of non-needling techniques such as moxibustion (heat), acupressure, herbal formulas, etc. One advantage of acupuncture treatment is the absence of serious side effects which may result from the use of prescription drugs.
Q. WHAT DO THE INITIALS "O.M.D." STAND FOR?
A. The initials O.M.D. stand for "Oriental Medical Doctor", this is an academic title (similar to Ph.D.). This title may only be used by those licensed acupuncturists who possess an earned doctorate degree, from a California accredited, approved and/or authorized educational institute as set forth in Section 94760 of the California Education Code. These initials must be used in conjunction with the representation that the individual is a licensed acupuncturist as set forth in Business & Professions Code, Section 4927 and 4937, the California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 1399.456, and Attorney General Opinion No. 87-103 .
Q. CAN AN ACUPUNCTURIST CALL THEMSELF A DOCTOR?
A. See California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 1399.456.
Q. DO I NEED A REFERRAL FROM MY REGULAR DOCTOR TO SEE AN ACUPUNCTURIST AND WILL MY INSURANCE COVER ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT?
A. An acupuncturist is considered a primary care provider and a referral may or may not be required for insurance purposes. Many insurance companies do cover acupuncture treatment. For more information on insurance, please contact either your insurance company or an acupuncture association.
Q. ARE ACUPUNCTURISTS REQUIRED TO USE DISPOSABLE NEEDLES?
A. Yes. It is unprofessional conduct for an acupuncturist to use a needle more than once. California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 1399.454.
Q. CAN AN ACUPUNCTURIST GIVE INJECTIONS OF ANY KIND?
A. No. Never. Acupuncturists cannot give injections, nor can they perform acupuncture with a hypodermic needle, pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 1399.451(f).
Q. I READ AN ADVERTISEMENT WHERE AN ACUPUNCTURIST CLAIMS THE ABILITY TO CURE MY DISEASE. IS THIS LEGAL?
A. No. Pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 1399.451(b) it is improper for an acupuncturist to disseminate any advertising which represents in any manner that they can cure any type of disease, condition or symptom.
Q. DOES CALIFORNIA HAVE RECIPROCITY WITH OTHER STATES?
A. No. The Acupuncture Board does not recognize reciprocity, nor does it accept for licensure those individuals who take and pass the national examination (administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine).
Public Domain Information from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction.htm
Frequently Asked Questions from the California Acupuncture Board