Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). The national agency, recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDoED), that accredits master’s-level programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, ensuring that such programs meet the standards for education set by Congress.
acupuncture. A system of medicine that involves inserting fine metal needles into specific anatomic locations to treat a variety of illnesses and conditions. Derived from the Latin acus (needle) and puncture.
American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA). A society, founded in 1987, of medical doctors (MDs) and osteopaths (DOs) who have undergone training in acupuncture in order to incorporate this modality into conventional health care.
American Board of Medical Acupuncture (ABMA). An independent entity within the AAMA, established in 2000, to conduct examinations of candidates seeking certification in medical acupuncture in order to maintain high standards for the profession.
American Medical Association (AMA). A professional association of medical doctors (MDs) and osteopaths (DOs) founded in 1847. The stated mission of the AMA is to “promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.”
Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica). An encyclopedic medical volume, written in the sixteenth century CE by Li Shi-Zhen, a prominent physician in the Ming dynasty, detailing the herbs and other substances used in Chinese medicine.
Buddhism. A philosophical practice that developed out of the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama in the fifth century BCE and spread from northeastern India through Asia and globally. Gautama became known as Buddha and taught that life is full of suffering, but suffering could be overcome by developing wisdom, integrity, and awareness.
chromosomes. The coiled structures within the nucleus of most cells that contain the genetic information required for life.
Confucianism. The teachings of Confucius, which emphasize correct behavior of the institutions and individuals within society, as well as the cultivation of knowledge and good judgment.
Confucius. A Chinese philosopher, political figure, and educator who lived during the fifth and sixth centuries BCE; his teachings are known as Confucianism.
Dao De Ching. A Chinese text regarding the philosophy of Daoism, attributed to Laozi (see Daoism), which may actually be a compilation of works by later authors.
Daoism. Also known as Taoism. The doctrine of living in harmony with the natural order of the universe, ascribed to the teachings of Laozi, a Chinese philosopher who lived during the sixth century BCE.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). The long double-stranded and twisted chain of organic molecules that constitutes chromosomes. The sequence of the organic molecules acts as a blueprint for the body to create other necessary substances such as proteins and enzymes.
Eastern medicine. A system of medicine that arose in Asia that makes use of herbal remedies, acupuncture, meditation, qigong, and tai chi to improve health. Also known as East Asian medicine or Oriental medicine.
Five Phases. The cosmological scheme that describes interactions among natural phenomena, such as the changing of the seasons, developed in ancient China millennia ago and used in astrology, military strategy, and medicine. Also referred to as the Five Elements (see Wu Xing).
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). An agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services created to ensure that food, drugs, and medical devices are safe and effective. Also, ensures that cosmetic and dietary supplements are safe and labeled properly, and regulates tobacco products.
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). An imaging technique that employs magnetic and radio waves, used to determine which areas of the brain are most active at the time of the study.
gene. A sequence of DNA that codes for a molecule that has a specific function within a living organism; see DNA.
Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine). An ancient Chinese medical text written approximately during the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE).
Hua Tuo. Famed second-century CE Chinese physician and surgeon who also developed longevity exercises called Five Animal Qigong.
integrative medicine. A branch of conventional Western medicine that is patient-centered and incorporates techniques from other medical systems for which there is good evidence of safety and efficacy.
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). A peer-reviewed medical journal published by the AMA containing research papers, reviews, and editorials that relate to the field of medicine.
Laozi. A Chinese philosopher who lived during the sixth century BCE and developed the doctrine of living in harmony with the natural order of the universe known as Daoism or Taoism.
licensed acupuncturist (LAc). Designation given to a person who has received a license to practice acupuncture from a state medical or professional licensing board. To qualify, that person must have completed a specific amount of training and passed certifying examinations in acupuncture and Eastern medicine.
mind-body medicine. A group of therapeutic practices that engage the mind’s capacity to influence bodily functions; examples of these techniques include meditation, relaxation, biofeedback, and hypnosis.
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). A nonprofit organization established in 1982 to certify competency of acupuncturists, herbologists, and bodyworkers of Eastern medical disciplines in the United States. The NCCAOM is also involved with recertification, examination development, and continuing education.
neuroplasticity. The ability of the brain to form new connections and pathways in response to learning or training; also known as brain plasticity.
placebo. A substance or intervention that has no active ingredient or expected benefit.
placebo effect. A positive, unexpected benefit seen following administration of a placebo, attributed to the recipient’s expectation of benefit, considered a mind-body interaction.
post-heaven qi. Eastern medicine term for energy (qi) extracted by the body from food and air.
pre-heaven qi. Eastern medicine term for energy (qi) that is inherited from our parents, analogous to genetic constitution in Western medicine.
preventive medicine. A medical specialty that focuses on the prevention of disease, not only in the individual patient but also in the community and population at large. A combination of clinical medicine and public health.
PubMed. A free search engine that can be used to find abstracts and articles on life sciences and biomedical subjects, maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the US National Library of Medicine.
qi. Eastern medicine term for the intelligent life force that flows through the body, often described in Western terms as “energy.”
qigong. Mental, physical, and breathing exercises that cultivate qi. Related to tai chi (see tai chi).
Silk Road. Ancient trading route between Asia and Europe that traversed Korea, China, India, Persia, and Europe.
Sun Si-Miao. Prolific seventh-century CE Chinese physician and herbalist who wrote two thirty-volume works on the practice of medicine. He was renowned for integrating Daoism with Buddhism and Confucianism and emphasized ethical behavior for physicians.
tai chi. A Chinese martial art form, but also a series of slow, meditative movements that, when performed regularly, can improve health and well-being. Related to qigong (see qigong).
telomerase. An enzyme that adds specific molecules to the ends of telomeres to preserve their length (see telomere).
telomere. The noncoding DNA sequences on the ends of chromosomes that protect the chromosomes and protect the loss of genetic information during DNA transcription.
tui na. A method of Chinese bodywork or massage.
World Health Organization (WHO). An agency of the United Nations, established in 1948, intended to improve international public health.
Wu Xing. Known in English as the Five Phases or Five Elements. The cosmological scheme that describes interactions among natural phenomena, such as the changing of the seasons, developed in ancient China millennia ago and used in astrology, military strategy, and medicine.
yin-yang theory. The theory that states that all phenomena are composed of two opposite conditions or characteristics. These opposites cannot be separated; together, they represent the unified whole.