As Acupuncture is becoming more popular in the West, more medical practitioners (medical doctors, physiotherapists, naturopaths, midwives, etc) are studying Acupuncture and employing it in their practices, including other types of treatment such as “dry needling”, intra-muscular stimulation (IMS), and laser and auricular acupuncture, which are all originally based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture.
Unfortunately, the amount of training in both theory and practice can vary. Below is a list of the various types of certifications currently available in Canada:
MD or Physiotherapist:
- iSTOP (IMS) – 50 hrs
- Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute (AFCI) Level I – 90 hrs
- Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute (AFCI) Level II – 195 hrs
- Medical Acupuncture, University of Alberta – 200 hrs
- Medical Acupuncture, McMaster University – 300 hrs
Naturopathic physicians:
- College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC – 250 hrs
Registered Acupuncturists:
- CTCMA (Ministry of Health) – 1900 hrs (equivalent to 3 yrs)