Advocacy
CSOMA is aware of recent media coverage reporting that Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt experienced a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) following a dry needling procedure. While pneumothorax is a rare complication of needle-based therapies, CSOMA has received an alarming and growing number of reports from the athletic community involving injuries associated with dry needling performed by providers who are not licensed acupuncturists.
Based on reports and testimonials submitted to CSOMA, these injuries have resulted in significant consequences for athletes, including:
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Lost playing time for Division I and professional athletes
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Negative impacts on draft status and recruitment opportunities
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Premature or permanent loss of athletic careers
We have learned that the procedures in these cases were performed by unlicensed practitioners using the term “dry needling” to describe what is, in practice, acupuncture performed without the education, clinical training, or licensure required of acupuncturists.
In addition to pneumothorax, nerve injury is a known risk of needle-based therapies when performed improperly or by individuals without sufficient training. These risks underscore the importance of appropriate education, anatomical knowledge, and regulated clinical experience when inserting needles into the body.
Our intention in responding is not to comment on the specifics of any individual case, but rather to use this moment to help the public better understand an important and often misunderstood issue: the difference between acupuncture and dry needling.
Dry Needling Is Acupuncture—by Law and by Science
Dry needling is not a new or separate modality. It involves the insertion of solid filiform needles into the body for therapeutic effect—the very definition of acupuncture under California law. The needles used, the anatomical targets, and the physiological mechanisms are the same.
In California, the insertion of acupuncture needles for therapeutic purposes is legally defined as the practice of acupuncture and is restricted to licensed acupuncturists and physicians. This framework exists for one primary reason: public safety.
Training Standards Matter
Licensed acupuncturists in California complete more than 3,000 hours of formal education, including approximately 1,000 hours of supervised clinical training. Their education includes detailed instruction in anatomy, physiology, depth and angle of needle insertion, contraindications, risk management, and emergency response.
By contrast, dry needling certifications for other healthcare professionals may involve as little as 20–30 hours of coursework, often without standardized oversight or clinical supervision requirements. While many healthcare professionals are highly skilled within their own scopes of practice, brief training courses do not provide equivalent preparation for performing invasive needle procedures safely across all regions of the body—particularly near vital organs such as the lungs.
Acupuncture needles are classified by the FDA as Class II medical devices, meaning they carry inherent risk and require appropriate training and regulation.
CSOMA’s Ongoing Advocacy for Patient Protection
CSOMA has consistently worked to protect the public by advocating for clear, enforceable standards around acupuncture needle use. Most recently, our lobbyist—on behalf of the California Acupuncture Coalition—submitted formal comments to the Physical Therapy Board of California reaffirming that dry needling falls within the scope of acupuncture and should be held to the same licensure and safety requirements.
Allowing invasive needle procedures to be performed without the rigorous training required of licensed acupuncturists creates confusion for patients, undermines California’s regulatory system, and increases the risk of preventable harm.
Our Position Is Simple
Our position is about patient safety, informed consent, and appropriate standards of care.
CSOMA believes that:
- Dry needling is acupuncture.
- Acupuncture should only be performed by practitioners with comprehensive, regulated training per the California Acupuncture Board’s Laws and Regulations.
- California’s existing licensure standards are essential safeguards for the public.
We encourage patients to ask questions about their provider’s training and licensure before receiving any needle-based treatment. We also urge regulatory bodies to uphold the standards that exist to protect the health and safety of all Californians.
Respectfully,
CSOMA
Media contact: Dr. Robyn Adcock, LAc, Executive Director
12/16/25
Advocacy
Below is a written response to the Physical Therapy Board of California reflecting our position on dry needling. Submitted by our lobbyist, who is funded in partnership with the California Acupuncture Coalition, Townsend Public Affairs, Inc.
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Dear Dr. Brandon and Members of the Board,
My name is Drew Fiske, and I am submitting this written response following my public comments delivered during the June 25–26, 2025 meeting of the Physical Therapy Board of California. I spoke on behalf of the California Acupuncture Coalition during Items 6, 12, and 22, and would like to formally reiterate and expand upon those remarks for the written record.
Item 6 – Review and Approval of March 18–19, 2025, Meeting Minutes
During the discussion of the March meeting minutes, I addressed a claim made by a presenter that California patients do not have access to dry needling unless they leave the state. This is factually incorrect. Dry needling is already provided by licensed acupuncturists in California as part of regulated and comprehensive care. This technique is accessible, legal, and practiced under strict licensure requirements. We respectfully request that the official record reflect this clarification to avoid any future misinterpretation.
Item 12 – Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda
I raised significant concerns about proposals to permit physical therapists to perform dry needling without being licensed acupuncturists. Dry needling is not a distinct or novel treatment—it is acupuncture by both legal and scientific standards. It involves the same needles, targets the same areas of the body, and produces similar physiological response.
In California, inserting needles for therapeutic effect is defined as the practice of acupuncture and is restricted to licensed acupuncturists and physicians. Acupuncturists are required to complete over 3,000 hours of education, including nearly 1,000 hours of supervised clinical training. In contrast, dry needling certification for PTs may require as little as 20 to 30 hours, with no uniform regulatory oversight.
Acupuncture needles are classified as Class II medical devices by the FDA and carry inherent risk. Using these devices without adequate training jeopardizes patient safety and undermines California’s regulatory framework.
Item 22 – Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda
In closing, I’d like to emphasize our concern with how dry needling continues to be framed as a separate and independent practice from acupuncture. This framing is misleading. The techniques overlap significantly—both in terms of clinical application and physiological effect—and dry needling clearly falls within the scope of acupuncture as defined by California law.
When individuals are allowed to perform invasive procedures like dry needling without meeting the rigorous training and licensure standards required of acupuncturists, it opens the door to confusion, inconsistent care, and increased risk to patients. The issue here is not just terminology—it’s about protecting the public and preserving the integrity of California’s regulatory system.
We respectfully urge the Board to remain vigilant in ensuring that any practice involving acupuncture needles is held to the same professional and safety standards already in place.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the meeting and to submit this written response. We appreciate the Board’s continued commitment to upholding high standards of safety and professionalism in healthcare practice across California.
Sincerely,
Drew Fiske
Townsend Public Affairs, Inc.
Advocacy
CSOMA has submitted a formal letter to Governor Newsom—“Support for Preserving Medi-Cal Acupuncture Benefits in the Final State Budget”—on behalf of our members and in partnership with the California Acupuncture Coalition. You can read the full letter here.
Events & CEUs
April 22
California Acupuncture Lobby Day – Sacramento
Tuesday, April 22 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
While this is a day-long event, you’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like—what matters most is that you show up!
Join us on the steps of the State House to remind our legislators that acupuncture services are essential to patients’ lives and well-being.
This educational lobby day is an opportunity to make connections, meet legislators, and educate them on our professional degree, practice, and the safety and efficacy of acupuncture and herbal medicine.
GET INVOLVED: Walk to the Capitol, meet with legislators, provide ear seed treatments.
CONTACT: Acupuncture lobbyist, Niccolo De Luca, (ndeluca@townsendpa.com), if you are interested in meeting with legislators, providing treatments, or have questions about participating.
AGENDA:
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Arrival
10:30 AM | Walk to Capitol
10:45 AM | Divide into Groups:
(1) Legislative Meetings
(2) Clinic Set-Up & Needle Expo
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Health & Wellness Needle Expo (6th Floor Conference Room)
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Legislative Meetings
Brought to you by the California Acupuncture Coalition (CAC)
A federation of California Acupuncture Professional Associations: AKAMAC, CSOMA, AACMA
Community
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Ready to see for yourself? We invite CSOMA members to experience the Handcraft Health difference. Visit https://www.handcraft.health/ and join us in shaping the future of integrative medicine—one mindful, handcrafted choice at a time!
Los Angeles Fires – Resources for Students & Community
If you are in need of resources, or wish to provide services and/or donations, please visit Yo San’s updated resource page and Instagram feed for the latest information.
Please help those affected by Hurricane Helene:
Please join us in welcoming new Merchant Member, Equitable ! 🎉
We had the pleasure of meeting with James Frame over zoom recently, to discuss his interest in becoming more actively involved with CSOMA. A financial consultant with Equitable, James was exposed to acupuncture at a young age. He explained to us that, in his industry, many small business owners are forgotten when it comes to financial education – especially in the health and wellness field. He wants to change that! From James:
“I work with closely held businesses and focus on holistic financial planning. I can help with navigating the waters of retirement benefits, buy-sell agreements, executive benefits, insurance needs, and financial education. I look forward to meeting with you and showing how these complex and somewhat confusing topics can be simple and to your benefit.”
Connect with James on Linkedin and/or schedule a virtual meeting to start a conversation about your financial planning.
Please join us in welcoming new Merchant Member, EZ QME Continuing Education ! 🎉
EZ CONTINUING EDUCATION is a long time leader in QME Continuing Education. Let us help you “Pass the QME Exam – On Your First Try!” Our QME Certification Series includes:
16 Hour Report Writing Course for Acupuncturists – this course is a mandatory requirement of the DWC, and consists of:
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Mock Report Writing Exercise – this is self paced, and self study and consists of your preparing a basic report, using pre-assembled materials that we will send you. There is no timeline or deadline for completion of this exercise.
PLUS:
QME Test Prep Courses – Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Economy packages available for every type of student, and for every budget.
Join QME Continuing Education Provider Perry J. Carpenter DC QME for this Fall’s QME Test Prep Courses, and start seeing your first injured worker evaluations as soon as January 2025. Visit EZ CONTINUING EDUCATION.ORG for more information, or call 800-676-8127.
We are excited to welcome YINA as a NEW Merchant Member! 🎉
CSOMA members enjoy 15% off their first order with code CSOMA15.
“Founded by practitioners Dr. Ervina Wu and Angela Chau Gray, L.Ac., YINA is an award-winning clean beauty and wellness company inspired by Chinese medicine and 养生 – Yang Sheng rituals. Our mission is to improve your well-being through transformative products and education. YINA’s unique formulas are sustainably made with organic and potent high-grade TCM botanicals. Our multifaceted products cultivate optimal vitality to create a profound impact on your skin and wellbeing.”
We are delighted to announce Su Wen Herbs has joined CSOMA! 🎉
Founded by Giovanni Maciocia, his formulas bridge the rich heritage of Chinese herbal medicine and the practical realities of Western clinical practice:
- The Three Treasures®: thoughtfully adapted to address patterns commonly seen in Western patients. These time-tested remedies resonate with modern clinical needs.
- Women’s Treasure®: Giovanni added a special emphasis on addressing women’s unique health concerns, making these products invaluable for practitioners and their female patients.
- Little Treasures®: Designed for children, these formulae tackle common childhood complaints providing gentle yet effective solutions for young patients, supporting their vitality
+ Drop shipping available!
We are thrilled to welcome Spring Wind Herbs as a NEW Merchant Member! 🎉
“Our purpose is to supply the Chinese herbal community with clean, high-quality Premium and Organic bulk herbs and herbal products that do not compromise on our standards and, most importantly, to provide transparency as we do so. This involves working with growers and manufacturers in Asia and the US to continuously improve the quality and purity of herbs and herbal products available to the practitioner community and to provide transparency in all aspects of our business. We plan to continually expand the selection of pesticide-free, organically grown, and certified organic herbs and herbal products we can offer to practitioners and their patients. Visit springwind.com to learn more.”
Welcome NEW Members, and THANK YOU for supporting CSOMA! 🎉
Dr. Veronica Swords, Alicia Masiulis, Casey Schartner, George Samuel, Jennifer Drechsler, LAC, Dr. Heather Noemi, DACM, L.Ac, Dr. Caroline James, PhD, DACM, LAc, Jayne Chen, Daniel Martin, LAc, Stefanie Fletcher, Kevin Cates, na luo, Gaylian Hein, Dr. Gabby Pavelko, LAc, DACM, Emma Browning L.Ac. FABORM, Melanie Worthy, Bamboo Ilana, Dr. Rufus Fuller L.Ac DAOM, Erica W Chu, Cheyanne E. Cancino, Kristin Price. LAc., Dr. Kristina Yotive, Dr. Jeannie Dairo, Ke Cao, Lauren A. Sugarman, L.Ac., Margaret Zhou
And to our renewing CSOMA members, THANK YOU for your continued support!
Want to post an office rental, job opportunity, meetup or other announcement here and on our 6k+ newsletter? You can do that right here.
Events & CEUs
March 15-16
4 incredible speakers! 12 truly memorable CEUs! One-of-a-Kind Expo Experience! FREE lunch & hot beverages, raffle prizes & best of all… COMMUNITY! REGISTER TODAY
Date & Times: March 15 & 16 (Sat & Sun)
Speakers & Topics: (subject to change)
- Dr. Bruce Gustafson, LAc: Insomnia
- Dr. East Phillips, LAc: Practice Management
- Ann-Marie Trione, LAc: Malpractice Claims
- Matthew Bauer, LAc, Dipl. O.M.: Peripheral Neuropathy
CEUs: 12 (Pending CAB-Approval) (no NCCAOM)
Pricing & Registration: Pricing from $40-$360; Early Bird thru 2/28. See Registration & Info
Single Day Option? Yes!
Live Zoom? Sorry. In-Person Only!
Where: Yo San University (13315 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066)
We hope you’ll join us for this lively & informative 2-day event in Los Angeles March 15 & 16 at Yo San University!
Advocacy
Thanks to the CSOMA community for a big turnout and lots of active participation at the 2/11 Town Hall… one of our best ever!
In case you missed it, here are the highlights:
- CSOMA, in conjunction with the California Acupuncture Coalition, has a new 2025 contract with a lobbyist. We’re planning a Lobby Day in Sacramento for April – stay tuned for exciting ways to participate in spreading the word about the acupuncture profession with state legislators.
- We discussed the ASA Annual Conference: Cultivating our Future Together on April 26-27 in Arlington, VA, with the opportunity on April 28 to provide acupuncture for our public servants on Capitol Hill.
- We provided an overview of CSOMA’s 2025 strategic plan
- Review of changes/updates from the California Acupuncture Board, including new requirement for 4.0 CEU of Ethics training, scams targeting LAcs, postponement of license renewal fees for fire-affected practitioners in the LA area.
Attached is the presentation slideshow PDF: CSOMA Town Hall February 2025
Events & CEUs
Feb 11
CSOMA Town Hall – 1 FREE CEU (Members Only)
Feb 22 & 23
Learn microneedling and the AcuGlow™, a proprietary facial gua sha and cupping technique, February 22 and 23 in Berkeley.
- Includes hands-on training with the instructors and practice on your colleagues.
- Leave feeling confident to begin starting the services in your practice right away.
- CSOMA members get 10% with code CSOMA10.
- Enroll in both courses (Saturday and Sunday) and get an additional 10% off!
Registration & course info
Events & CEUs
Nov 16 & Dec 7
Esteemed TCM nephrology expert, Dr. Ping Li, will present a two-part lecture offering practitioners crucial instructions for safely practicing herbal medicine in daily practice.
CSOMA members SAVE 50%! REGISTER TODAY (Code CSOMA2024 automatically applied)
4 PDA/CEU credits (pending) will be available: California/Florida CEUs, and NCCAOM Safety PDAs
Part 1: November 16th from 5-7 pm PST / 8-10 pm EST
Part 2: December 7th from 5-7 pm PST / 8-10 pm EST
Events & CEUs
Oct 26-27
Integrative Facial Treatments for Acupuncturists are coming to the Bay Area! Learn microneedling and the AcuGlow™, a proprietary facial gua sha and cupping technique, in person with Tori & Marla from TOMA Essential Skin Therapy October 26 and 27 in Oakland and February 22 and 23 in Berkeley. Instruction includes hands-on training with the instructors and practice on your colleagues and leave feeling confident to begin starting the services in your practice right away. CSOMA members get 10% with code CSOMA10. Enroll in both courses (Saturday and Sunday) and get and additional 10% off! Learn more here: https://professional.tomaskintherapies.com/collections/professional-courses
Advocacy
CSOMA sent the following letter in support of HR 6287, “No Fees for EFTs Act.”
Dear Representatives Murphy, Griffith, Miller-Meeks, Kilmer, Bera, and Schrier:
On behalf of the members and students of the California State Oriental Medical Association (CSOMA), I am writing in support of H.R. 6487, the “No Fees for EFTs Act,” which would prohibit health plans and vendors from charging physicians unnecessary fees for electronic fund transfer (EFT) payment transactions. CSOMA agrees with the American Medical Association (AMA) in believing that eliminating such fees is a vital step towards reducing administrative and financial burdens on acupuncturists, ensuring that they can focus more on patient care rather than navigating unnecessary financial complexities.
The necessity for this bipartisan legislation is underscored by the challenges faced by medical practices due to the imposition of EFT fees. Despite the Affordable Care Act’s requirement for health plans to offer standardized electronic payments, some insurers or their vendors impose fees ranging from two percent to five percent of the claim payment. These predatory fees are often levied without explicit agreement from practices, placing an undue financial strain on them. According to the Medical Group Management Association, nearly 60 percent of practices have been forced to acquiesce to these fees, while a significant portion of their revenue is processed through EFTs. For small businesses, in which most acupuncturists work, this additional expense further reduces already thin profit margins, underscoring the urgent need for legislative action to protect physicians from such unwarranted expenses.
The imposition of fees for EFTs and related transactions has become an unnecessary and burdensome financial strain on physicians. These charges add to the operational costs of providing care, diverting resources that could be better used to enhance patient care. The administrative burden associated with managing these fees can also detract from the time and attention physicians dedicate to patient care. By removing these fees, H.R. 6487 will alleviate these unnecessary burdens, contributing to a more streamlined and efficient health care system.
We appreciate your leadership on this issue and look forward to working with you to advance this important legislation.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Tuftee, LAc
President of CSOMA
Events & CEUs
Sept 26-27
4 incredible speakers! 10 truly memorable CEUs! One-of-a-Kind Expo Experience w/NEW & Favorite Exhibitors! FREE lunch & hot beverages, t-shirt, raffle prizes & best of all… COMMUNITY! REGISTER TODAY
Date & Times: September 26 & 27 (Thurs 9-4:15 & Fri 8:45-3:30)
Speakers & Topics: (see schedule breakdown here)
- Dr. Jenny Nieters, LAc DACM: Posture and Acupuncture
- Susan Johnson, LAc: Migraines Are Easy!
- Andrew Ellis: Some Thoughts on the Treatment of Pain in Chinese Medicine
- Matthew Bauer, LAc, Dipl. O.M.: Five Point Nerve Regeneration Peripheral Neuropathy Protocol: A Simple Formula to High Success Rates Backed by Science
CEUs: 10 CAB-Approved (no NCCAOM)
Pricing & Registration: Pricing from $40-$360; Early Bird thru 9/12. See Registration & Info
Single Day Option? Yes!
Live Zoom? Sorry. In-Person Only!
Where: Oakland Endowment Center (2000 Franklin Street
Oakland, CA 94612)
We hope you’ll join us for our 3rd annual lively & informative 2-day event in Oakland September 26 & 27 at the Oakland Endowment Center!
