The members of this profession must call upon a distinctive, systematic body of knowledge in assessing, treating or serving their patients/clients. The core activities performed by members of this profession must be discernible as a clear and integrated whole and must be broadly accepted as such within the profession.
Traditional Chinese Medicine, also referred to as Oriental Medicine, is an established, distinctive and systematic body of knowledge
The components of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are numerous, but are briefly delineated as follows:
Primary Modality – Acupuncture and Acupressure (Laser, thermal and electrical equipment can be used to administer acupuncture)
- Body
- Face
- Hand
- Foot
- Auricular
- Scalp
- Tongue
Primary Modality – Moxibustion
- Cupping
- Moxabustion
Primary Modality – Herbology
- Plant
- Animal
- Mineral
- Fungal
Primary Modality – Nutritional Counseling
- TCM based
- Common Herbs
- Vitamin and Minerals
- Supplementation
Primary Modality – Tuina
- Massage
- Guasha
- TCM Orthopedics and Traumatology
Primary Modality – Exercise Regimen
- Qi Gong
- Tai Chi
The professional activities of Acupuncture according to Traditional Chinese Medicine include diagnosis based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theories; selection of principles, methods, modalities, and plans for the treatment of a patient; and the application of those treatments accordingly.
Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis is based on the following: inspection, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry, pulse taking, palpation and differentiation of syndromes according to the principles based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theories.
The modalities of registered Acupuncturists will include Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Nutritional Counseling, Tuina, and exercise regimen as outlined above.
The Canadian Alliance of Regulatory Bodies for Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists (CARB-ACOR TCMA) have developed pan-Canadian standards for the profession. They have published two key documents, the “Entry level Occupational Competencies for the Practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Canada” and “The examination blueprint for Traditional Chinese Medicine”
At this time, the Health Professions Act and the Acupuncturists Regulations pertain to Acupuncture based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and do not include the full scope of the profession. Advanced education in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine included extensive training in Herbology. The national competencies have already been established. We have the assurance of the Government that the full scope of the profession will be regulated under the College and Council in the future.
Acknowledgement: The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Newfoundland and Labrador extends gratitude to the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada (CMAAC) for providing the summary information on Traditional Chinese Medicine to use and amend for its own purpose in this province.