Acupuncture Medicine Day 2020 is particularly important and unique. The challenges faced by practitioners this year during the unprecedented pandemic of COVID-19 have made us stronger and more united and we have learned many lessons of survival. The profession has much to be proud of as we use our powerful voices to be catalysts for change and our passion for the medicine to be a bridge of healing in our hurting world.
The NCCAOM and American Society of Acupuncturists – ASA are proud to announce the winners of the 2020 Acupuncture Medicine Day Video Contest. Video entries were encouraged to demonstrate the following three categories: Acupuncture Safety during COVID, Demonstrating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Acupuncture, and/or Acupuncture Accessibility and Community Engagement. The winning videos were selected by voting from the public and an NCCAOM and ASA panel of judges.
- The video chosen to best embody Acupuncture Safety during COVID-19 pandemic category is:
Earley Wellness Group COVID-19 Protocol by Debora Earley
- The video chosen to best embody Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Acupuncture category is:
The Point Is by Louis Jin
- The video chosen to best embody Acupuncture Accessibility and Community Engagement category is:
Bringing Acupuncture Medicine to the Underserved by Dan WunderlichCongratulations to the winners! And thank you to all participants for your time and effort to make this celebration shine!All video entries are available on the NCCAOM YouTube channel
AOM DAY PARTNERS
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day is supported through a unique international partnership of organizations including the United States, Canada, Mexico and Pakistan. The partnership includes professional associations, research organizations and educational institutions.
American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
American Society of Acupuncturists
ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE & HERBAL MEDICINE DAY
Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Day is observed annually on October 24 since its initial commemoration on October 24, 2002. It is part of an effort designed to increase public awareness of the progress, promise, and benefits of acupuncture 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. When megavitamin therapy and prayer specifically for health reasons is included in the definition of CAM, the number of U.S. adults using some form of CAM in the past year rises to 62%. Among the common CAM practices identified by the survey were acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine, tai chi and qi gong.
A survey by the NCCAOM 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 (48%) of the individuals surveyed who had received acupuncture reported that they were extremely satisfied or very satisfied with their treatment. In addition, one in five (21%) of the total NCCAOM survey respondents reported that they had utilized some other form of alternative medicine besides acupuncture, such as herbs or bodywork (e.g., shiatsu).
These studies and others like them clearly demonstrate that CAM therapies 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.
2024 AHM DAY Celebration Events
1. Town Hall
AHM Coalition’s Plan for Integration Through Collaboration
Join Michael Taromina as he leads a frank discussion on securing the future of Acupuncture in the U.S. with the national leaders of the AHM Coalition:
John Yoo, ACAHM, Board Chair
Thomas Kouo, CCAHM, Vice President
Molly Ford, NCCAOM, Director of Government Relations
Olivia Hsu Friedman, ASA, Board Chair
Scheduled for October 24, 2024, at 7:00 PM EST.
Free 1 PDA Point (AOM-BIO).
To Register, click here.
For this year’s Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Day, you can organize a variety of activities to promote awareness, education, and engagement with the public. Here are some ideas to consider:
1. Free or Discounted Acupuncture Sessions
- Partner with local practitioners to offer free or discounted acupuncture and herbal consultations. This can help introduce new clients to the benefits of acupuncture.
2. Virtual and In-Person Workshops
- Host educational workshops or webinars on the benefits of acupuncture and herbal medicine. Topics could include:
- Introduction to Acupuncture
- How Acupuncture Supports Mental Health and Stress Relief
- Herbal Medicine for Common Ailments
- Acupuncture for Pain Management
3. Panel Discussions and Q&A Sessions
- Organize panels with certified acupuncturists and herbal medicine experts to discuss the latest research, case studies, and patient success stories. Include a live Q&A segment for public interaction.
4. Herbal Medicine Demonstrations
- Conduct live demonstrations on preparing common herbal remedies. This could include showing participants how to make teas, tinctures, or topical applications using herbs.
5. Social Media Campaign
- Run an awareness campaign on social media platforms using educational posts, infographics, and testimonials from patients who have benefited from acupuncture and herbal treatments. Use hashtags like #AcupunctureHerbalMedicineDay.
6. Patient Success Stories and Testimonials
- Share success stories from patients who have seen positive results from acupuncture and herbal medicine. This could be done through blog posts, videos, or interviews shared on your website and social channels.
7. Collaborations with Health Organizations
- Partner with hospitals, wellness centers, and other healthcare organizations to raise awareness and integrate acupuncture and herbal medicine into discussions about holistic health.
8. Interactive Online Events
- Create quizzes, interactive polls, or challenges around acupuncture and herbal medicine facts to engage the public, and offer prizes such as free consultations or wellness products.
9. Herbal Medicine Pop-up Stations
- Set up pop-up booths in local wellness centers, spas, or farmer’s markets where experts can provide information on common herbs, offer small samples, and give tips on incorporating them into daily health routines.
10. Educational Handouts and Brochures
- Distribute brochures or fact sheets at clinics and wellness centers explaining the benefits of acupuncture and herbal medicine, and provide information on how to find licensed practitioners.
11. Collaborative Events with Yoga and Meditation Studios
- Partner with yoga and meditation studios to offer joint events that highlight the synergy between acupuncture, herbal medicine, and mindfulness practices for complete wellness.
These activities can help promote acupuncture and herbal medicine’s role in integrative health, increase public engagement, and provide an educational platform to celebrate the day.
ASA is working with states on state proclamations. All approved state proclamations are posted on the AHM Day website as well as on ASA and NCCAOM websites.
This year AHM Day presents an exceptional and significant opportunity for us to express and share our profound appreciation and admiration for acupuncture with the entire world.
AHM Day serves as a platform for practitioners, patients, and students to come together and highlight the myriad reasons why acupuncture holds a special place in our hearts.
To enter, Click Here.
All approved entries receive 2 NCCAOM PDA points and are posted on the NCCAOM Instagram and Facebook pages. The winning photos will be posted on the NCCAOM and AHM Day websites and featured during our AHM Day Town Hall meeting on October 24, 2024. Winning Photo entries will also receive a free voucher towards NCCAOM Certification, NCCAOM Recertification, or NCCAOM Exam.
- Follow NCCAOM on Instagram
- Submit Photo and brief description fitting one of the categories.
- Earn points by engaging with your entry.
This year’s categories for submissions are:
- I love what I do (Acupuncture and/or Herbal treatments) -practitioner perspective.
- I love Acupuncture – patient perspective.
- I love Acupuncture – student perspective.
*One winner will be selected in each category*
Note: photos showing individually identifiable patient information are considered protected health information. Patient consent is required for posting.
5. AHM Day Nationwide Press Release
This year, the NCCAOM will be spreading the word about AHM Day through the many media outlets throughout the country by sending out a nationwide press release promoting AHM Day events and activities.