Coalition for Safe Acupuncture Practice
Join the conversation!
Visit CSAP on facebook.
  • Home
  • Informational Flyers
  • Protest Signs
  • Library - Public
  • Contact Us
  • Library - Private
  • Speak out! CSAP Blog

Michigan & Acupuncture Deregulation OR why would Michigan's governor want to expose the public to the risks of Acupuncture done by improperly and/or untrained practitioners?

5/12/2012

1 Comment

 
One year ago, Michigan Governor Synder signed rules for Acupuncture Registration into law. This was an important piece of legislation to protect the public healthcare safety in Michigan. Previously in Michigan, anyone could present themselves as an Acupuncture practitioner and be qualified to administer Acupuncture. Since Acupuncturists insert thin, sterile needles into human body often in areas beneath which lie vital organs, an untrained person administering Acupuncture can cause potential organ puncture. The incidences of Acupuncture adverse events are very low when
that Acupuncture is performed by trained and licensed practitioners. In the United States, the Council of Colleges
of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Clean Needle Technique Test and the National Certification Commission
for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Acupuncture Board Examinations are modeled after the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations and guidelines for maintaining Acupuncture practice and safety.
The WHO writes:

“In competent hands, acupuncture is  generally a safe procedure with few contraindications or complications. Its most 
commonly used form involves needle penetration of the skin and may be compared  to a subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. Nevertheless, there is always a potential risk, however slight, of transmitting infection from one patient to another (e.g. HIV or hepatitis) or of introducing pathogenic organisms. Safety  in acupuncture therefore requires constant vigilance in maintaining
high standards of cleanliness, sterilization and aseptic technique. There are, in addition, other risks which may not be foreseen or prevented but for which the acupuncturist must be prepared. These include: broken needles, untoward reactions, pain or discomfort, inadvertent injury to important organs and, of course, certain risks associated with the other forms of therapy classified under the heading of "acupuncture".


 “Finally,there are the risks due to inadequate training of the acupuncturist. These include inappropriate selection of patients, errors of technique, and failure to recognize contraindications and complications, or to deal with emergencies when they arise.

“Generally speaking, Acupuncture treatment is safe if it is performed properly by a well-trained practitioner.
Unlike many drugs, it is non-toxic, and adverse reactions are minimal. This is probably one of the chief reasons why
Acupuncture is so popular in the treatment of chronic pain in many countries.”
[emphasis added](1) (1). "Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials: 1. General Considerations: 1.4. Safety." Web. 30 Dec. 2011.< http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4926e/3.4.html#Js4926e.3.4>.

Why would Michigan's Governor Snyder want to expose his state's residents to the dangers of Acupuncture done by improperly and/or untrained practitioners?



 
 
 
 
1 Comment

    CSAP

    Concerned citizen, Acupuncture devotee and lifelong student of all things.TCM

    Archives

    May 2012

    Categories

    All
    Colorado
    Florida
    Illinois
    Maryland
    Michigan
    North Carolina
    Washington

    RSS Feed