An estimated 14,000 licensed acupuncturists practice in the United States today. After more than 30 years of clinical usage, the history of acupuncture in the United States has witnessed acupuncture becoming a modality for not only pain relief but also for treatment of many diseases.

There are now over 40 accredited acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) schools in the United States that have established national accreditation standards. The history of acupuncture in the United States has evolved to include more than 40 states that have legalized acupuncture and TCM practice. Acupuncture has since been recommended by the World Health Organization for the treatment of over 40 health conditions.

Originating in China over 2,000 years ago, the history of acupuncture in the United States has expanded to include acknowledgement of acupuncture as an effective therapy for several health conditions. An awareness of acupuncture in the United States began in the early 1970s with Richard Nixon´s trip to China. In 1971, a US press corps member required an emergency appendectomy in China during preparation for President Nixon´s visit and was given acupuncture for pain relief during recovery. This incident was one of the foremost examples of acupuncture that led to acupuncture practice in the history of acupuncture in the United States.

In 1972, the history of acupuncture in the United States witnessed the first United States acupuncture clinic, which opened as the Acupuncture Center of Washington. The center drew several hundred people daily to receive this new form of medicine. Staffed by New York City Oriental acupuncturists, the clinic treated over 250 people daily.

In the legal context of the history of acupuncture in the United States, the medical establishment attempted to stop acupuncture practice by taking the city of Washington, D.C. to court. The case was lost in favor of the acupuncturists. Acupuncture became an established therapy in the United States upon issue of an NIH consensus conference report stating that there was sufficient evidence to support acupuncture´s effectiveness for a range of conditions.

Acupuncture & Massage College´s Masters of Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs prepare graduates for careers as acupuncture physicians and massage therapists. For program information call Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500. For acupuncture treatment, request Dr. Richard Browne.