Acupuncture Organizations Have a Place at the Democratic Convention
Kristen Sparrow • September 05, 2012
This is great news, and kudos to these outstanding organizations for setting up these demonstrations. I don’t see the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture represented, no surprise, I guess, since it such a small organization.
WHAT: As part of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, national and state leaders in the acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) profession will join forces to host an exhibit booth at the American Presidential Experience marketplace to promote the availability of acupuncture services for all Americans. Nationally-certified and state-licensed acupuncturists from the North Carolina Association for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCAAOM) and the American Association for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) will be offering AOM information and demonstrations to illustrate the efficacy and necessity of such treatment to alleviate a variety of ailments. The media is encouraged to interview acupuncturists and representatives from AOM organizations throughout the week on a variety of topics, to highlight the many ways acupuncture services benefit consumers.
VISUALS: Reporters will be provided with a first-hand opportunity to access the following:
- Interviews with acupuncturists on the benefits of AOM treatments, a practice that has helped millions of consumers throughout the country
- Creation of amazing visuals as acupuncturists give live interviews while treating individuals with acupuncture
- Stunning still-photo opportunities
- Observation of live AOM demonstrations
WHY: The American Presidential Experience is the perfect venue to educate the American public on the benefits of AOM services, while informing them how to find certified and state licensed practitioners who provide better care, better treatment, and better outcomes. As acupuncture services continue to grow in popularity and use, more and more Americans are seeking these services to treat everything from pain to infertility.
- In the U.S., the use of AOM medicine is gaining widespread acceptance, with more than 29,000 certified or state licensed acupuncturists who generate annual revenues of more than $17 billion.
- According to a 2007 survey sponsored by the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 38% of U.S. adults use some form of complementary and alternative therapy, and 27% have tried acupuncture.
- With an increasing number of health insurance plans now reimbursing patients who turn to acupuncture services, usage in the U.S. is at an all-time high. According to the most recent Kaiser Family Foundation study, employees covered by acupuncture health benefits increased from 33% in 2002 to 47% in 2004.
