There has been a change for the professional title of acupuncture in Rhode Island.
The professional title of an acupuncturist practicing in Rhode Island was “Doctor of Acupuncture (DA)”. This has changed. Legislation and the Department of Health have updated the title to be “Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine” (DAOM).
Trained DAOM’s offer a comprehensive medicine model that includes more than acupuncture such as:
- moxibustion (heat therapy)
- cupping
- tuina Medical Massage
- qi gong (chi kung)
- Gua sha (scrapping therapy)
- supplement therapy
- Chinese dieting therapy
- breathing exercises
- life-style change consultations.
Acupuncturists who have also formally studied Chinese Herbal Medicine and have past the NCCAOM national board exams for Chinese Herbology will have an extended professional title: Doctor of Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine and Chinese Herbology (DAOMCH).
See these direct links for the complete legal language and stay informed:
- Rhode Island General Laws 5-37.2-2. Definitions
- Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 5-37.2 – The Healing Art of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
- Alternate source: Chapter 5-37.2 The Healing Art of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Rhode Island General Laws 5-37.2-2. Definitions
(1) “Acupuncture” means the insertion of needles into the human body by piercing the skin of the body, for the purpose of controlling and regulating the flow of energy and blood in the body.
(2) “Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine” means a person licensed under the provisions of this chapter to practice the art of healing known as acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
(3) “Oriental medicine” means a form of health care, based on classical Chinese medical concepts and modern Oriental medical techniques, that employs Chinese medical diagnosis such as pulse, tongue, palpatory, and observational diagnosis, as well as acupuncture therapies and diagnostic techniques based on newer scientific models for the assessment, treatment, prevention, and cure of any disease with the purpose of full health restoration. The techniques and modalities of Oriental medicine include acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, laser acupuncture, moxibustion (heat therapy), cupping, TDP and infrared lamps, Tuina, Qi Gong, Gwa/sha, thermograpthy, herbal GMP standardized therapy, homeopathy and supplement therapy, chinese dieting therapy, breathing exercises, and life-style change consultations.
