Dear Friends,

The school year is ending, and it reminds me of completing my acupuncture schooling in 1985, twenty five years ago. I had been performing shiatsu massage since 1979 which started my strong interest in acupuncture & energy medicine. I had moved up to Connecticut from New York City in 1982 and started practicing acupuncture in 1985.

I thought it would be fun and enlightening to review some of the many changes I have witnessed in the practice of acupuncture.

Acupuncture Then and Now: Perspective of a Connecticut Acupuncturist

Professional Stature

1985-         Certified by the National Board NCCAOM, no Connecticut license

Now-         Licensed

                  1995- State of Connecticut grants licensing to acupuncturists

                  2009- Connecticut legislature grants title protection.  Only practitioners who are licensed can use the title “acupuncturist”

Connecticutwas one of the last of the New England states to grant acupuncture licensure. Two earlier bills were defeated in 1985 & 1991. Being “extra legal,” outside of regulation made it tough to get started in practice and to form professional relationships. Medical doctors were afraid to refer patients to me and there was no malpractice insurance available. Acupuncturists like me, “flew under the radar” until 1995. The prior years were a dangerous time for the profession in Connecticut as the practitioners who lost licenses in other states came to Connecticut and healthcare consumers had no standard or guidelines.

Public Perceptions

1985-         “Are you Chinese? I want to go to an Oriental, they know acupuncture best. It’s part of their culture.”

Now-         “Wow I really appreciate being able to talk to you about everything and am happy that you explain acupuncture so well.”

I actually had these or similar statements numerous times during the early years. I now rarely get comments as many more non-Asian Americans are performing acupuncture, By the way, does someone need to be French to become a talented French chef? What would Julia Child have said?

Number of Acupuncturists in Connecticut

1985-        About 20

Now-         Over 200

The acupuncture profession has grown though the Connecticut population is still under served compared to a state like California where acupuncture is well established. In the early days I personally knew every one who was practicing with National Board Certification. We drove from all over the state to meet in New Haven or Hartford to advance acupuncture licensing legislation. Connecticut now has the CSAOM, The Connecticut Society of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (website: www.csaom.org)

Public Knowledge

1985-         “What is acupuncture good for?”

Now-         “I want acupuncture for this (or that) problem, or I want acupuncture to de-stress and get some balance back into my life.”

I’ve noticed a significant change in public knowledge about acupuncture. Early on, few Americans knew what acupuncture was useful for, or how it worked. Now folks come to me who have a clear idea of the benefits they can gain from acupuncture. As more and more people experience acupuncture the word has gotten out about it and a level of sophistication has been reached. The media has been generally favorable in reporting on acupuncture and that has also helped.

Most Asked Question about Acupuncture

1985-         “Does it hurt?”

Now-         “Does it hurt?”

Some things don’t change!. The use of needles has always been a concern – it seems unbelievable to us that they can be used in a painless manner when we have all grown up with vaccination and lab needles that hurt because they are much larger, have a cutting tip and have to penetrate more deeply.  The superficial insertion to contact the Qi and the use of sterile disposable equipment makes acupuncture needles easy to take, although no manner or amount of talking gives credence to this. Most people need to experience it.

Low Level Laser Treatment (LLLT) and other modalities can be substituted for the needles and give good clinical results. The needles may never be fully replaced in the future because several areas can be treated at once to affect the entire energy grid of the body and needles are an efficient way to create powerful results.

The comparisons between then and now could go on- I wanted to give you a few to make you realize what pioneers we have all been – you receiving acupuncture and me performing it. I am deeply grateful to the many people I have treated. They have touched me with their problems and courage in seeking help.

Tens of thousands of needles, & tens of thousands of treatments later, I’m still passionate about acupuncture, It has been a joy to be a modern performing this ancient healing art that does so much good and helps so many.

How gratifying it is to see the practice of acupuncture expand. It’s been a great 25 years. I’m looking forward to more.

I had the question the other day “Is acupuncture good for sciatica?”

I replied “Oh yes, it is very effective, I’ve successfully treated it thousands of times.” And it’s true, I have.

Eileen Karn L.Ac.