Double Standard in Acupuncture Less Effective & Waste Public Money

Despite petitions from the Chinese Medicine practitioners our government insists on allowing multiple standards for acupuncture in Ontario without broad based review of public opinion. Other regulated health professions are allowed to set their own standards with less training and without co-ordination from the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario, that is, they do not need acupuncture license to perform acupuncture.





It must be understood that western and Chinese medicine have different approaches in treating health problems. Chinese Medical diagnosis is based on philosophical concepts such as the Yin-Yang theory, meridian systems to evaluate the symptoms. Treatments are conducted according to the differentiation of syndromes. No direct correlation exists between western and Chinese medicine training. Competence and skills take time to learn and acquire. Less training means less effectiveness, also less safety procedures. By allowing multiple standards, the Liberal government:





1. Fails to emphasize competence and quality of acupuncture service by other regulated health professions.


2. Fails to inform and protect the unknowing public from less effective and less safe acupuncture service.


3. Causes the public and insurance companies to spend more money on ineffective treatments.


4. Will prolong patient suffering.


5. Violates the unwritten constitutional principle of respect for and protection of minorities, that acupuncture is not respected as a profession; your decision would increase availability of acupuncture service by other health professionals but reduce the availability of this service by traditional Chinese medicine acupuncturists in Ontario.


6. Will set precedence for other provinces and other countries to set multiple standards for health care services without letting the public know how it will affect them.





In view of the above adverse effects, for the benefits of Ontario residents we the undersigned agree:





The Liberal government to formulate a Traditional Chinese Medicine Act that incorporates one single standard for acupuncture to truly ensure high quality effective Acupuncture services in Ontario.