For purposes of this article:

(1) "Acupuncture" means a form of health care developed from traditional and modern oriental concepts for health care that employs oriental medical techniques, treatment, and adjunctive therapies for the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health and the prevention of disease. The practice of acupuncture does not include:

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 40-47-705

  • Board: means the State Board of Medical Examiners for South Carolina. See South Carolina Code 40-47-20
  • Certification: means approval by an established body, other than the board, but recognized by the board, that recognizes the unique, minimal requirements of specialized areas of practice. See South Carolina Code 40-47-20
  • Osteopathic medicine: means a complete school of medicine and surgery utilizing all methods of diagnosis and treatment in health and disease and placing special emphasis on the interrelationship of the musculo-skeletal system to all other body systems. See South Carolina Code 40-47-20

(a) osteopathic medicine and osteopathic manipulative treatment;

(b) "chiropractic" or "chiropractic practice" as defined in § 40-9-10; or

(c) "physical therapy" as defined in § 40-45-20 or therapies allowed as part of the practice of physical therapy.

(2) "Auricular (ear) detoxification therapy" means the insertion of disposable sterile acupuncture needles into the five auricular acupuncture points stipulated by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association protocol for the sole purpose of treatment of chemical dependency, detoxification, and substance abuse.

(3) "Board" means the State Board of Medical Examiners.

(4) "Committee" means the Acupuncture Advisory Committee as established by this article as an advisory committee responsible to the board.

(5) "NADA" means the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association.

(6) "NCAAOM" means the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

(7) "ACAOM" means Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

(8) "Auricular therapy" means the insertion of disposable needles into and limited only to the ear, to treat a limited number of conditions.