Four times a year, BAF publishes a new patient brochure. This time, it focuses on
“acupuncture worldwide”
39,000,000 acupuncture treatments per year
With the upcoming legal recognition of the acupuncture profession, acupuncture has become a
frequently discussed topic in our media. Taking a brief look at how other countries handle this can give us an idea of why legal recognition is desirable. We’re familiar with Prince Charles’s support in England. We’re also pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of acupuncture in Obamacare.
Did you know that, despite the rapid Westernization in Beijing, 39,000,000 acupuncture
treatments are performed annually?
In the United States, according to the National Institute of Health, 3.1 million
adult Americans and 150,000 children were treated with acupuncture in 1996. Between
2002 and 2007, the number of treatments increased by another 1 million.
Acupuncture is also an integrated treatment method in the U.S. military and NATO.
Canadian politician George Abbott comments as follows: “Acupuncture treatment is one way to prevent illness and manage existing health conditions. We are making it easier for patients to access a treatment option that they might otherwise be unable to afford.”
Also interesting is the number of residents per acupuncturist:
Australia: 1 acupuncturist per 21,000 residents
New Zealand: 1 per 16,000
U.S.: 1 per 20,000
Belgium: 1 per 13,750