Point Injection Legalities

Point injection therapy is currently part of the scope of practice for licensed acupuncturists in the following states:

Florida

There is no black and white list of approved substances for acupoint injection therapy in Florida. The August 2007 Edition of Florida Statute 457, and Rule Chapter 64B1 states:

Effective March 1, 2002, adjunctive therapies shall include acupoint injection therapy which shall mean the injection of herbs, homeopathics, and other nutritional supplements in the form of sterile substances into acupuncture points by means of hypodermic needles but not intravenous therapy to promote, maintain, and restore health; for pain management and palliative care; for acupuncture anesthesia; and to prevent disease. [Source (pdf)]

Arkansas

The Arkansas State Board of Acupuncture and Related Techniques rules and regulations states:

B. SCOPE OF PRACTICE: The practice of oriental medicine in Arkansas is a distinct system of primary health care with the goal of prevention, cure, or correction of any illness, injury pain or other physical or mental condition by controlling and regulating the flow and balance of energy and functioning of the person to restore and maintain health. Oriental medicine includes all traditional and modern diagnostic, prescriptive and therapeutic methods utilized by practitioners of acupuncture and oriental medicine world wide. The scope of practice of Doctors of Oriental Medicine shall include but is not limited to:

4. The procedures of acupuncture, injection therapy and other related procedures. [Source]

South Carolina

This is unconfirmed from the information on the South Carolina website.

Colorado

The state of Colorado appears to have the best stated policy in regards to point injection therapy:

Permissible substances for injection include all vitamins, minerals, homeopathics and herbals specifically manufactured for non-intravenous injection such as saline, glucose, Lidocaine, Procaine, oriental herbs, Vitamin B-12, Traumeel, Sarapin, and similar homeopathic-type substances. The Director notes that there is always the risk of allergic reaction when using injection substances. As such, the Director finds that the use of Epinephrine and oxygen are necessary for patient care and safety anytime Colorado acupuncturists administer injections. [Source (pdf)]

Also known in Washington as "aquapuncture". Does that mean other injectable products cannot be used? This is unknown at this point. We quote from the Revised Code of Washington (their permanent laws):

"Acupuncture" includes the following techniques: (j) Point injection therapy (aquapuncture); [Source]

New Mexico

Following additional continuing education, NM DOMs can employ point injection therapies as described below:

SCOPE OF PRACTICE: D. the surgical procedures of acupuncture and other related procedures, as well as injection therapy; injection therapy may only be performed by a doctor of oriental medicine who is certified for the extended (Rx1) or expanded (Rx2) prescriptive authority...; [Source]

Download the New Mexico approved list of injectables. (pdf)