The State of 21st Century Acupuncture in the U.S. (Pt. 6)

Editor’s Note: This is part 6 of “The State of 21^st Century Acupuncture in the U.S.,” based on the paper referenced below. Previous installments discussed the profession’s naming conventions; clinical utilization; insurance / reimbursement; research; and education. Click here to access all six parts.

As discussed in previous articles, the recently published white paper “The State of 21^st Century Acupuncture in the United States” represents a landmark effort to synthesize decades of disparate information into a unified, evidence-based reference that defines who we are as a profession, what we do and where we’re headed.

This installment highlights one of the most strategic sections of the paper for marketing the profession: the healthcare workforce data collected as a part of the 2020 U.S. Acupuncture Profession Planning Project, as summarized in Appendix 3, and its implications for growth, recognition, and integration of acupuncture into U.S. healthcare.

The Acupuncture Workforce

At its core, Appendix 3 aggregates demographic, practice data and professional satisfaction of licensed acupuncturists in the U.S., offering a clear snapshot of the profession’s current realities – a vital foundation for strategic marketing and advocacy. Key findings include:

Gender and age distribution: Approximately 70%-71% of practitioners are female, aligning with other independent workforce surveys. The average age of the active acupuncture workforce is in the early 50s, with practitioners typically having about 13 years of experience. Gender disparities were found in income, number of work hours, jobs in teaching, and readership of scientific journals.

Ethnicity and language: Over two-thirds of respondents identify as white, 15.5% as Asian, 3.1% as multiracial, 2.9% as LatinX / Hispanic, and 1.8% as Black / African American. Most speak English as their first language; other first languages include: Chinese / Mandarin, Korean, and Spanish.

Experience level: Most practitioners surveyed are mid-career, indicating a mature workforce with depth of expertise.

Practice settings: A majority of licensed acupuncturists (82.5%) work in private practices (solo or small groups), with a small but growing segment working in integrative or biomedical environments (e.g., hospital clinics, academic settings).

Licensure and board certification trends: The NCCAOM now certifies 1,200-1,500 acupuncturists annually and represents more than 20,000 active board-certified practitioners, though actual numbers may be higher due to state variations and multi-state licensure. This number represents approximately two-thirds of the licensed acupuncturists in the U.S., estimated at approximately 30,000.

Quality of life: 65.5% are “extremely satisfied” or “satisfied” with their quality of life, though those who work 20 or less hours are significantly less satisfied than other groups.

These data – the most comprehensive workforce snapshot available of the U.S. acupuncture profession – yield three core insights for practitioners, policymakers, payers, and educators:

1. Acupuncture is a robust, established profession with a growing evidence base and regulatory structure, yet it remains underrepresented in mainstream healthcare workforce tracking.

2. The demographic profile suggests stability but also flags a need for recruitment of younger practitioners to sustain long-term growth.

3. Practice setting diversity is expanding, which supports messaging that acupuncture is not solely a boutique self-employed service, but increasingly integrated into conventional care systems.

What Workforce Data Mean for the Future of Acupuncture

From a marketing and professional development angle, the workforce data in Appendix 3 offer compelling narratives that can elevate the profession if communicated strategically:

1. Positioning Acupuncture as a Mainstream Healthcare Profession: Despite acupuncture’s long history and increasing clinical utilization, public perception and institutional recognition lag behind other licensed healthcare professions. The workforce data provide objective evidence that acupuncture:

• Shares high levels of education and experience comparable to other licensed health professions
• Professionals read the peer reviewed scientific literature in the field
• Is practiced extensively across settings – including emerging roles in hospitals, veterans’ health systems and academic clinics
• Is organized with national certification standards and regulatory oversight, similar to physician assistants or nurse practitioners

Marketing this narrative to insurers, legislators and healthcare administrators can shift the perception of acupuncture from complementary/alternative to integrative and essential care – especially for pain, mental health and chronic conditions.

2. Recruitment and Career Pathway Messaging: The average mid-career demographic suggests that while the profession is experienced, the pipeline for future practitioners needs support. Workforce data can be used to:

• Create targeted recruitment campaigns designed for younger clinicians and students
• Highlight career sustainability by showcasing diverse roles beyond private practice — including research, integrative medicine and institutional employment
• Develop mentorship and leadership pathways that appeal to early-career acupuncturists

3. Advocating for Better Data and Workforce Tracking: The profession still lacks centralized workforce data akin to what other licensed professions enjoy (e.g., AMA or AAMC tracking for physicians). Appendix 3’s limitations highlight an opportunity: marketing acupuncture’s case for routine, nationally standardized workforce tracking – which would bolster insurance negotiations, educational planning and workforce policy.

Using the Paper to Further the Profession

“The State of 21^st-Century Acupuncture in the United States” is more than a reference document; it’s a toolkit for advancing acupuncture through evidence, clarity and strategic communication. Here’s how the profession should use it:

1. As a Reference for Acupuncturists: This paper was written to be used as a tool to educate and enhance the credibility of acupuncturists in the U.S. Take a moment to read the paper and review the definition of acupuncture. Take action:

• Update the definition of acupuncture on website and marketing materials.
• Quote interesting facts/data on your social media, website and marketing materials.
• Link the paper on your FAQ page or to a “What Is Acupuncture” description if you have one.
• Use the paper as a resource in lectures, community education talks, and discussions with other clinicians, professionals, patients, etc.

2. As a Reference for Policymakers and Regulators: The comprehensive nature of the paper gives legislators, state medical boards and insurance regulators a go-to source when evaluating acupuncture policy, reimbursement decisions and integrative care initiatives. Its clear articulation of training, safety and workforce parameters can directly inform scope-of-practice debates at the state level.

3. As a Resource for Insurer Education: Insurance coverage remains one of the biggest barriers to wider access. This paper provides insurance payors with:

• Evidence of broad clinical utility and safety
• Clear explanation of acupuncturist education and credentials, helping payors differentiate licensed practitioners from alternative providers
• Workforce data that quantify the profession’s maturity and readiness for broader inclusion in provider networks

4. As Foundation for Institutional Partnerships: Healthcare systems and medical education programs increasingly seek data to justify integrative initiatives. This paper enables acupuncturists to negotiate partnerships, secure pilot program funding, and demonstrate alignment with evidence-based medicine and workforce needs.

Shaping the Next Era

The workforce data summarized in Appendix 3 s more than just numbers; it is a strategic asset. In a healthcare landscape hungry for nonpharmacologic, cost-effective solutions for common conditions, acupuncture now stands on firm evidence and a seasoned professional base. The profession’s future hinges on how well this data is communicated, used to advocate for policy change, and deployed in real-world marketing tools that elevate acupuncture from complementary therapy to core integrative healthcare.

Let’s use this work not as a conclusion, but as a launchpad – informing recruitment, policy advocacy, insurer education, and institutional collaborations that will shape the next era of acupuncture in the United States.

Reference

1. Smith CL, Reddy B, Wolf CM, et al. The state of 21^st century acupuncture in the United States. J Pain Res, 2024;17:3329-3354. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S469491.