Chapter 1 | The Science of Acupuncture: Traditional Training Meets Modern Medicine

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine are breaking barriers between old and new medical traditions. Here are two examples:

A scientist and practitioner of Chinese Herbal Medicine won the Nobel Prize in medicine for her research into treatment for malaria. Study of Chinese Herbal Medicine is an option for acupuncture students.

As the opioid epidemic rages on in the U.S. and worldwide, many patients have begun to seek alternatives for pain management. For providers and doctors seeking high-quality collaborative and integrative care beyond medication, acupuncture and East Asian medicine offer the solutions their patients seek without the dangerous side effects of prescription opioids.

47

Acupuncture is legally recognized in 47 of the 50 United States plus the District of Columbia.

NCCAOM

Exams administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Acupuncture is a healing modality based on ancient Chinese medicine. Acupuncture points on the body's surface are stimulated with sterile needles, with or without electrical current. This is believed to affect the nervous system, muscles, connective tissues, and the brain which triggers the body's natural healing abilities and promotes physical and emotional well-being. Acupuncture can significantly reduce the frequency and amount of opioid usage in patients seeking care for chronic and acute pain.

Though it has gained popularity in the United States in recent years, acupuncture is part of one of the oldest continuous systems of medical knowledge and practice in history.

Rooted in the belief that energy, also called qi, flows through the body and can be adjusted to address pain, inflammation, and other issues related to overall health and wellness, acupuncture effectively treats a wide range of patient complaints.