Acupuncture is a system of diagnosis and treatment. The diagnosis is based on a comprehensive Chinese theory of energy balance. The treatment involves insertion of small solid needles into precise anatomical sites in the body to produce therapeutic effects. 

Medical Acupuncture Program Objectives

MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE PROGRAM
An Evidence-Based Approach to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Chair:  Dr. K. Trinh

The McMaster University Medical Acupuncture Program: An Evidence-Based Approach to Traditional Chinese Medicine is conducted at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University.  The first class was enrolled in 1999 and attended in 2000.  This program utilizes the most current evidence through clinical trials, and systematic reviews for point selections and applications.  Point locations are taught in anatomy labs, through illustrations in small group demonstrations and practice.  The more advanced concepts of the courses will be based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.  The acupuncture courses are designed specifically for the needs of Health Care Professionals who are seeking to advance their scientific evidence based knowledge of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

This program meets the Accreditation Criteria for The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, The College of Family Physicians of Canada and the American Medical Association PRA Category 1.  Our program fulfils the training requirements or is recognized by the Acupuncture Council of Ontario, British Medical Acupuncture Society, Canadian Academy of Medical Acupuncture, College of Chiropractors of Ontario, College of Massage therapists of Ontario and College of physiotherapists of Ontario. The program is also recognized by the Worker Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) of Ontario and many other major insurance companies for payments to Acupuncture Providers.

Acupuncture Patient Benefits

On November 3-5, 1997, an independent panel of experts at the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Conference stated that "Promising results have emerged showing efficacy of acupuncture in adult postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in postoperative dental pain."

"There are other situations, such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma, in which acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program."

The conclusion of the NIH Consensus Statement was, "There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture’s value to expand its use into conventional medicine and to encourage further studies of its physiology and clinical value." 

More and more third party Insurance companies and Worker Safety Insurance boards are recognizing the effectiveness of acupuncture, enabling patient treatments to be billable under most health and wellness plans.

McMaster Medical Acupuncture Program Highlights

• Learn the most current and compelling scientific evidence about acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts in a smaller group setting.
• Meet the accreditation criteria of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, The College of Family Physicians of Canada and the American Medical Association PRA Category 1.  Recognized by or met the training requirements of the Acupuncture Council of Ontario, British Medical Acupuncture Society, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia, College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, College of Chiropractors of Ontario, College of Physiotherapists of Ontario and other recognized professional bodies.
• Acquire the latest in medical research knowledge from core, basic, fundamental, and advanced acupuncture courses, as well as other special acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine seminar topics.
• Access select online acupuncture courses through the Internet.
• Visualize acupuncture point locations in an anatomy cadaver lab at the McMaster University School of Medicine, Continuing Education.
• Learn from and network with internationally recognized acupuncture experts such as Dr. Kien (Ken) Trinh, Program Chair and Faculty Member of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences. 

More information

For more information about the McMaster University Medical Acupuncture program, please see the Program Description and Acupuncture Course Description sections of this website  To receive a copy of our latest Program brochure and course dates, call (905) 546-5500 or E-mail: acupuncture@mcmaster.ca