History
EARLY DAYS OF JAAC Even though a small number of practitioners of acupuncture used to treat people in Japan Town and China Town in San Francisco and Los Angeles since before the war, most of the general public in California did not know about acupuncture in 1970. When I came to Los Angeles in 1970, as far as I remember, at least 5 Japanese, Mr. Yamane, Mr. Nakatani, Mr. Oshita, Mr. Nagashima, and Mr. Wakuchi were practicing acupuncture in Downtown. Of course, they were not licensed yet. Therefore, some practitioners were arrested by the police for practicing medicine without licenses. If my memory is wrong, please correct me.
After President Nixon’s visit to China in 1971, acupuncture anesthesia and acupuncture treatment became hot topics in this country. In 1975, Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation allowing certification of acupuncturists. This was the first legalization of acupuncture treatment in the United States. Consequently the Acupuncture Board of California was founded. Ted Hayashida from Sacramento, Master Hatoyama from San Francisco, and Miki Shima from Corte Madera were the first Japanese board members. Soon after, the acupuncture schools were formed.
In June 1979 about 10 Japanese acupuncturists first gathered to establish JAAC. At that time Chinese and Caucasian practitioners had formed political groups and were actively campaigning. For instance, in 1978 they were able to delete a restriction clause in the law which limited the acupuncturist to treat only patients referred by a medical doctor. As soon as JAAC was established it joined in with this movement to improve the social status of the profession of acupuncture. To compare with other ethnic populations such as Chinese and Korean, Japanese acupuncturists are in the minority. Still, JAAC has been politically active from its beginning.
JAAC’s Central Aims:
Educate public about Japanese acupuncture.
Study together to improve our status.
Promotion of friendship.
In 1979, acupuncture treatment was admitted to be a part of MediCal.
In 1980, the acupuncturist was admitted to be the primary caregiver under California law. That gave the acupuncturist authority to diagnose, prescribe and treat as the primary medical practitioner.
In 1981, the law obligated the dentist and the podiatrist to study acupuncture if they want to treat with acupuncture.
In 1984, the law obligated acupuncturist to have 30 hours of Continuing Education Units every two years.
In 1985, the law obligated the insurance companies to cover acupuncture treatment.
In 1987, the Workers’ Compensation system categorized the acupuncturist as a “physician.”
In 1994, the California Acupuncture Board became authorized to examine malpractice cases involving acupuncturists.
In 1995, the Medical and Pharmaceutical Bureau of the FDA admitted the acupuncture needle as a medical tool.
Ota, Frank Y.