Membership Benefits
Leading the Profession
Acupuncture medicine defines the scope of primary Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Acs/LOMs), which includes related modalities (tui na massage, moxibustion, gua sha, cupping, and often herbal medicine) as taught in accredited Acupuncture Masters and Doctorate degree programs that incorporate a foundation of established frameworks designed to inform assessment, diagnosis, and application of acupuncture as a dynamic medical paradigm. Primary acupuncturists weave theoretical, diagnostic, and acupuncture frameworks into a complete practice that requires passing 3-4 national board exams after 3,000 hours of education and clinical internship. Secondary acupuncture providers utilize basic frameworks such as dry needling (trigger therapy), medical acupuncture, or ear acupuncture protocols that requires 0-300 hours of non-accredited training or oversight.
In professional acupuncture practice, there are many acupuncture approaches, styles, and applications. Which acupuncture styles, approaches, and applications a licensed acupuncturist uses, depends on the practitioner’s general practice population or specialty. Some examples of specialties include internal medicine, neurology, orthopedics, dermatology, ophthalmology, pediatrics, fertility, women’s health, men’s health, sports medicine, pain management, functional medicine, integrated medicine, and wellness.
The dynamic contribution of Chinese medical theories continues to inform and fill gaps in mechanisms of pain, function, and disease from cellular level to systemic influences. The Chinese medical framework of diagnosis facilitates the mechanistic understanding of modern and emerging diseases that inform the criteria for therapy aimed at resolution or maximum improvement. The Western medicine frameworks of moribund diagnoses are often limited to a collection of signs and symptoms, images, and blood work that support the criteria for surgery, diagnostic procedures, and management of symptoms through medication. However, the technological advancements are helping to explain and expand emerging integrated frameworks that are paramount for the changing paradigm of mainstream medicine away from sick management towards wellness.
Pennsylvania State Member Benefits
Be Represented. APA provides continual advocacy for professional privileges and rights.
- A professional lobbyist who is working on your behalf in Harrisburg
- Eligibility to join a committee and have a voice in the direction your profession is going in
- Student Members are allowed to run for the Student Representative on the Board, who gives voice to student concerns and is allowed a vote on all Board decisions.
- Automatic membership in the Acupuncture Society of America (ASA)
- Tuition discount on APA sponsored CEU / PDA seminars and on select adjacent state association sponsored seminars
- Promotion of your Practice on the APA Website
- Discounts at several acupuncture supply companies
- Insurance product discounts
- Certificate of Membership in APA for display in your practice
- Updates on APA Political Action
- PDA points for your NCCAOM re-certification. When you become actively involved in the board, committee or legislative action with the association we can offer up to 20 PDA points per re-certification cycle.
- Build Consumer Awareness of and Confidence in Your Practice: Belonging to a professional association provides greater consumer confidence. APA membership includes membership in the American Society of Acupuncture (ASA).
- National Updates
- Job Posting through the ASA and the APA
- Discount to the Annual ASA Meeting
- Receive Exclusive and Easy Access to APA’s Website Members’ Only Portal: Click here
- Access and Listing in our Practitioner Directory
ASA National Association Member Benefits
When you become a member of the American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA), you are joining a federation of other state associations. While each state association operates independently and has its own unique challenges, the ASA exists to provide support and resources by
1) Promoting the practice of acupuncture and herbal medicine
2) Gathering and sharing information and best practices related to governance, advocacy and membership
3) Unifying the profession and collaborating in advocacy efforts
4) Offering individual discounts to products and services for professional members
Membership Benefits
Representation
Leadership
Advocacy
Information, Communication and Promotion
Insurance for Acupuncture
Individual Members
Annual Conference- Opportunity for professional members and students to commune and learn. Vendors, schools and supporters of the profession are present. CEU and PDA credits are available.