Welcome to Acupuncturists For a Healthy Minnesota where our goal is to work with Minnesotans to make Minnesota healthier by including access to care provided by Licensed Acupuncturists through advocacy and education.

Please meet some of the local Licensed Acupuncturists in your communities and check out our community news and update page. Acupuncturists interested in being added to our local acupuncturists page please complete this form. Google Form

What is a Licensed Acupuncturist

Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Ac) maintain and restore the health of patients through the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of health conditions, utilizing a uniformly based set of principles and algorithms based on classical Chinese medical theory, and informed by modern science and medicine. Acupuncturists apply numerous modalities which may include acupuncture needle insertion, manual therapies, tool-assisted technique, moxibustion, lifestyle and diet counseling, herbal medicine and supplements, breathing and exercise therapy.

Licensed Acupuncturist Training

Graduate from an Accredited Professional Masters or Doctorate Program including training in biomedical anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of the human body; basic knowledge of western medical disease process and pharmacology, through the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine.

Must pass the Clean Needle Technique in person practical course, through the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine.

National Certification, attained by passing 3-4 independent national board examinations, through the National Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Licensed by Medical Board or Local State Governing Board

Rebranding of acupuncture and tools of cultural medicine

•Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been in practice in the US since the 1700’s. 

•The acupuncture needle is one of the oldest tools for pain management and comes in different sizes and shapes. 

•The techniques developed from the people and cultures of China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam are different. The needle may be used shallowly, within muscles, deep to the bone level or deep into joints depending on style of acupuncture.

•The needle may be manipulated in different styles for seconds or minutes and may be left in the body for seconds or minutes. 

•The mapping of acupuncture points was first developed by the Chinese and are used today. The comparison of these points to anatomical neuromuscular use by anesthesiologists for pain in the local area or regional pain are often the same. 

•Licensed Acupuncturists have extensive training in the location of acupuncture points and knowledge in anatomy and physiology to provide safe treatments.

There is currently a push to rebrand acupuncture and many of the tools of this cultural medicine, it needs to stop! Support our effort to educate and include traditional medicines in healthcare. Email us now to let us know how you can support our efforts. acupuncturists4healthymn@gmail.com