Medical acupuncture refers to acupuncture performed by medical doctors and other physicians. These practitioners hold full medical degrees, and many add acupuncture to an existing practice. However, their acupuncture training is usually far shorter than that of a licensed acupuncturist. Understanding that difference helps patients choose the right provider.
What Is Medical Acupuncture?
In the United States, medical acupuncture generally refers to acupuncture delivered by an MD or DO. Physicians bring deep training in Western diagnosis and pharmacology. As a result, they often use acupuncture as one tool alongside conventional treatment. Their approach tends to center on a smaller set of points, frequently for pain. That focus can be useful. Still, it differs from the full diagnostic system of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
How Much Training Do Physicians Receive?
Physician training in acupuncture is relatively brief. The World Health Organization recommends 200 hours of formal training for physicians who add acupuncture to their practice. Board certification through the American Board of Medical Acupuncture requires at least 300 hours. It also requires an exam and documented clinical experience. Beyond that, requirements vary by state.
Acupuncture training hours by credential — from 220 hours for medical doctors to 5,554 at Dr. Tony Willcox’s PhD level.
Training Hours for Licensed Acupuncturists
Licensed acupuncturists follow a different path. A master’s-level program typically includes more than 2,700 hours of training. That time covers acupuncture theory, point location, supervised clinical practice, and biomedicine. Graduates must also pass national board exams through NCBAHM — formerly NCCAOM — before licensure.
Doctoral training goes further still. An acupuncture physician with a clinical doctorate has completed over 4,300 hours. With a PhD in acupuncture added, training can exceed 5,500 hours.
Medical Acupuncture vs. an Acupuncture Physician
In Florida, a licensed acupuncturist holds the title Acupuncture Physician (A.P.). Dr. Tony Willcox, PhD, D.A.O.M., A.P., brings two doctorates to his practice in Delray Beach. First, he earned a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in the United States. Later, he completed a PhD in Acupuncture at Anhui University of Chinese Medicine in China. Read more about his years of training in China.
In short, the gap between medical acupuncture and an acupuncture physician is mostly one of depth. A physician adds a focused skill set to a medical career. An acupuncture physician, by contrast, has made acupuncture the career itself. Dry needling raises a similar question — see acupuncture vs dry needling.
Questions to Ask Any Acupuncture Provider
No matter who provides the care, patients deserve clear answers. Before booking, consider asking:
- How many hours of acupuncture training have you completed?
- Are you board-certified, and by which organization?
- How long have you practiced acupuncture?
- Do you coordinate care with my physician?
Both physicians and licensed acupuncturists can be skilled providers. These questions simply help patients understand the training behind each treatment.
Not sure which is right for you? Call Acupuncture Zen at 561-633-3537 to schedule a visit in Delray Beach.
