D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-4706

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Rule 17-4706 - SCOPE OF PRACTICE

4706.1

The use of any of the following to effect therapeutic change is within the scope of practice of licensed acupuncturists and shall be performed only by acupuncturists licensed by the Board, or individuals otherwise permitted to use these devices pursuant to D.C. Official Code §§ 3-1201et seq.:

(a) Needles;

(b) Moxibustion;

(c) Teishin (pressure needles); and

(d) Electroacupuncture (current applied to inserted needles).

4706.2

Licensed acupuncturists may, in addition to the methods listed in § 4706.1, use any of the following as part of his or her professional practice:

(a) Acupatches;

(b) Acuform;

(c) Manual acutotement (stimulation by an instrument that does not pierce the skin);

(d) Acupressure;

(e) Cupping;

(f) Gua sha scraping techniques;

(g) Cold laser used for needle-less acupuncture; (h) Tuina;

(i) Massage, bodywork and somatic therapy;

(j) Ultrasonic;

(k) Thermal methods;

(l) Magnetic stimulation;

(m) Breathing techniques;

(n) Therapeutic exercise and techniques;

(o) Oriental dietary therapy;

(p) Lifestyle and behavioral education;

(q) Percutaneous and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation;

(r) Qigong;

(s) Biofeedback and other devices that utilize color, light, sound, and electromagnetic energy for therapeutic purposes;

(t) Diagnostic, assessment and treatment techniques that are taught in ACAOM-approved schools and through NCCAOM-approved continuing education courses and which assist in acupuncture and Oriental medicine diagnosis, corroboration, and monitoring of a treatment plan or in making a determination to refer a patient to another healthcare provider;

(u) Taiji;

(v) Energetic therapy; and

(w) Ashi acupuncture/dry needling.

4706.3

Licensed acupuncturists may recommend to patients the use of:

(a) Meditation; and

(b) Legal products intended to facilitate health, such as:

(1) Homeopathic medicine that is recognized in the official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States;

(2) Vitamins;

(3) Minerals;

(4) Enzymes;

(5) Glandulars;

(6) Amino acids;

(7) Nonprescription substances; and

(8) Nutritional or dietary supplements including botanical, mineral, or animal substances that meet Food and Drug Administration labeling requirements, 21 CFR part 101.36, unless otherwise prohibited by State or Federal law.

4706.4

Licensed acupuncturists may use the following when providing acupuncture:

(a) Solid filiform needles;

(b) Dermal needles;

(c) Plum blossom needles;

(d) Intradermal/press needles;

(e) Prismatic needles;

(f) Lancets; and

(g) Non-insertive pressure needles.

4706.5

Licensed acupuncturists shall not use the following when providing acupuncture:

(a) Staples;

(b) Hypodermic needles; and

(c) Subcutaneous permanently implanted needles or sutures.

4706.6

The only licensed acupuncturists who may practice Chinese Herbology are those qualified to do so under § 4707.

4706.7

Licensed acupuncturists may offer and provide to a patient, at fair market value, goods and devices related to the practice of acupuncture.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-4706

Amended by Final Rulemaking published at 66 DCR 7413 (6/21/2019)