Media
We are happy to serve as a resource to members of the media when working on stories about acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM). Please feel free to contact AOMAM with any questions. Here is some background information.
Emerging Topics In Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine | The Profession In Our Culture | The Profession In the Marketplace | AOM In the News | Contact Us | Glossary
Emerging Topics In Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
The rapidly growing interest in Oriental medicine is in itself a story. In the last few years, this profession has gone from being a rarely-mentioned, uncommon alternative to having most major media outlets, both locally and nationally, run a number of stories on acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM). Even President Obama advocated for acupuncture when asked. Our profession is working to assure that these stories make responsible claims.
Our profession's focus on integrating our medicine with allopathic or Western medicine is another emerging topic. Oriental medicine is a well-developed complete system of medicine that can be effectively used for a number of conditions. It can also be used as a complement to other forms of health care. While our terminology and system of diagnosis are quite different from other methods of care, we are working to help other health care providers understand what we do and how we can aid their patients to obtain a better outcome by working together. A number of major health care organizations nationally and regionally are utilizing acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
Another important topic in today's marketplace is the focus on health care costs and providing the best return for the healthcare dollar. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine's methods have always included prevention and early intervention, as well as low-tech care that is extremely cost-effective. As the American healthcare system learns to focus on prevention, this medicine is well-poised to provide effective care at this stage in the health cycle.
The Profession In Our Culture
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine is often thought of as a method of care for conditions that fall through the cracks of western (allopathic) medicine. In a majority of cases, patients initially seek out treatment due to word of mouth from someone who has been helped by this medicine. People will commonly first discover the benefits of this medicine when they have chronic pain that is not remedied or only temporarily relieved by medication and then discover how many other conditions it alleviates.
The American culture is beginning to shift its healthcare focus toward prevention. At the same time, natural forms of care are becoming important to many. The diagnostic methods in this medicine identify imbalances and allow for intervention before illness may arise. The care provided in this medicine targets making use of the body's innate ability to heal naturally and utilizes a focus on healthy diet and lifestyle as cornerstones of its treatment.
The Profession In the Marketplace
Oriental medicine is valued as a sophisticated and rational medicine with a step-by-step methodology. It is the standard of care in professionally practiced Chinese medicine around the world.
Because Oriental Medicine (OM) has a solid foundation in a codified prescriptive methodology, it is able to take its place in the modern world of professional medical practitioners with confidence of referral, peer review, and third party payment.
Who uses this medicine?
People who have thought about acupuncture often know it can be used for pain relief. However, acupuncture is one part of a whole system of medicine that is designed to treat most illnesses. Bit by bit, the research is beginning to show broader application for the medicine.
The most common users of complementary medicines are college-educated females between the ages of 35-55. However, we see patients of all ages: children who get help with allergies, women using it as an alternative to medical fertility work or as a companion to it, people of advanced age who are struggling with chronic illness and limited on what medications they might take, athletes wanting to improve their performance, as well as people who choose to utilize more natural methods of care.
As people shift their focus to prevention, many are coming for ‘well care'. This medicine identifies imbalances in the body before there is enough of a shift that there are measurable lab changes or symptoms.
Teaming with other providers
More and more often, acupuncture and Oriental medicine are being used as a complement to Western medicine. Here are some examples of how the two work well together:
- People undergoing chemotherapy can use acupuncture and herbs to treat side effects such as nausea and fatigue.
- People recovering from a medical procedure can use acupuncture for pain relief and to help them regain strength.
- People who have had a stroke can utilize this medicine to speed their rehabilitation and restore function.
- Women who are going through in vitro fertilization procedures can use this medicine to increase their pregnancy rates.
- People who have a condition that is not resolved through a Western medical procedure can utilize this medicine to help manage symptoms.
Insurance
An increasing number of insurers are covering treatment by acupuncture. In 2009, the Equal Access to Acupuncture law was enacted requiring insurance companies that cover acupuncture provided by other health professionals also cover care provided by licensed acupuncturists.
What does a practice look like?
When seeking out treatment, there are several types of practices one may encounter. Here are a few examples:
- Independent practitioner-owned practices.
- Group practices where practitioners practice within a group.
- Practices that share space with other health care practitioners such as physicians, massage therapists, and chiropractors.
- Several medical institutions employ acupuncturists, including hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and large clinics.
- Community acupuncture settings where acupuncture is provided in a group setting and fees are low cost or on a sliding scale.
Some practices have a spa-like setting, some have chosen to play up the medicine's Asian roots in their décor, others look like a typical American medical clinic. Some practices are home-like and may be set up in the practitioner's home.
Required credentialing
Professional licensure in Minnesota is governed by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. The license granted is ‘Licensed Acupuncturist' or LAc. In order to be licensed in this state, candidates must become nationally certified through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. There are seven states in the United States that do not have acupuncture licensure laws or regulation.
Practitioners must have completed a master's degree in acupuncture or Oriental medicine in order to become nationally certified. Schools offering these master's degrees are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), the national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This master's degree is offered as the culmination of approximately 3,000 hours of combined didactic and clinical instruction.
AOM in the news
Recent news stories
- Air Force is training warzone physicians in acupuncture Full story
- Veterans are Using Acupuncture for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Full story
- Acupuncture is featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show Full story
Press releases
Contact us
If you would like to develop a feature story about AOM, we would be happy to work with you. Inquiries should be directed to:
Here are some ideas for topics that could be featured:
- AOM's focus on prevention
- AOM's focus on natural care
- Community acupuncture
- Varied settings for receiving care (spa, hospital, clinic, rehab facility)
- The cost-effectiveness of Oriental medicine
- Focus on a specific condition (stress, pain relief, digestion, sleep)
- How AOM is integrating with other forms of health care
- The evolution of this profession in Minnesota
- How consumers can advocate for insurance coverage with the new laws
Glossary
- American Association of Acupuncture Oriental Medicine (AAAOM): The national professional association whose goal is to promote excellence and integrity in the professional practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, in order to enhance public health and well-being.
- Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM): The national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit Master's-level programs in the acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession.
- Meridians: The 12 major longitudinal pathways that supply energy and nourishment to the body. Acupuncture points are located along these pathways. (Also called channels)
- National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM): The credentialing organization that certifies practitioners. Its purpose 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.
- Oriental Medicine: a sophisticated form of medicine that is comprised of many systematic techniques and methods, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, acupressure, qi gong, and oriental massage.
- Points: Any of various places on the human body on a line of energy (called a meridian) into which an acupuncture needle can be inserted to exact a benefit; also called acupoint. Most are areas of high electrical conductance on the body surface. The findings of a 2005 systematic review of the effects of acupuncture on brain activation as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography showed that specific and largely predictable areas of brain activation and deactivation occur when considering the functions attributed to certain specific acupuncture points. For example, points associated with hearing and vision stimulates the visual and auditory cerebral areas respectively.
- Qi: The vital energy or life force which flows through the meridians and is used to protect, transform and warm the body (also spelled chi).
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): includes a range of traditional medical practices originating in China. Although well accepted in the mainstream of medical care throughout East Asia, it is considered an alternative medical system in much of the western world.