Current status of acupunctiure in British Columbia, Canada / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

This paper gives an overview of acupuncture and moxibustion usage in British Columbia (BC), Canada. In Canada, acupuncture and moxibustion are handled and regulated differently in each province; in BC, it is managed and supervised through the Health Regulatory Colleges under the Health Profession Act. In the field of oriental medicine and acupuncture, the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC (CTCMA) has been established to manage and supervise doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine and oriental medicine practitioners, with specific duties that include public protection and the registration, examination, and evaluation of the quality of services of practitioners. The CTCMA is characterized by a centralization of operations that in Japan are carried out by several government agencies.Next, I will describe my impressions of acupuncture and moxibustion from those who I met in Vancouver, where I live, at the school I attended, at the clinic that I practice, etc. Although there are many Chinese immigrants, I did not feel that acupuncture and moxibustion are particularly widespread, but I got the impression that they are well recognized as a common treatment. Finally, I will briefly touch on the examinations and visa requirements for acupuncture and moxibustion practitioners who are considering immigration to Canada. Five years of education is required to take the examination, and although there are cases in which the content of education received in Japan can be transferred, it is better to receive acupuncture and moxibustion education in Canada. As health professionals, acupuncture and moxibustion practitioners can also earn points toward permanent residency. Canada's regulatory system for medical care is new in its institutional design and appears to be consistent throughout the health care system, as it comprehensively regulates all health professionals. The impression I gained is that acupuncture and moxibustion are recognized as effective treatments. Canada, a country of immigrants, has a national character that likes "new things" and accepts change flexibly, and there is much potential for acupuncture and moxibustion treatments to increase in the field of health care in the future.