ABOUT THE ACADEMY

HISTORY, OBJECTIVE & MEMBERSHIP

The International Academy of Medical Acupuncture Inc. was originally founded as the “Academy of Clinical Acupuncture” when it was established in 1973 in Kansas City, Mo. by Dr. John A. Amaro. This was just one year following President Richard Nixon’s historic diplomatic delegation to The People’s Republic of China. Thanks largely to journalist James Restons article “Now About My Operation” whereby he described his personal experience with acupuncture analgesia during an emergency appendectomy, the word “Acupuncture” was introduced to the American public, within weeks it had become a household word as interest and curiosity escalated. Due to overwhelming public interest, holistic minded physicians of all disciplines, began to seek an understanding of this seemingly strange healing art even though science and the general medical practitioner regarded acupuncture as “hypnosis” or “quackery”.

The popularity of acupuncture grew in its first two years of public awareness to incredible demands. Those early pioneers in acupuncture in the United States often reported of “waiting list” practices comprised of patients from literally all parts of North America as practitioners were very few and far between. All the while, the press continued to report of almost miraculous results from acupuncture creating even further interest.

By as early as 1974 more than 700 physicians had received formal education in Japanese and Chinese styles of Acupuncture from renowned Asian “Masters” through the “Academy of Clinical Acupuncture”, “Acupuncture Society of America”, “The International Pain Control Institute” and “Northeast College of Health Sciences (Frank J. Nicchi School of Continuing Education)”. In February 1978 the name of the Academy was lengthened to “The International Academy of Clinical Acupuncture” when certification programs for physicians were conducted across international borders in Toronto, Canada.

Since 1979, The International Academy of Clinical Acupuncture P.C. has presented over 1,500 symposiums, and Graduate School certification programs for physicians of various disciplines and health professionals to over 20,000 participants. These conclaves have been held in Europe, Australia, Taiwan, South East Asia, The People’s Republic of China, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Canada and The United States.

In 1985 to define the emerging technologically advanced diagnostic instrumentation and laser and electronic treatment modalities being developed in Asia, Europe and The United States, the term “Medical” acupuncture and Contemporary Chinese Medicine (CCM) began to be used by the Academy. This description served as a very important differentiation between those practitioners possessing a “Doctorate” degree in the “Healing Arts” (MD, DO, DC, DDS, DPM, ND) who utilize scientific and technologically advanced acupuncture procedures in addition to ancient principles and those non-physician practitioners schooled and practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Today, “The International Academy of Medical Acupuncture Inc.” exists as an Institute of higher learning dedicated to teaching physicians of all disciplines the ancient principles of acupuncture as well as the technologically advanced Contemporary Chinese Medicine (CCM) techniques and procedures as it is utilized as an adjunct to their respective specialties. The International Academy of Clinical Acupuncture P.C. now certifies physicians assistants, nurses and health team support staff in acupuncture for the primary goal of assisting the doctor in their inclusion of acupuncture.

"FELLOWSHIP" (FIAMA) CERTIFICATION

“Fellowship” Certification (FIAMA) is restricted to professionals possessing the degree of MD, DO, DC, ND, DDS and DPM.

Fellowship in the International Academy of Medial Acupuncture Inc. is earned after completing the requirements of its one-year program. The program consists of postgraduate accelerated didactic symposiums consisting of seven 15-hour didactic modules in addition to 200 hours of documented clinical applications over a period of one year (305 hours). Outside class study and assignments add hundreds of dedicated hours of study to the program.

The program terminates with the administration of both the International competency examination (5 hours), in addition to the “Blood borne pathogen/Clean needle examination.

Diplomate status (Dipl.Med.Ac. IAMA) may be earned by “Fellows” with the addition of the submission of 30 case study presentations utilizing the eight-page template the Academy provides as a guide (125 hours). The applicant has one year to present their case studies for peer review.

"CLINICAL TECHNICIAN" (CT) CERTIFICATION

Clinical Technician (CT) status is awarded to those non-physician health care support personnel, physician assistants, and nurses who complete the didactic program and successfully pass the final competency examination. The role of “clinical technician” is to assist the doctor utilizing acupuncture as a part of their practice. Certification is thru the International Academy of Clinical Acupuncture.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS

The “Fellowship” and “Diplomate” program is presented under the graduate school of Northeast College of Health Sciences (Frank J. Nicchi School of Continuing Education), formerly New York Chiropractic College. The didactic portion of the program consists of seven modules (15 hours per module) for a total of 105 hours. License renewal credit is applied in those states where the symposiums are being conducted and in many cases, neighboring states. Please verify license renewal with the IAMA if necessary.

northest-logo