October 24th is AOM Day! Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day is observed as part of an effort designed to increase public awareness of the progress, promise, and benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
An estimated 36% of U.S. adults use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), according to a survey by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a component of the National Institutes of Health. Among the common CAM practices identified by the survey were acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine, tai chi and qi gong.
A survey by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine found that approximately one in ten adults had received acupuncture at least one time and 60% said they would readily consider acupuncture as a potential treatment option. Nearly half of those surveyed were very satisfied with their treatment, and one in five of the respondents had utilized some other form of Oriental medicine besides acupuncture, such as herbs or bodywork.
These studies and others like them clearly demonstrate that CAM therapies such as acupuncture and Oriental medicine are common practice in today’s health care system. They also support the need for consumers to be provided accurate and reliable information regarding their treatment options.
Check out the entries in the “Because It Works” video contest! Winners will be announced on the 24th.
Interested in becoming a certified acupuncture professional? Visit the campus web site nearest you: