A venerable component of traditional Chinese medicine, with a history of use that extends at least 2000 years, acupuncture became better known in the United States in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his pain after surgery. More than 3 million adults in the United States use acupuncture, according to NHIS data. In a number of European countries, acupuncture is performed primarily by physicians. In the United States, the training and licensure processes for physicians and nonphysicians differ. Currently acupuncture is licensed in 42 states and the District of Columbia, with licensure standard varying within the scope of practice of each state. Licensure for nonphysicians generally requires 3 years of accredited training and the successful completion of a standardized examination. The main accrediting organization is the Accredition Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Acupuncture is included in doctor of medicine (MD) and doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) licensure in 31 states, with 11 states requiring additional training for physicians performing acupuncture.
Published in the recent 19th edition of Harrison.