All But the Qualified

When I was in TCM school, there was a western medical doctor a couple of semesters ahead of me. This gentlemen had come to New Mexico from the Northeast and left his private surgery practice because he felt that in order to be an acupuncturist, he needed to go to a real school and obtain real certification. I admired that because he could have fobbed off with a 200 hour course and billed an outrageous amount for a substandard acupuncture treatment. He knew that anything doing was worth doing right. The trouble is, many people believe in cutting corners and in TCM that results in what I would consider practicing outside the scope of your license and endangering patient safety.

I am not a chiropractor and although I did learn how to do adjustments during the course of my training, I feel that it is inappropriate and a dangerous liability for me to utilize those skills. Yet somehow there is the feeling among chiropractors that because they were trained to manipulate the body that they are somehow qualified to perform acupuncture. They are now canvassing to allow acupuncture to become a part of their scope of practice.The two systems are totally different and a 300 hour course does not cut it. Does this mean massage therapists, nurses, physical therapists, and physican assistants are going to lobby next? This is money grubbing, plain and simple. I fear that our profession will become so compromised that all but the qualified will be able to have a practice.

In the meantime, the AAOM has created a letter stating their position on the matter that can be sent to state and local representatives. I cannot say it enough - I believe that in order for our profession to be truly recognized and respected, there needs to be one national standard: graduation from an accredited school of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and NCCAOM certification. Whether you are a practitioner or a patron, I would urge all to click on the Legislative Advocacy Submittal Form below to help ensure the safety and standards of the TCM profession.


Chiropractic Community Attempts to Expand Scope of Practice


Chiropractic Community Attempts to Expand Scope of Practice
June 22 2006
Greetings Members and Colleagues:

As you may or may not be aware, across the U. S., the Chiropractic Community is attempting to expand Chiropractric Scope of Practice with legislative campaigns for 300 hour programs. Following, please find AAOM's position paper on this matter. Once you have read this position, we request you forward this to your legislative representative.

How to Submit: We have written an introduction for you, which you may change if you like. Our advocacy system does not allow you to attach a document, so the position paper we have written has been placed beneath the introduction that will be sent by you. Please note that based upon the contact information you provide, the advocacy system will automatically submit your position to your designated legislator by name, so please do not address your legislator's name in the context of your communication.

Legislative Advocacy Submittal Form:Chiropractic Scope of Practice on Acupuncture Advocacy Campaign