What is medical acupuncture?

Medical acupuncture is a medical discipline having a central core of knowledge embracing the integration of acupuncture from various traditions into contemporary biomedical practice.  A Physician Acupuncturist is one who has acquired specialized knowledge and experience related to the integration of acupuncture within a biomedicine practice.

Medical Acupuncture is a contemporary form of acupuncture that was developed by Medical Doctors in the United States and, recently, Great Britain over the last twenty years. It differs from traditional acupuncture in the following ways:

1. The theory of "points" and "meridians" is either ignored because there is no physically verifiable anatomical or histological basis.
2. The concepts of disease that are treated are based on modern scientific method instead of oriental theory.
3. Medical acupuncture is understood via the biomedical understanding of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry.

The intent of the certification medical acupuncture is to provide assurance to the public that a certified medical specialist has successfully completed an approved educational program and an evaluation, including an examination process, designed to assess the knowledge, experience and skills requisite to the provision of high quality patient care in that specialty.

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