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The NCCAOM® Certification in Acupuncture

About Acupuncture

The practice of acupuncture in the United States incorporates medical traditions from China, Japan,

Korea, and other countries.1 Acupuncture is one of the essential elements of Oriental medicine and the

oldest, most commonly used medical procedure in the world. Originating in China more than 3,000

years ago, the practice of Oriental medicine includes acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, cupping,

manual therapies such as acupressure, moxibustion, exercises such as tai chi or qi gong, as well as

Chinese herbal preparations and dietary therapy.1

 

Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body, by insertion of very fine, sterile, stainless

steel needles to elicit a predictable physiological response. This stimulus may also be administered to

the points using mild electrical stimulation (with or without needles), pressure techniques with the hands

(acupressure) or the application of heat by various methods.

  

Acupuncturists assess a patient’s syndrome or pattern of disharmony by using a set of diagnostic skills

that involve four areas; questioning, palpation, visual inspection, and olfactory-auditory data collection.

An acupuncturist determines the necessary treatment principle and strategy to prompt the patient back

to functional harmony by discriminating the exact pattern of the body’s physiological response to

pathogenic factors.

  

The acupuncturist’s skill at determining the appropriate points to treat is based upon his/her ability to

accurately distinguish the presenting pattern, knowledge of correct points to address that pattern and

knowledge of the proper type of stimulus for each point. This possession of this knowledge and skills is

the key distinction between a professional, certified acupuncturist and other health care providers who

employ acupuncture only as a modality (stimulating points for their general effect without adjusting their

choice of points to the specific patient’s need).

Use of Acupuncture

The Institute of Medicine identified 79 systematic reviews of acupuncture placing acupuncture third in

usage among all complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies.2

 

Acupuncture has been shown to provide generalized oxygenation and increased blood flow to specific

areas of treatment. It also aids production of cortisone and other anti-inflammatory secretions and can

increase the internal production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. In addition, a 2010 study

from the University of Rochester in New York found that acupuncture can help relieve pain by

triggering a natural pain-killing chemical called adenosine.3

  

A recent study of acupuncture — the most rigorous and detailed analysis of the treatment to date —

found that it can ease migraines and arthritis and other forms of chronic pain. The researchers, who

published their results in Archives of Internal Medicine, found that acupuncture outperformed sham

treatments and standard care when used by people suffering from osteoarthritis, migraines and chronic

back, neck and shoulder pain.4

  

A 2006 patient survey from the Alternative Medicine Integration Group based in Florida,

found that 94% of study patients being treated by CAM therapies (including acupuncture)

agreed that the program treatment helped reduce levels of pain.5

  

The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture and Oriental medicine as effective

for over 43 common ailments including:6

Respiratory Disorders

Sinusitis, Rhinitis

Common cold

Tonsillitis

Sore throat

Hay fever

Bronchitis

Bronchial Asthma

Disorders of the Eyes

Acute conjunctivitis

Myopia in children

Cataracts without complications

Central retinitis

Mental- Emotional Disorders

Anxiety

Depression

Stress

Insomnia

Addictions

Weight control

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Musculo-skeletal Disorders

Frozen shoulder, tennis elbow

Low back pain

Osteoarthritis and joint pains

Stiff neck

Tendinitis

Bursitis

Sprains

Injuries from auto accidents

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Fibromyalgia

Gastro-intestinal Disorders

Acute and chronic gastritis

Hyperacidity

Hiccoughs

Acute uncomplicated duodenal ulcer

Chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)

Acute and chronic colitis

Acute bacillary dysentery

Constipation

Diarrhea

Paralytic ileus

Neurological Disorders

Headache and Migraine

Dizziness

Trigeminal neuralgia

Facial palsy (within 3-6 months)

Paresis following stroke

Peripheral neuropathies

Meniere’s disease

Neurogenic bladder dysfunction

Nocturnal enuresis

Intercostal neuralgia

Sciatica

Musculo-skeletal Disorders

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Musculo-skeletal Disorders

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Disorders of the Mouth

Toothache

Post extraction pain

Gingivitis

Acute and chronic pharyngitis

Ear Disorders

Ringing in ears

Deafness

Meniere’s disease

Earache

Reproductive System Disorders

Infertility

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Irregular Menses

Menstrual cramps

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Menopausal symptoms

Morning sickness

Urinary incontinence

Impotence

Is use of acupuncture growing?

The American Hospital Association’s Health Forum 2007 Complementary and Alternative

Medicine Survey of Hospitals found that 35% of the hospitals offering complementary

medicine provide acupuncture as an outpatient service to the patients. Additionally,

acupuncture is represented as one of the top six modalities in both outpatient and inpatient

settings amongst those hospitals.7

 

In the United States and abroad, the use of acupuncture and Oriental medicine is gaining

widespread acceptance. In the United States there is an estimated 33,000 certified or

licensed acupuncturists.

  

In the past two decades, acupuncture has grown in popularity in the United States. The

2007 National Health Interview Survey conducted by the National Center for

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health

(NIH) stated that acupuncture is being widely practiced by thousands of practitioners for

relief or prevention of pain and for various other health conditions.

  

According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, the largest and most

comprehensive survey of CAM use by American adults to date, acupuncture use has

increased between 2002 and 2007 among adults. In 2007, almost 4 out of 10 adults had

used CAM therapy in the past 12 months. Acupuncture is one of the CAM therapies that

have seen an increase in usage during this time period.2

Identifying a Qualified Acupuncturist

How do I find a qualified acupuncturist?

Look for a Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCCAOM)® or Diplomate of Oriental Medicine

(NCCAOM)® by going to the NCCAOM® Find a Practitioner directory at www.nccaom.org.

Oriental medicine includes the practice of acupuncture, Chinese herbology and Asian

bodywork therapy.

 

The additional designation of licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) is awarded by a state

regulatory board. The NCCAOM website provides a table with state regulatory

requirements and contact information.

  

Currently, 47 states, plus the District of Columbia, require NCCAOM certification or the

passing of the NCCAOM examinations as a requirement for licensure to practice

acupuncture. Each state board has a unique set of requirements for licensure. State rules

and regulations are subject to change; therefore, one should always confirm current

requirements for licensure with the appropriate state board. More information on state

requirements is available at www.nccaom.org.

  

The acupuncturist’s skill at determining the appropriate points to treat is based upon his/her ability to

accurately distinguish the presenting pattern, knowledge of correct points to address that pattern and

knowledge of the proper type of stimulus for each point. This possession of this knowledge and skills is

the key distinction between a professional, certified acupuncturist and other health care providers who

employ acupuncture only as a modality (stimulating points for their general effect without adjusting their

choice of points to the specific patient’s need).

Comprehensive training in traditional differential diagnosis and proper treatment methods

require that a Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCCAOM)® completes three to four academic

years of education at the master’s degree level in an acupuncture program accredited by

the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) or has

completed an international education program which is substantially equivalent to ACAOM

standards. ACAOM is the only accrediting body recognized by the United States

Department of Education as the authority for quality education and training in acupuncture

and Oriental medicine. In addition to graduation from an ACAOM accredited program, a

Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCCAOM) must demonstrate professional competency by

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passing NCCAOM certification examinations in Foundations of Oriental Medicine,

Acupuncture, and Biomedicine as well as meet other NCCAOM certification requirements.

The NCCAOM Diplomate training and competency verification is in sharp contrast to the

acupuncture training of other healthcare professionals such as chiropractors or registered

nurses or even medical doctors who typically receive100-300 hours of abbreviated

training. These other healthcare professionals provide acupuncture by treating a more

limited number of points.8 Certified (and licensed) acupuncturists are also trained in

standard medical history gathering, safety, ethics, common pharmaceuticals and

supplements, and recognition of when to refer patients to other health care professionals or

consult with other medical practitioners.

What training does an NCCAOM Diplomate of Acupuncture have?

The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)

is widely accepted as the most influential leader in the field of acupuncture and Oriental

medicine. Over 33,000 NCCAOM certifications have been issued since 1982. The

NCCAOM, established in 1982, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to establish,

assess, and promote recognized standards of competence and safety in acupuncture and

Oriental medicine for the protection and benefit of the public. NCCAOM Acupuncture,

Oriental Medicine and Chinese herbology certification programs are accredited by the

National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) of the Institute for Credentialing

Excellence (ICE)9. For more information on the NCCAOM, please visit the website at

www.nccaom.org.

The following NCCAOM certifications carry the above NCCA accreditation seal:

Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCCAOM)®

Diplomate of Chinese Herbology (NCCAOM)®

Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)®

Contact Information

NCCAOM

2025 M Street NW, Suite 800

Washington DC, 20036

Ph: (888) 381-1140, Fax: (202) 381-1141

www.nccaom.org

Email: publicrelations@thenccaom.org

NCCAOM and its Diplomates

References

1. National Institute of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative

Medicine; http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/; accessed January 29, 2014.

2. Barnes PM, Bloom B, Nahin R. CDC National Health Statistics Report #12. Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Use among Adults and Children: United States, 2007; December 10, 2008.

3. Nedergaard M, Goldman N, et al. Nature Neuroscience, Adenosine A1 receptors mediate local anti-nocicptive effects

of acupuncture; May 30, 2010; University of Rochester, New York.

4. O’Connor, A. Acupuncture Provides True Pain Relief in Study. New York Times; September 11, 2012.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/11/acupuncture-provides-true-pain-relief-instudy/?_

php=true&_type=blogs&ref=acupuncture&_r=0; accessed January 29, 2014

5. Alternative Medicine Integration Group; http://www.amibestmed.com/; accessed January 29, 2014.

6. Traditional Medicine – Growing Needs and Potential,World Health Organization Policy Perspective on Medicines; #1

May 2002; World Health Organization, Geneva.

7. Health Forum 2007 Complementary and Alternative Medicine Survey of Hospitals Summary of Results: August 2008;

Chicago, Illinois.

8. Know Your Acupuncturist, Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine; http://www.ccaom.org; accessed

January 29, 2014.

9. The Institute

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