About Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
Research and Resources
Research
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) http://nccam.nih.gov
The NCCAM, a division of the National Institutes of Health, was established by Congress in 1998 to develop and support research on complementary and alternative medicine. Its primary mission is to provide the public with accurate information about the safety and effectiveness of alternative therapies. Also see the following section on their site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/acupuncture.html
Accreditation Agency
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) www.nccaom.org
The NCCAOM (formerly the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists), was established in 1982 to promote nationally recognized standards of competence for acupuncture and Oriental medicine. The NCCAOM certifies practitioners in acupuncture and Chinese herbology as well as Asian Bodywork. NCCAOM certification is used as the basis for license in the majority of states that have set standards of practice for acupuncture.
Professional Associations
American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) www.aaaomonline.org
A national professional membership association founded to represent practitioners of acupuncture and Oriental medicine in the United States. The Association is committed to integrating acupuncture and Oriental medicine into the American health care system as well as fostering quality health care, education and research.
Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) www.ccaom.org
Formed in 1982 to advance acupuncture and Oriental medicine by promoting educational excellence within the field. The CCAOM has developed academic and clinical guidelines and core curriculum requirements for master's level and doctoral level programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
Other Web Resources for Alternative Medicine Consumers and Practitioners
World Health Organization (WHO) www.who.int/en/
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
The Alternative Medicine Foundation, Inc. (AMFI) http://www.amfoundation.org/acupuncture.htm
The Alternative Medicine Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, founded in March 1998, to provide responsible and reliable information about alternative medicine to the public and health professionals.