Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
Balance your body
Acupuncture 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.
What is TCM Acupuncture?
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.
Indications for Acupuncture
Over the course of thousands of years practice, acupuncture has been used to treat hundreds of diseases and conditions. It is proven 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.
History of Acupuncture 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.
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Effective Jan 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.
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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.
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*2021 update* Under the new governance of the Health Professionals Act (HPA), acupuncture is now regulated by the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA)