About

Who We Are

The purpose of the Acupuncture Society of Massachusetts (ASM) is to promote and protect the practice of acupuncture in Massachusetts as well as educate the public and support the integration of acupuncture into American health care.  The ASM represents both acupuncturists and acupuncture students.

Our Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers who dedicate their time and efforts to support the mission of the ASM.

 

 

 

Emilie Gerber-Kunicka DAIH, M.Ac., Lic. Ac

Emilie Gerber-Kunicka DAIH, M.Ac., Lic. Ac

President

Vacant

Vacant

Vice President

Naomi Alson, M.Ac. Lic.Ac. Dipl.C.H

Naomi Alson, M.Ac. Lic.Ac. Dipl.C.H

Secretary

Vivien Wei Zhang, Lic. Ac.

Vivien Wei Zhang, Lic. Ac.

Board Member at Large

Bryn Clark, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.

Bryn Clark, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.

Board Member at Large

Geoff DePaula, M.Ac., Lic.Ac., Dipl.Ac. Dipl.C.H

Geoff DePaula, M.Ac., Lic.Ac., Dipl.Ac. Dipl.C.H

Board Member at Large

Katy Brier Szabo, M.S., Lic.Ac.

Katy Brier Szabo, M.S., Lic.Ac.

Board Member at Large

Laura Hamill

Laura Hamill

Student Board Member

Our Philosophy

ASM respects diversity among practitioners, generating cooperation and building a sense of community by sharing information, collaborating, and seeking input and involvement in decision and policy making by the membership. ASM also supports appropriate educational and competency standards for the profession and promotes research in acupuncture and Oriental medicine while remaining mindful that health is a reflection of the world-at-large and to promote and assist activities that nurture the health of our community, our nation and the world.

Become A Member

Sign The Petition

Petition to specify best practices of dry needling

Signature from

Dear legislators,

We, the undersigned are concerned that dry needling is not in the scope of practice by rule or law for any allied health professionals yet they are performing the invasive procedure of the insertion of needles for therapeutic release. Please move this bill forward to specify best practices and protect patients in the Commonwealth.

We ask for your support for the following to become law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as proposed in S 2463:

  1. Only those with a doctorate may perform dry needling/trigger point acupuncture
  2. That Dry Needling/Trigger Point Acupuncture is defined using the CMS CPT code group definition owned by the AMA: “The insertion of a needle into a trigger point, the manipulation of the needle, the removal of the needle”.
  3. No distal needling
  4. No electrical stimulation on needles
  5. Any significant adverse events (one requiring medical attention), be reported to the Board of Health within 48 hours
  6. 500 didactic and 150 clinical training hours requirement for this practice
  7. All practitioners will pass a third party national psychometric exam to both demonstrate competency and the ability not to harm.
  8. Anyone practicing dry needling shall obtain and maintain the advanced orthopedic clinical certification
  9. Anyone practicing dry needling shall meet the continuing education requirements for acupuncture
  10. The CNT course and exam taught by the CCAOM exam be passed by all practitioners of dry needling/trigger point acupuncture.
  11. Specific and appropriate written consent be obtained from the patient and malpractice insurance must specify dry needling/trigger point acupuncture coverage.

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133 signatures

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