Q.
What is acupuncture?
A.
"Acupuncture" means promoting, maintaining or restoring health
or diagnosing, preventing or treating disease based on traditional Oriental
medical concepts of treating specific areas of the human body, known
as acupuncture points or meridians, by performing any of the following
practices:
(a) Inserting acupuncture needles.
(b) Moxibustion.
(c) Applying manual, thermal or electrical stimulation or any
other secondary therapeutic technique.
Q. Who can perform acupuncture?
A.
A person holding a certificate as an acupuncturist may perform acupuncture.
No person may engage in the practice of acupuncture or use the title
"acupuncturist" or any similar title unless the person is
certified as an acupuncturist by the Department. An
individual holding a license, permit or certificate as a nurse, chiropractor,
dentist, medical doctor or optometrist
may engage in the practice of acupuncture if that is also included within
the scope of his or her license, permit or certificate.
Also, an individual may assist an acupuncturist in practice under the
direct supervision of that acupuncturist.
An individual may also engage in the practice of acupuncture as part
of a supervised course of study or residency program in acupuncture
that is approved by the department if the individual is designated by
a title that clearly indicates his or her status as a student or trainee.
Q.
What title can a certified acupuncturist use?
A.
Any person certified to practice acupuncture who has
been conferred the degree of doctor
of Oriental medicine may advertise his or her services as an acupuncturist
to the public using the title "doctor of Oriental medicine"
or "D.O.M.," if the title "acupuncturist," "
Wisconsin certified acupuncturist," or a similar title is used
in the same advertisement.
Q.
Can a certified acupuncturist perform acupuncture on an animal?
A.
No, acupuncture performed on an animal is the practice of veterinary
medicine for which a separate license as a veterinarian is required.
Q.
Can an acupuncturist prescribe prescription drugs?
A.
No, an acupuncturist does not have the authority to prescribe. An acupuncturist,
within their scope of practice, may recommend to a patient herbal or
vitamin supplements which will support the health of the patient. The
Wisconsin Attorney General has determined that vitamins, (and herbal
supplements which act as vitamins) are a food supplement. As such, no
prescription is needed for non prescription level doses. If you have
a question regarding a supplement that is recommended to you, consult
your physician regarding whether the supplement is appropriate for you
in combination with any other prescription or over the counter drugs
that you may be taking.
Q.
What is “Acupressure"?
A.
“Acupressure”, means the manual stimulation of acupuncture points.
Q.
What is “Herbal medicine”?
A.
"Herbal medicine" means the use of plant, animal and mineral
substances to assist in attaining or maintaining a state of health or
relief from symptoms of disease.
Q.
What is “Laserpuncture”?
A.
"Laserpuncture" means the use of lasers to stimulate acupuncture
points.
Q. What is “Moxibustion”?
A.
"Moxibustion" means the application of heat produced by burning
dried moxa wool to specific points of the human body other than the
burning of moxa wool directly on the skin.
Q.
What is “Needle sickness”?
A.
"Needle sickness" includes nausea, or dizziness, or other
physical discomforts resulting from acupuncture treatment.
Q.
How safe is acupuncture?
A.
When performed by a certified acupuncturist, the practice is very safe.
Specific rules apply to the use of needles and other equipment. All
nondisposable needles or acupuncture equipment that comes in contact
with a patient's blood or body fluids or penetrates the skin, or any
equipment used to handle or store needles must be sterilized after each
use. Prior to being sterilized, a ll equipment
must be thoroughly wiped clean with a disinfectant or cleansing solution.
Q.
How is sterilizing done?
A.
Sterilization, can be accomplished by one of the following methods:
(a) Autoclave for 30 minutes at 250º F., 15 pounds of steam
pressure.
(b) Dry heat sterilization for 2 hours at 338º F.
(c) Ethylene oxide.
Q. What means of sterilization may not be used?
A.
Boiling, soaking in alcohol or other antiseptic solution, or using a
glass bead sterilizer.
Q.
Does a patient have a choice to have the acupuncturist use disposable
acupuncture needles?
A.
Yes. Before any treatment commences, a patient must be given the option,
at the patient's own expense, to have treatment with disposable acupuncture
needles, which have been presterilized and prewrapped.
Q.
What must an acupuncturist do if he or she believes a patient has a
potentially serious disorder?
A.
When an acupuncturist encounters a patient with a potentially serious
disorder including, but not limited to, cardiac conditions, uncontrolled
hypertension, acute abdominal symptoms, acute undiagnosed neurological
changes, unexplained weight loss or gain in excess of 15% of body weight
within a 3 month period, suspected fracture or dislocation, suspected
systemic infection, communicable disease, any serious undiagnosed hemorrhagic
disorder or acute respiratory distress without previous history or diagnosis,
the acupuncturist must:
(a) In a non-emergency situation, request a consultation or written
diagnosis from a licensed physician prior to commencing acupuncture
treatment or continuing treatment if the situation is discovered in
the course of treatment.
(b) In an emergency situation, provide life support and transportation
to the nearest licensed medical facility.
Q.
Is an acupuncturist required to advise a patient to consult a physician
regarding the conditions for which the patient seeks treatment?
A.
Yes. An acupuncturist must have on file for each patient treated a written
confirmation signed by the patient and the acupuncturist acknowledging
that the patient has been advised to consult a physician regarding the
conditions for which such patient seeks acupuncture treatment.
Q.
Must an acupuncturist obtain a patient's informed consent prior to treatment?
A.
Yes. Informed consent requires the disclosure
to the patient of the availability of all alternate, viable modes of
acupuncture treatment and the benefits and risks of these treatments,
including the risks and benefits associated with the use of:
1. Acupuncture needles to stimulate acupuncture points and meridians,
including the specific risks of needling certain points.
2. Use of mechanical, magnetic or electrical stimulation of acupuncture
points, particularly in instances where such stimulation is applied
across the midline of the trunk or in patients with a history of heart
trouble.
3. Moxibustion.
4. Herbal medicine.
5. Laserpuncture.
6. Acupressure.
Also, the disclosure to the patient must involve a disclosure of the
side effects including, some pain at the site of needle insertion, minor
bruising, infection and the risks from bleeding in the vicinity of an
infection, needle sickness and broken needles.
