Since acupuncture has been introduced to the west it has become highly regarded as an effective treatment modality. It began unregulated and non-standardized but as people began to see its effects, dedicated educational programs were established and regulated colleges were legislated under the Healthcare Professions Act.
Traditionally, acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory and has been used in China for more than 2,500 years. TCM theory is a complex way of looking not only at the body but at the world. It is holistic, meaning its perspective is how all the parts create one thing. In the west, as acupuncture has become more established, rather than just acupuncturists or TCM doctors using the therapy, other healthcare practitioners — medical doctors (MD), physiotherapists (PT), naturopathic doctors (ND) — are choosing to study and incorporate it into their practices as well.
Typically it is referred to as “medical acupuncture” and focuses strictly on muscular treatments with terminology such as “dry needling” or “intramuscular stimulation,” all of which are original components of TCM acupuncture. These techniques can be a great choice to relieve and reduce pain and encourage muscular healing.
The amount of training in both practice and theory can vary. An MD or PT may have anywhere from 50 to 200 hours of training in acupuncture with no necessary continuing education credits. An ND will have around 250 hours of training in acupuncture, again with no necessary continuing education. With these types of certification programs it makes sense that only a few number of acupuncture points are learned and used, and the depth of knowledge of its effects as well as TCM theory is limited. In order to practise in B.C. an acupuncturist must be registered with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and must complete at least 1,900 hours of training and pass a national board exam. It takes years to learn TCM medical theory, diagnosis, point location, effect and technique. As part of their training they are required to complete 450 hours of supervised clinical experience before graduation and 25 hours of continuing education per year after registration.
A Registered Acupuncturist will be able to offer you an effective and efficient treatment plan for your health and will often incorporate other TCM modalities in relation to acupuncture, such as moxabustion, cupping, gua sha, auricular or laser for support.
Medical acupuncture can be a good choice for pain relief and injuries but if you don’t find relief try a Registered Acupuncturist before giving up. A Registered Acupuncturist will be able to address many health issues in addition to pain, such as addictions, anxiety, depression, fatigue, headaches, fertility, menopause, menstruation, insomnia, digestion, as well as others not listed here.
Written by Jenna Roze, Red Bird Acupuncture; Marilyn Bell, Interior TCM; and Marcel Mallette, Mountain Acupuncture; all are Registered Acupuncturists in Vernon.
