Important News:
Dry Needling
February 9, 2017 “Dry Needling opinion by NJ Attorney General.” The Attorney General Opinion states that “under the current statute, physical therapists are not authorized to engage in dry needling or intramuscular stimulation.”
September 14, 2016 “American Society of Acupuncturists Position on Dry Needling.” After many months of consulting with acupuncturists across the country, the ASA has published its Position on Dry Needling. Highlight: “‘Dry needling’ is a pseudonym for acupuncture that has been adopted by physical therapists, chiropractors, and other health providers who lack the legal ability to practice acupuncture within their scope of practice. This strategy allows these groups to skirt the safety, testing, and certification standards put into place for the practice of acupuncture.”
June 15, 2016 “As Dry Needling Moves into Physical Therapy Mainstream, AMA Calls for a Standard of Practice.” The American Medical Association adopts a policy recommending physical therapists and other non-physicians practicing dry needling should — at a minimum — have standards for training, certification and continuing education similar to those that exist for acupuncture.
February 24, 2016 “California Court Issues Temporary Injunction Stopping Companies from ‘Dry Needling’ in California and Enjoining Sales of ‘Myotech Dry Needles'” All companies and individuals whom are using, teaching, purchasing or selling acupuncture needles (including Myotech needles) without licenses as physicians or acupuncturists are no longer allowed to do so within the state of California. The injunction is aimed primarily at individuals and companies involved in the ‘dry needling’ business.
October 16, 2014 “Washington Court Injunction Bans Physical Therapists from Practicing Acupuncture ‘Dry Needling'” A Washington Court found the practice of ‘dry needling’ to be acupuncture, thus prohibiting physical therapists from performing acupuncture ‘dry needling.’
June 19, 2014 “Tennessee Attorney General Opinion” The Attorney General of Tennessee found that “dry needling’s obvious similarity to acupuncture cannot be ignored, and physical therapists may not perform acupuncture, which is a branch of medicine.”
January 23 2014 “Oregon Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine V Board of Chiropractic Examiners RULING” An Oregon Court of Appeals finds that the law allowing chiropractors to practice “dry needling” on the grounds that it is a form of “physiotherapy” is unfounded, and the law is overturned so that chiropractors can no longer practice dry needling (Acupuncture). The summarized ruling can be found on the last 2 pages of the linked document.
Opioid Crisis and Pain Managements
February 14. 2017 “American College of Physicians issues guideline for treating nonradicular low back pain.” The ACP now lists acupuncture among the first remedies physicians should recommend to patients suffering from low back pain.
May 6, 2016 “ER Room Patients are Choosing Acupuncture Instead of Painkillers at Minneapolis Hospital.” Abbot Northwestern is the first hospital in the US to offer acupuncture in the ER.
February 23, 2016 “Chasing Heroin” PBS Frontline VIDEO. America’s Opioid Crisis.
December 8, 2015 “Acupuncture: A Solution to the Opioid Crisis?” An NCCAOM Press Release regarding the efficacy of acupuncture in treating pain, chronic and acute, as well as addiction.
The American Society of Acupuncturists
May 2016 “Transparency is Key at ASA First Annual Meeting” ASA Board Member David Miller, L. Ac., explains the importance of transparency and participation in the ASA.
Asian Herbology
2016 “Local Acupuncturist Responds to Chicago Tribune Article: Chinese Medicine is Effective AND Safe” Illinois licensed acupuncturist Nicole Hohmann responds to an article published in the Chicago Tribune. Hohmann explains how traditional asian medicine, specifically asian herbal medicine, is both effective and safe in the United States because of rigorous testing and required compliance to FDA and other regulatory safety boards.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
July 2016 “New Independent SOC for Acupuncturists Proposed by the BLS for 2018” After several years of work, the NCCAOM and other AOM allies have received confirmation that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has proposed an independent Standard Occupational Code for acupuncturists. More information on what this will mean can be found here.