The Revolution of 1911 in China ended the Qing Dynasty and led to the People's Republic of China. The government quickly banned TCM in favor of Western medicine; yet, the traditional medicine continued to thrive in rural communities.
During the Long March in 1934 to 1935, separated from Western medicine, the Chinese soldiers became heavily dependent on TCM. Mao Zedang, impressed with the healing effects, lifted the ban, allowed TCM to be integrated into the hospitals and began vast research studies throughout the 1940's and 1950's.
 |
| Yellow Emperor |
1671 -- Jesuit priest, PP Harvielle, introduces acupuncture to Europe, via France.
1700's -- Japanese acupuncture needles with metal (and later, plastic) guide tubes are developed. The guide tubes aids with the gentle insertion and use of the finer Japanese needles.
1758 -- Lorenz Heister, M.D., German surgeon and botanist, is the first surgeon to recommend acupuncture in the published medical article, "Chiaraigeies".
1820 -- France begins teaching acupuncture at prominent hospitals in La Pities.
1826 -- Great grandson of Benjamin Franklin, Franklin Bache, M.D. discusses the benefits of acupuncture in treating the penal system in Philadelphia, "Case Illustrative of Remial Effects of Acupuncture".
1916 -- William Osler, B.T., M.D. writes Principle and Practice of Medicine and recommends acupuncture for treating lumbago.
1934 -- Electro-Acupuncture is developed in China. Acupuncture needles are attached to an electrical device which emit pulsating stimulation to acupoints.
 |
| Auricular Therapy |
1971 -- James Reston, New York Times reporter develops appendicitis in China covering President Nixon's acclaimed visit. Chinese surgeons recommend acupuncture during surgery as anesthesia and later, as a post-operation treatment. Reston returns home and Americans are re-introduced to medical acupuncture.
1971 -- Gary Diamond, M.D. publishes "Acupuncture, Anesthesia, Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine" in JAMA.
 |
| Koryo Hand Therapy |
1973 -- New York Society of Acupuncture for Physicians and Dentist is established.
1974 -- Miriam Lee, a Chinese immigrant, nurse-mid-wife and trained acupuncturist, is arrested for practicing illegally. Within days, Governor Ronald Regan of California approves acupuncture as legally experimental procedures. Lee becomes one of the first licensed acupuncturists, commits her life to teaching and practicing and in 1992, publishes "Insights of a Senior Acupuncturist".
1975 -- Acupuncture is legalized in many American states.
1980 -- American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) is founded by acupuncture-pioneer, Miriam Lee.
1982 -- Accreditation of Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) is established by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM). The non-profit organization is recognized by the US Department of Education.
1985 -- The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) is established at the Lincoln Hospital in South Bronx, New York, NADA uses the basic 5-Ear-Point method to treat substance abuse.
1987 -- The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture is the first national organization dedicated to the advancement of acupuncture in America by physicians and surgeons.
1987 -- The World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies is established.
 |
| Golden Flower Chinese Herbs (Pills) |
1990 -- Golden Flower Chinese Herbs, owned by Scott and Lorena Monda, distributes and produces herbal formulas.
1994 -- US Congress passes the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act (DSHA). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines "dietary supplement" as a product containing dietary ingredient(s), taken orally, to supplement the diet. Dietary supplements includes the following: vitamins, minerals, herbs and other botanical.
1994 -- Sponsored by the NIH, prominent acupuncturists report the effects of acupuncture on 5 conditions: Chronic pain; vomiting; alcohol & drug addition; asthma and the sequela of stroke.
1994 -- Licensed acupuncturists present a petition asking the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to reconsider the healthcare status of acupuncture needles from 'Investigated Device' to 'Approved Medical Device'.
1995 - Col. Richard Niemtzow, an Air Force physician, offers acupuncture, as an alternative treatment to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), under the module of "Battlefield Acupuncture" at the McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. The treatment is highly recommended for active-soldiers who can not afford to experience the common side-effects associated with pharmaceutical drugs. As of 2009, 50 physicians, trained in Battlefield Acupuncture, administer the treatments to retiree, active-soldiers and military families with PTSD.
1996 -- After assessing and analyzing the reported research in 1994, the FDA approves acupuncture needles as 'Approved Medical Device'. It is the first time the FDA examines and approves a non-Western medical device.
1998 - The American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA) is established as a non-profit organization to provide acupuncture for animals.
2001 -- Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) receives $250,000 from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) to study endometriosis.
2005 -- OCOM and University of Maryland receive $1.1M from NCCAM to study the effects of acupuncture on vitro-fertilization.
 |
| Acupuncture Without Borders in Haiti |
2007 -- Community Acupuncture Network (CAN) is formed by OCOM graduates. The non-profit promotes community-style acupuncture based on a sliding-scale rate, making treatments accessible and affordable.
2009 -- Compound Danshen Dripping Pill, a Chinese herbal treatment for angina and coronary heart disease, successfully passes the FDA Phase II Clinical Trial. Phase III is scheduled to be completed by 2013, in which Compound Danshen Dripping Pill will be the first Chinese medicine to become a prescription drug in the United States.
2011 -- Yours truly has been accepted to study at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine as a full-time graduate student. Oh, and a receipient of the 2011 Board of Trustees Scholarship award.
