The practice of acupuncture has been practiced for over 2000 years, starting in mainland China and of course, coming Stateside after Nixon's "opening" with China in the early 1970's. Since that time, the U.S. has developed a national standards and licensing procedures and many individual states also require licensing exams be passed before one can practice the art and science of acupuncture.

I am currently a graduate student at New England School of Acupuncture which is a college within Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences here in Massachusetts. Minimum requirements to even APPLY for a license are a graduate degree (Masters or Doctorate) from an accredited 3 year program/college. Our studies are long and serious, after all, we are working with needles -- penetrating the body in various places. In order to do this well, without harming someone, you have to be TRAINED in the Chinese tradition and combining it with western anatomy. And it's not just anatomy of joints, tendons, ligaments and bones -- one MUST KNOW where and how deep all of the vital organs are!!  There are so many unfortunate cases and lawsuits where un-licensed practitioners have inflicted pneumothorax (puncturing the lung and/or the peritoneum) and creating a life-threatening situation. This is a very important part of our training -- to avoid cases like this. We have required courses in cadaver dissection in order to learn all of this in 3-dimensional, reality.

I think it's wonderful that PT's are so interested in using needles -- that's great!  Now let them return to school and receive the proper training and licensing before putting the population at risk!  Also, we as Licensed and degreed acupuncturists are very knowledgable about anatomy and physiology and kineisology, but we would never presume to take on the duties and practices of a Physical Therapist. Sometimes I've hear PT's say they took a 25 or 50 hour course in acupuncture -- again, that's nice, but it's not 3 years of training, including clinical internship hours.

I don't feel that I am against Physical Therapists -- they are great in what they are trained in. I would ask that Virginia state respect the practice and training of acupuncturist who have spent long years studying for our degrees and licenses as well.

Thank you for your support!