ICMART Education Committee

Training Requirements
Educational Elements Core Aspects of Training

Western medical anatomy and physiology relevant to medical acupuncture

By its nature, acupuncture is an invasive medical paradigm or technique. Consequently, it is imperative that anyone practicing acupuncture be well versed in the somatic, visceral, neurophysiologic and neuro-anatomical implications of thrusting needles into various body points. As a consequence of Western medical training, a physician has a thorough and extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Furthermore, as physician healthcare providers, we are held to a higher degree of diagnostic and therapeutic accountability. This increased standard further underlines our expertise and responsibility. These common medical elements added to appropriate acupuncture education and training distinguishes us as Medical Acupuncturists.

Acupuncture points and different ways of point selection

Acupuncture point technique and location selection is dictated by the various paradigms, methods and technical therapeutic applications of acupuncture in general and by the practitioner in particular. Segmental considerations, applicable neuro-physiological pathways, traditional concepts and myofascial trigger points are but a few of the particular acupuncture approaches that will influence and determine point selection.

Substantial commonality and significant diversity exist within ICMART. Our diversity reflects national and regional practice preferences as well as individual practitioner custom. Our commonalities include our Western medical knowledge, our additional acupuncture education and training and our devotion to the health and well-being of our patients. These common goals will lead us to mutual understanding and consensus.

Safe needling and other techniques

All Western physicians are knowledgeable and trained in safe needling techniques. Of course, sterile and preferably, disposable, acupuncture needles should be used. The acupuncture site should be clean and free of obvious infection. Additionally, whenever bleeding occurs, proper care should be taken to prevent the transmission of infection.

The application of laser and/or electro stimulation requires special training. Appropriate considerations as to indications and contra-indications should be made when utilizing these modalities and techniques.

‘Proper’ training

Each physician member of an ICMART affiliate organization should possess an active medical license. Additionally, above and beyond his/her Western medical education, said physician should have undergone formal acupuncture training in the application, appropriate use and integration of Medical Acupuncture into his/her biomedical practice and be legally permitted to perform Medical Acupuncture in the jurisdiction in which he/she practices.

Some form of testing/evaluation/examination

It is recommended and expected that all physicians formally trained in Medical Acupuncture will have undergone some type of testing or appropriate evaluation so as to assure the public and their colleagues of their competency to practice.

Use of acupuncture in Western medicine

The utilization of acupuncture as a medical paradigm or technique in the Western clinic, by a trained physician, can be very effective. Medical Acupuncture can be use adjunctive to, or as a substitute for, traditional bio-pharmacology or surgery. When employed adjunctively, Medical Acupuncture can compliment and enhance the effect of drugs, reduce their side effects, and decrease their dosage. Frequently, when a patient fails to respond to multiple medication or surgical interventions, Medical Acupuncture alone can be effective. Medical Acupuncture is used extensively with patients: in acute and chronic pain, as well as in those with functional and reversible organic disorders. Therefore, a Western trained physician, who is also trained in Medical Acupuncture, can offer his/her patient?s either/or a combination of Western medical treatment and Medical Acupuncture ? the best of both worlds.

Research

The goal of promoting scientifically sound inquiries into the clinical efficacy, physiological mechanisms, patterns of use, and theoretical foundations of acupuncture remain, in general, elusive. This is because acupuncture treatment is a procedure, not a drug. It is akin to surgery or a psychotherapy session. For this reason it has been very difficult to subject acupuncture to the gold standard of randomized blinded trials, and almost impossible to conduct truly double-blind trials. However, the experience of physicians who are conducting research into bio-pharmacology could provide crossover methodologies that could be utilized to facilitate acupuncture research in the future.

We must recognize a pluralistic approach to research methodology. This would include non-randomized studies, empirical observation, case studies, evaluations of practice-based data, and practice-based outcomes research. Also included would be epidemiological and surveillance studies, behavioural and quality of life studies, meta-analysis, etc. Of course, future investigators in acupuncture research must follow appropriate research protocols and provide subjects with the same protections as in conventional medical research.