Mississippi Oriental Medicine Association
“Dedicated to Enacting Fair and Safe Acupuncture Laws in Mississippi”
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2012-2013 Officers President - Jerusha De Groote Stephens, MSOM, LAc Vice President – Dennis Holmes, MSOM, LAc Secretary – Debbie Moore DC, LAc Treasurer – Clare Mallory, LAc
Contact us Jerusha De Groote Stephens, MSOM 601.850.0970 |
Mission
The Mississippi Oriental Medicine Association, or MOMA, was formed in April of 2007 as a non-profit, professional organization of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine practitioners, students, and friends interested in traditional and modern Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine throughout the State of Mississippi. MOMA’s original mission statement, “Dedicated to enacting fair and safe acupuncture laws in Mississippi,” rang true in the spring of 2009 when the Mississippi Legislature passed, and Governor Haley Barbour signed into law HB 458, The Acupuncture Practice Act. MOMA is proud for this tremendous leap and we will now continue to encourage and foster the healing art known as acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in our fair state.
As this professional organization grows, so does our focus. Now is the time for MOMA to promote and encourage public information and education about the practice of acupuncture and provide all the benefits possible to the membership of the organization. And, in all ways, serve and promote the public welfare.
Read more about MOMA’s History here:
ACUPUNCTURISTS
Membership is open to all acupuncturists holding a current license/certification issued by the Mississippi State Board of Medical Examiners (MSBML) as well as students currently enrolled in a masters level acupuncture program. If you are a licensed acupuncturist and do not belong to MOMA, please consider joining now by completing on the membership application.
Benefits of Membership
· MOMA provides a unified voice during legislative sessions for all MOMA members.
· Provides opportunities for continuing education at a discount rate for MOMA members.
· Training for all members on new rules and laws that affect the practice of acupuncture.
· Listing on MOMA’s website.
NON-ACUPUNCTURISTS
Become a friend of MOMA today. We need patients and other supporters of Acupuncture to be involved as we increase access to Oriental Medicine in Mississippi. Join and stay up to date on important news and events. You can also send a one-time donation. Please complete the Membership Application.
Acupuncture Day at the Capitol
March 5, 2013 8am-3pm
State Capitol (Rotunda)
Jackson, MS 39201
Mississippi Council of Advisors in Acupuncture
Planned July 2013
Friday, July 27, 2012 (Meeting Minutes)
August 12, 2011 (Inaugural Meeting Minutes)
Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure
Jackson, MS
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Jerusha DeGroote Stephens, MSOM Mon Ami Spa & Laser Center |
Dennis W. Holmes MSOM, LAc AcuCare Acupuncture Clinic http://www.mississippiacupuncture.com |
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Dr. Debbie Moore DC, LAc Moore Chiropractic Clinic 6682 Hwy 11 N Ste 103 Carriere, MS 39426 Phone: 601-749-4939 Fax: 601-749-3805 Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm and Saturday 8am-noon
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Cristian G. Aron, MSOM, L.Ac Mississippi Coast Acupuncture South Mississippi Urgent Care 3661 Sangani Blvd, Suite E Diberville, MS 39540 Phone: 228 354-0022 Open Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 6pm |
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Clare Mallory LAc, MAc, Dipl Ac North Mississippi Acupuncture 413 Fourth Avenue South #17 Columbus, MS 39701 Phone: 662-597-1003 Monday-Friday 10am-6pm |
Sarita Elizabeth Cox ND, LAc 1) 817 21st Street Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 Phone: 205-310-7197 2) Maitri Wellness 4903 27th Place Meridian, MS 39305 |
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Acupuncture Education and Mississippi Licensure Information
Want to become a licensed acupuncturist in Mississippi?
Step 1 - Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure http://www.msbml.state.ms.us/acupunctureforms.htm
Step 2 - Find the Rules and Regulations for the profession in Mississippi here: http://www.msbml.state.ms.us/regulations/sep2010/September2010.pdf
(Acupuncture is Chapter 17, page 49 of PDF)
Most people do not know that becoming an acupuncturist requires over 3,000 hours of didactic course work and clinical training. One must enter a graduate program at an institution accredited by the United States Department of Education. After acceptance into the Master of Science in Oriental Medicine program, a student has four years of study and the following requirements must be met in order to graduate:
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Acupuncture & Techniques |
528 hours |
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Chinese Herbal Training |
636 hours |
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Clinical Training |
1,008 hours |
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Biomedical Science |
582 hours |
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Integral Studies: Oriental Medical Theories, Case Management, Practice Management, Communications, Mind-Body, Asian Bodywork & Ethics |
456 hours |
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Total |
3,210 hours |
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Certification in Clean Needle Technique and CPR |
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The full scope of Traditional Chinese medicine cannot be utilized without the adjunctive modalities, like herbal medicine, moxibustion and cupping that require the intensive study gained when a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine is awarded. The National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) only certifies practitioners who have passed their national board exam, as well completed the above requirements. An NCCAOM certified practitioner will have thousands of hours of course work dedicated to the entirety of Traditional Chinese medicine conjoined with the biomedical knowledge needed to refer patients to physicians in times of need.
Who is on the Acupuncture Council and how do I contact them?
The Mississippi Council of Advisors in Acupuncture consists of members of the Mississippi Oriental Medicine Association (MOMA).
Chair-Debbie Moore DC, LAc
Vice Chair – J. Blake Mitchell MD
Secretary/Treasurer – Jerusha D. Stephens, LAc (MOMA President)
You can Contact the council through the MOMA president or Contact Dr. Debbie Moore (the current Chair) at Moore Chiropractic Clinic 601-749-4939 or by email at PicayuneMCC@aol.com. A third option to contact the Council is through the Mississippi Board of Medical Liscensure, because the Council is an extension of the Medical Board.
Who Can Practice Acupuncture?
Only Licensed Acupuncturists and certain Medical Doctors (See Below)
- Licensed Acupuncturists: Licensed acupuncturists have completed three to four years of study and are board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Their course of study includes not only Oriental Medicine/Acupuncture but also Western (conventional) Medicine. As part of the prerequisites to sitting for their national board exams, acupuncturists must have a minimum of 3000 clinical hours completed in addition to their three- to four-year master's degree in acupuncture. Licensed acupuncturists here in MS are licensed and governed by the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure, the same board that licenses medical doctors.
- Medical Doctors: Medical doctors in Mississippi can practice medical acupuncture upon completion of a 200-hour course of study. Medical acupuncture is more Western in its approach than the traditional acupuncture that is practiced by a licensed acupuncturist. In other words, medical acupuncture bases its point selection more on Western anatomical and physiological training than on the Eastern philosophy upon which traditional acupuncture is based. Medical Acupuncturists, being medical doctors, are also governed by the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure.
- Physical Therapists and Dry Needling (not acupuncture): Physical therapists in MS can practice a technique known as dry needling upon completion of a 50-hour course of study. Dry needling is based on Western muscular and trigger point patterns. It can be very effective for musculoskeletal conditions, but it is important to note that it is not acupuncture. Furthermore, it is important to note that physical therapists in MS are not required to complete any clinical training in dry needling prior to certification; if you pursue dry needling with a physical therapist, therefore, make sure they have some experience behind them. Physical therapists are not governed by the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure.
- Chiropractors: Chiropractic Law prohibits the practice of acupuncture unless the Chiropractor is dually licensed.
- The Mississippi Council of Advisors in Acupuncture's Official Position Paper can be found Here.
View Mississippi's Acupuncture Bill Here.
View States That Regulate and License the Practice of Acupuncture
Chronology of First Acupuncture Laws
Governor Haley Barbour signs HB 458 into LAW! View the current bill HERE
Find your Mississippi State Legislators here. Votesmart.org
Acupuncture Day at the Capitol 2009
Find out more about acupuncture.
National Institute of Health's acupuncture information.