ACUPUNCTURE IN MODERN MEDICINE

Acupuncture is a method of balancing the body's energy by inserting needles under the skin at specific points along energy pathways (meridians), to prevent or cure diseases and/or disorders. Modern approaches recognize that needles inserted at acupuncture points induce biochemical changes in the body.

PHILOSOPHY

It is our belief, as ethical practitioners that our professional practice must be in the best interest of our patients.

Acupuncture is a safe, effective way to complement and enhance conventional medical treatment.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute (AFCI) enhances the health and healing impact of acupuncture for Canadians through: 

• provision of competency-based continuing education in acupuncture for multi-disciplinary, regulated health professionals; 
• collaboration with government, regulators, consumers and insurers for access to, and funding for, acupuncture services;
• promotion of best practices and research in acupuncture;
• public outreach and education regarding the holistic benefits of acupuncture; and 
• provision of ongoing support, website and administrative services to members.

CORE VALUES

The Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute (AFCI) is committed to and guided by the following core values in all we do and represent.

Integrity Accountability Respect Inclusiveness Fiscal Responsibility

VISION

The Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute (AFCI) is a dynamic and respected global partnership of certified acupuncture practitioners and leaders, advising on and promoting the demonstrated benefits of acupuncture and providing an inclusive and diverse range of integrated continuing education programs in acupuncture, to regulated health professionals.

OBJECTIVES

1. To design and provide various educational programs in acupuncture to human-health professionals.

2. To promote acupuncture's legitimate place in western medicine and dentistry.

3. To promote the interests of the membership.

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Ethical Practitioners of acupuncture and Oriental Medicine shall:

• comply with the Code of Ethics of their professional regulatory bodies
• practice within their professional scopes of practice
• practice within the level of their training
• consult with or refer to more experienced and/or practitioners, as appropriate
• identify to the public, their correct professional designation and/or title with respect to their acupuncture and/or Oriental Medicine training

The Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute recognizes that there is an ethical responsibility for the various health care professions whose scopes of practice include acupuncture and/or Oriental Medicine, its modalities or techniques, to establish responsible standards of competency of acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for their profession.

POSITION ON SCOPE OF PRACTICE

The AFCI supports the inclusion of acupuncture as a method of treatment by health care professionals, exclusively within their professional scopes of practice, and within their level of training.

AFCI's unique, anatomically-oriented approach to the teaching of acupuncture is highly esteemed. Incorporating ancient, time- tested practices into modern western medicine, it can be learned readily by Physicians, Physiotherapists, Dentists, Chiropractors, Naturopathic Doctors, Baccalaureate prepared Registered Nurses and Liscensed Acupuncturists (they must be licensed to practice their health profession in the jurisdiction in which they are presently engaged in practice), allowing them to see immediate results in their practices. Because these professionals already have an understanding of anatomy, physiology and pathology, they are able to learn enough at the introductory level to begin applying simple acupuncture techniques in clinical practice with excellent outcomes.

"Classical acupuncture", the traditional Chinese system of diagnosing and treating pain and disease, is a significant part of the AFCI program. It broadens and enriches the modern anatomical approach. Students with a strong interest in classical concepts will find the AFCI teaching to be clear and comprehensive.

AFCI's ten-level curriculum is open exclusively to its members - - with the exception of Part 1, which also welcomes licensed practitioners of the professions mentioned above who are not AFCI members (proof of credentials is required, such as a current copy of your College license registration card). Small workshop groups with student participation are a key feature.

For further information, contact:
Cheryll A. Kwok, Executive Director
AFCI, 2l3l Lawrence Avenue East, Ste. 204
Scarborough, ON M1R 5G4 Canada

Telephone: 416-752-3988 Fax: 416-752-4398 Email: info@afcinstitute.com