Definitions

Posted on March 26, 2021

Definitions worth noting

Holistic health:

emphasizes the well-being of every aspect of what makes a person whole and complete. And, in such holistic medicine seeks to treat the individual as a whole person (Ward, 1995). For example, within this approach, diagnosis and treatment would take into account the mental, emotional, spiritual, nutritional, environmental, and other factors surrounding the origin of disease (Cohen, 2003).

Acupuncture is not always holistic:

for acute pain, or acute post-operative conditions the goal is to treat the acute condition in order to keep it from developing into a chronic condition. Thus, it is not always necessary to treat in a holistic manner (as defined above).

Acute

“Acute conditions are severe and sudden in onset. This could describe anything from a broken bone to an asthma attack. A chronic condition, by contrast is a long-developing syndrome, such as osteoporosis or asthma. Note that osteoporosis, a chronic condition, may cause a broken bone, an acute condition.”

Definition of acute from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/18126.htm

Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.)

an individual who has completed enough education and training to take a state, or national examination. Acupuncturists are regulated at the state level, thus the scope of practice varies greatly between them.

Qualified medical evaluators (QMEs)

“are qualified physicians who are certified by the Division of Workers’ Compensation – Medical Unit to examine injured workers to evaluate disability and write medical-legal reports. The reports are used to determine an injured worker’s eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits. QMEs include medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, doctors of chiropractic, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, psychologists and acupuncturists.”

Definition from https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/medicalunit/qme_page.html

The Use of Acupuncture in the state of California for Work Injuries:

§9792.24.1. Acupuncture Medical Treatment Guidelines.

(a) As used in this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Acupuncture” is used as an option when pain medication is reduced or not tolerated, it may be used as an adjunct to physical rehabilitation and/or surgical intervention to hasten functional recovery. It is the insertion and removal of filiform needles to stimulate acupoints (acupuncture points). Needles may be inserted, manipulated, and retained for a period of time. Acupuncture can be used to reduce pain, reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, increase range of motion, decrease the side effect of medication-induced nausea, and reduce muscle spasm.

(2) “Acupuncture with electrical stimulation” is the use of electrical current (micro-amperage or milli-amperage) on the needles at the acupuncture site. It is used to increase effectiveness of the needles by continuous stimulation of the acupoint. Physiological effects (depending on location and settings) can include endorphin release for pain relief, reduction of inflammation, increased blood circulation, analgesia through interruption of pain stimulus, and muscle relaxation. It is indicated to treat chronic pain conditions, radiating pain along a nerve pathway, muscle spasm, inflammation, scar tissue pain, and pain located in multiple sites.

(3) “Chronic pain for purposes of acupuncture” means chronic pain as defined in section 9792.20(c). (b) Application (1) These guidelines apply to acupuncture or acupuncture with electrical stimulation when referenced in the clinical topic medical treatment guidelines in the series of sections commencing with 9792.23.1 et seq., or in the chronic pain medical treatment guidelines contained in section 9792.24.2.

(b) Application (1) These guidelines apply to acupuncture or acupuncture with electrical stimulation when referenced in the clinical topic medical treatment guidelines in the series of sections commencing with 9792.23.1 et seq., or in the chronic pain medical treatment guidelines contained in section 9792.24.2.

(1) Time to produce functional improvement: 3 to 6 treatments.
(2) Frequency: 1 to 3 times per week
(3) Optimum duration: 1 to 2 months

(d) Acupuncture treatments may be extended if functional improvement is documented as defined in Section 9792.20(f).

(e) It is beyond the scope of the Acupuncture Medical Treatment Guidelines to state the precautions, limitations, contraindications or adverse events resulting from acupuncture or acupuncture with electrical stimulations. These decisions are left up to the acupuncturist.

8 CCR 9792.20 defines “chronic pain”: