INFORMATION SHEET

IN THIS BROCHURE,

you will find INFORMATION:

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?

INDICATIONS FOR ACUPUNCTURE

SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF ACUPUNCTURE

HEALTH PROMOTION AND PRESERVATION WITH ACUPUNCTURE

COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF ACUPUNCTURE

HISTORY OF THE PROFESSION OF ACUPUNCTURISTS IN ALBERTA

HOW TO BECOME AN ACUPUNCTURIST IN ALBERTA

CAAA CONTACT INFORMATION

admin@acupuncturealberta.ca

www.acupuncturealberta.ca

College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta#201, 9612 – 51 Ave. NW Edmonton, AB T6E 5A6

PHONE: 780-466-7787FAX: 780-466-7251

College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta www.acupuncturealberta.ca

College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta www.acupuncturealberta.ca

www.acupuncturealberta.ca

College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta#201, 9612 – 51 Ave. NW Edmonton, AB T6E 5A6

PHONE: 780-466-7787FAX: 780-466-7251

WHAT IS

acupuncture?Indications FOR ACUPUNCTURE

Safety & effectiveness O F A C U P U N C T U R E

Acupuncture is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is a complete medical system with its own theoretical foundation, diagnosis methods, treatment principles and modalities, and standards of competence and practice. The practice of acupuncture involves inserting ultra-fine needles into the defined specific acupuncture points on meridians of the body, with a specific needling manipulation technique, for prevention and treatment of diseases. Acupuncture maybe used together with moxibustion, cupping, and other TCM treatment modalities.

There are 361 classical acupuncture points on the 14 meridians that cover the entire body and allow energy flow. These acupuncture points and meridians, mapped out thousands of years ago and confirmed by consistent practice, will produce predictable results in the body by skillful insertion and manipulation of specific points.

TCM acupuncture promotes natural healing, improves body function, balance and harmony. Modern science has confirmed several beneficial biomedical reactions following acupuncture treatments.

Over the course of thousands of years’ practice, acupuncture has been used to treat hundreds of diseases and conditions. It is proved that acupuncture is effective not only in pain management but can also treat dysfunction of specific organs and systems.

TCM acupuncture has been used to treat nausea, trauma, insomnia, addiction, fatigue, hypertension, stroke, stress, mental disorders, menstruation problems, infertility, erectile dysfunction, hypothyroidism, near-sightedness, hearing problems, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, tendonitis, TMJ, sciatica, knee pain, tennis elbow, just to name a few. Acupuncture is widely accepted for its natural curative effects, wide range of indications, simple and safe practice, and low cost. After a recent review of clinical trials by the World Health Organization (WHO), over 100 diseases and conditions were recommended for acupuncture treatment. Today, more and more diseases and conditions are added to the list of indications for acupuncture.

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Adverse effects or complications related to acupuncture are very rare if performed correctly by Registered Acupuncturists who have received comprehensive education and passed stringent evaluation for safe delivery of acupuncture care.

The efficacy of acupuncture has been demonstrated through several research studies, but more research is needed to gain a better understanding of acupuncture from a modern medical perspective.

History OF THE PROFESSION OF

acupuncturists in Alberta

Acupuncture is a restricted activity according to the Alberta Government Organization Act, Schedule 7.1. The profession of acupuncturists has been regulated in Alberta since 1988, under the Health Disciplines Act and Acupuncture Regulation.

Effective January 1, 2011, the College & Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAAA) was appointed by the Minister of Health to govern and regulate the profession in the public interest and support the acupuncture profession by setting high standards of practice, education, competence and ethical conduct.

The CAAA has been working to improve regulation of the profession in collaboration with its counterparts in Canada. Collectively, they have developed a more detailed Entry-level Occupational Competence Profile, and the Pan-Canadian Examinations for Traditional Chinese Practitioners, Acupuncturists and Herbalists.

The CAAA has been working to complete the transition of governance from the Health Disciplines Act to the Health Professions Act. The transition serves the best interests of the public, the profession and its governance.

Health promotion & PreservationWITH ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture and other modalities of TCM may also be used for disease prevention, health promotion, and health preservation. The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine (Huang Di Nei Jing) is the earliest known Chinese medicine text, states that: “Superior doctors prevent the disease; mediocre doctors treat the disease before it is evident; inferior doctors treat the full blown disease.”

Today, this same sentiment, increasingly common in Western Medicine and Western culture, is expressed by “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Clearly this approach is an important shift in thought, which can undoubtedly save the suffering of many patients, but also potentially significant health care costs.

The College & Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta (the CAAA) will work together with other health professions, governments, and communities to promote the health and wellness of Albertans.

Cost- effectivenessOF ACUPUNCTURE

The average cost of hospitalization in Alberta is at least $1400 per day. An emergency department visit for a migraine or a headache may cost up to $500 per visit. Many chronic diseases and conditions, such as hypertension, stroke, knee pain, sciatica, stress and some mental disorders, require long-term use of drugs and/or hospitalization. These conditions can often be treated effectively with acupuncture. The fee for acupuncture treatment is about $70 per session, which is significantly lower than the 1-day cost of hospitalization. Research has demonstrated acupuncture may reduce pressure on physicians and save cost for hospitalization and surgeries.

College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta www.acupuncturealberta.ca

HistoryOF THE PROFESSION OF

acupuncturists in Alberta

CAAA Contact Information

How to become AN ACUPUNCTURIST IN ALBERTA

Information about the Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examination is also available on the CAAA website.

Completion of a minimum 3-year program in comprehensive acupuncture education

Successful completion of the Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examination which includes both written and practical components

College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta

#201, 9612 – 51 Ave. NW

Edmonton, AB T6E 5A6

Phone: 780-466-7787Fax: 780-466-7251

admin@acupuncturealberta.ca

www.acupuncturealberta.ca

With increasing demand for acupuncture services, the number of registered acupuncturists in Alberta has experienced steady growth. Currently, there are about 800 registered acupuncturists in Alberta. The growth of this profession is also evident in other Canadian provinces.

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