By Acupuncture Media Works
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Day is observed on October 24 to bring awareness to acupuncture and Eastern medicine.
Acupuncture has become increasingly popular with one in ten adults having received acupuncture at least once, according to a survey done by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.
The official commemoration for AHM Day began in 2002 and has been promoted by many organizations in the U.S. including the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. AHM Day is also recognized in other countries such as Canada, Mexico and Pakistan.
Annually on October 24, Council member colleges come together through activities to promote awareness and the benefits of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Free acupuncture treatments at college clinics are typically offered on this day as well as free talks, health fairs and more.
The Council includes 49 accredited AM colleges across the United States and welcomes other organizations to join in efforts as well.
All Chinese medicine including acupuncture is based on the idea of the flow of Qi throughout the body. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that when we are ill, there could be a blockage or stagnation in our body’s natural energy flow, which affects the organ systems. Acupuncture is used to correct this imbalance through the specific placement of needles on the body.