Facts
How qualified is YOUR acupuncturist?
To become an Acupuncturist, A student attends a graduate school program in Traditional Chinese Medicine for 3 - 4 years. Most Acupuncture schools require 2,500 - 3,000 hours of training before graduation. Once the training has been completed, graduates sit for the national exam given by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), which is the ONLY National Board examination certifying Acupuncturists in the United States.
A Minimum of 1,800 hours* of Chinese Medical Education and supervised clinical training, plus graduation from an Accredited Acupuncture School (which most require 2,500 - 3,000 hours) is required to sit for this exam. It is a two - day test of written and practical Acupuncture skills and theory.
An Acupuncturist, after passing the NCCAOM exam is awarded the title “Diplomate of Acupuncture of the NCCAOM” (Dipl.Ac.) Certification is renewed every four years with the requirement of completing at least 60 hours of continuing education.
The Colorado State Department of Regulatory Agencies regulates acupuncture, in the state of Colorado. Only those who pass the NCCAOM exam are awarded to title of “Licensed Acupuncturist” (L.Ac.) by the State of Colorado.
The Acupuncture Association of Colorado (AAC) is the Professional Association for NCCAOM Board Certified - Licensed Acupuncturists in this state.
THERE ARE OTHER STANDARDS FOR THOSE CALLING THEMSELVES “ACUPUNCTURISTS” IN COLORADO:
Chiropractors: need only 100 hours of training, review 25 cases histories, and NO EXAMINATION to legally perform `acupuncture' in Colorado.
Medical Doctors (M.D.) and Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.): have NO MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAINING TO DO `acupuncture' in this state. They call themselves “Medical Acupuncturists”.
There is a class at U.C.L.A. especially for physicians to learn “acupuncture.” It is 350 hours.
*It is true you can sit for the exam with 1800, but you have to graduate from a school. The minimum numbers of hours for that is 2475. Most programs are at 2600-2800 hours.
Conditions Effectively Treated with Acupuncture
Identified by the World Health Organization
Neurological Reproductive Systems
Headache PMS
Migraine Infertility
Post-operative pain Menopause symptoms
Neuralgia Urinary Track Infection
Neuropathy Impotence
Post-Stroke paralysis Prostatitis
Musculo-Skeletal Emotional
Backache Hypertension
Sprains, strains Insomnia
Sports injuries Depression
Arthritis Anxiety
Disc Problems Eating disorders
Muscle cramping Neurosis
Sciatica
Digestive Addictions*
Abdominal pain Alcohol
Hyperacidity Nicotine
Chronic diarrhea Recreational drugs
Ulcers
Colitis
Dental Respiratory
Toothache Bronchitis
Post-extraction pain Sinusitis
Gum problems Allergies
Asthma
*Acupuncture is currently the cornerstone of 300 addiction programs nationwide.
Information from the publications of Focus P.M. Publications.
