| | | | | | |


Trends in Oriental Medicine

When Gwyneth Paltrow appeared in People magazine in 2004, revealing a row of cupping
marks across her back, it was clear that TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) had not only hit
the mainstream, it was on its way to becoming trendy. Would Gwynneth do for Acupuncture
what Madonna had done for Yoga and Keballah? Well, she definitely got people wondering
about this “new” healthcare modality.

The fact is that Oriental Medicine, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion,
cupping and TuiNa (massage), has been around for 3000 years. Some say 5000. And while
it has been practiced in the US for about 150 years, it only started to gain attention
in the early 1970s after Nixon visited China, and the open exchange of medical information
between the two countries began.

Today, acupuncture and herbal medicine enjoy increasing popularity and credibility
worldwide, as an integral part of the larger field of Complementary and Alternative
Medicine (CAM). According the World Health Organization, 70% of Canadians and 90% of
Germans have used CAM at least once. Approximately 158 million American adults used
CAM and spent more than $17 billion on traditional remedies in 2000.

Research
As further proof of the growing interest in TCM, and acupuncture in particular, the 1997 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference on Acupuncture estimated that 5.3 million Americans received acupuncture that year, and stated: "there is sufficient evidence of acupuncture's value to expand its use into conventional medicine." In 1998 a Kaiser study reported that 57.2 % of physicians in northern California had used or recommended acupuncture in the previous 12 months. In 2005, the NIH received $123.1 million in grants specifically for CAM research. Also in 2005, more than 1500 delegates from 33 countries attended the Third International Conference on Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Education & Licensing
In the US, both education and licensing standards for Acupuncture and OM have improved tremendously in the last 25 years. While only a handful of schools offered TCM training in the ‘80s, more than 50 schools nationwide are now recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACCOM). Following a rigorous 4-year program, graduates receive a Masters Degree of Oriental Medicine after completion of 2400-2900 didactic hours and 650-900 clinic hours (depending on the State).

In 1982, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) became the official licensing body for the profession. Its mission: “to establish, assess, and promote recognized standards of competence and safety in acupuncture and Oriental medicine for the protection and benefit of the public.” Current NCCAOM requirements for Licensure include Board examinations in Acupuncture, Foundation of Chinese Medicine, Point Location, Western Biomedicine, and Herbal Certification (optional specialty)

According to the National Acupuncture Foundation, the number of licensed practitioners increased an impressive 59% from 5,525 in 1992 to 22,671 in 2004.

In 1973, only Maryland, Nevada and Oregon had Practice Act legislation for Acupuncture. Today, 44 states, including DC, have enacted legislation for the profession, with many states considering acupuncturists as primary care physicians.

Future Trends
As patients look for alternatives to expensive procedures and drug therapy, the trend continues toward integrative medical practices. Acupuncturists are working alongside MDs, DOs, Chiropractors, Nutritionists and estheticians. Hospitals, Wellness Clinics, spas and even cruise ships are welcoming acupuncturists as part of their healthcare teams.

In conclusion, the Hartman Group, a leading market research firm focusing on the health and wellness markets, in its top 10 trends of 2005 cited Acupuncture as a “Mainstream Modality for Pain Management.” Recognizing the general trend toward CAM, Hartman predicts that Acupuncture will continue to grow in popularity, as an increasingly attractive pain management option in the mainstream healthcare market. To quote the report: “The primary reason for this is simply that it works.”