The Council of Chiropractic Acupunture
Though relatively new in the United States, the practice of Acupuncture has existed for well over 2,000 years. It has been practiced successfully in many countries around the world. It was not until the early 1970’s when Pres. Richard Nixon opened relations with China that acupuncture began its journey to the US.
Acupuncture began to be practiced sporadically by various health care physicians. Chiropractors, who understood the close relationship between chiropractic and acupuncture principles, were among the first clinicians to practice acupuncture. Dr. Richard Yennie, who was the first non-Asian physician to practice acupuncture in the United States, led a dedicated group of chiropractic physicians to develop nationally accepted standards regarding acupuncture. In 2005, these physicians came together to establish the Council of Chiropractic Acupuncture (CCA) of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) as a non-profit organization.
Today, the CCA represents chiropractic physicians practicing acupuncture throughout the United States. The CCA is dedicated to serving its members by providing the highest levels of training, experience and knowledge in the field of chiropractic acupuncture. The CCA also serves as a platform for improving intra-professional and inter-professional communications regarding the practice of chiropractic acupuncture.
Chiropractic Acupuncture Defined
Chiropractic acupuncture is the art, science and philosophy of treating disease and injury by stimulating specific energy modulating points on the skin and is an approved specialty within the chiropractic profession. Methods of stimulation include, but are not limited to: needle insertion, electrical stimulation, light, heat and pressure. Chiropractic acupuncture treats a wide variety of health conditions which includes all systems and tissues of the body and focuses special attention to the relationship between the spine, nervous system and the meridian system. Chiropractic acupuncture is inclusive of all diagnostic and therapeutic principles and procedures taught in acupuncture programs sponsored by CCE accredited colleges, chiropractic state associations and post-graduate certified instructors.
The CCA is one of eleven specialty councils under the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). Though we set our own bylaws and standards, they must be approved by the House of Delegates (HOD) within the ACA. We are governed by our bylaws. If we choose to make any changes to our current and active bylaws, we must submit them to the HOD and get a majority vote approving such changes. This process is arduous; therefore, any changes that need to be made must be necessary for the success of the CCA’s future.
The CCA is solely responsible for overseeing annual membership at every level, administering the Diplomate Exam Review, offering an annual CCE accredited symposium and holding an annual business meeting. The CCA is responsible for submitting any and all articles/announcements for publication. The CCA reports directly to the ACA.
The American Board of Chiropractic Acupuncture (ABCA) is the credentialing board for the CCA. They hold their own separate and distinct bylaws. Their bylaws must be approved by the CCA and also voted upon by the HOD. The ABCA develops all documents necessary to administer the Diplomate exam. They develop and administer the Diplomate exam. They credential all candidates who pass the Diplomate exam with their Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Acupuncture (DABCA). They oversee bi-annual Diplomate status renewal. The ABCA reports directly to the CCA, who in turn reports ABCA activity to the ACA.
The CCA member must maintain an active ACA membership to be a CCA member. Both memberships are renewed annually: October 1st of each year. The CCA is required to report active membership to the ACA in order to ascertain both CCA and ACA memberships are current. Should the ACA membership be dropped, the CCA membership will no longer be an option.
In order to maintain active DABCA status, the Diplomate must renew their DABCA bi-annually. In order to do so, they must provide the ABCA with proof of attendance to one CCA symposium (12 hours CCE) every two years, as well as, 12 additional hours CCE accredited acupuncture training.