"Injured workers are entitled to use Acupuncture treatment for work-related injuries. Based on known and established anatomical, physiological, and medical principles, Acupuncture (Needling Therapy) has an evidence base that is consistent with the historic foundations and present understanding of Chinese/oriental medicine,” states Ted Priebe, one of the 17 appointed members of the Medical Evidence Evaluation Advisory Committee (§ 9792.23).

Ted Priebe, O.M.D. (Doctor of Oriental Medicine), an appointed member in 2005 and 2007 of the California Workers’ Compensation, Medical Evidence Evaluation Advisory Committee, and Executive Director of the National Oriental Medicine Accreditation Agency (NOMAA.org), has been working on the development of Administrative Rules for Workers' Compensation. The newly approved Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MITUS) for Acupuncture is now officially incorporated into the Workers’ Comp System. The new Workers' Compensation laws that went into effect in 2004 require adoption of a “medical treatment utilization schedule” that is based upon “evidence-based, peer-reviewed, and nationally recognized standards of practice.”

Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture: Evidence-Based Treatment Guidelines© CAOMA, 2004 (Council of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Associations), accepted by the National Guidelines Clearing House, provide guidance for acupuncture, as experts concur that functional improvement should be measurable within 6-8 sessions for most acute neuromusculoskeletal injuries of a work-related nature. Allowance of additional courses of treatment may be authorized when evidence of continued functional improvement can be documented.

The California Office of Administrative Law (i) formally approved a set of medical treatment guidelines
(§ 9792.20. Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule) for California’s Workers' Compensation system, that direct acupuncturists and a separate panel assigned to review treatments beyond those covered by the “American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM)” Guidelines, 2nd Edition (2004).

“The purpose of the Committee, in order to provide recommendations to the Medical Director on matters concerning the medical treatment utilization schedule, is to critically review the evidence and satisfy “public interest law” providing not only safe but effective treatment. This can only be addressed by establishing criteria based on evidence that identifies criteria and methodology that is measurable and repeatable.”

The Acupuncture Medical Treatment Guidelines (§ 9792.21. (2)) supersedes the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) Guidelines, 2nd Edition (2004) relating to acupuncture (except for shoulder complaints) and addresses those acupuncture treatments that were not discussed in the ACOEM Practice Guidelines.

“The ancient Chinese gave us the historic evidence of blood circulation, lymphatic system, nervous system involvement, and function of the internal organs; all practitioners, including oriental medicine practitioners, need to have a common understanding of biomedicine and diagnostic techniques to ensure that patients receive the best consultations, treatments, and referrals for their medical condition.”

FOOTNOTE
(i) The Office of Administrative Law (OAL) ensures that agency regulations are clear, necessary, legally valid, and available to the public. OAL is responsible for reviewing administrative regulations proposed by over 200 state agencies for compliance with the standards set forth in California's Administrative Procedure Act (APA), for transmitting these regulations to the Secretary of State and for publishing regulations in the California Code of Regulations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ted Priebe, L.Ac., O.M.D.

A visionary in our profession, Dr. Ted Priebe has been instrumental in the inclusion of acupuncture as an approved therapy for California’s Workers' Compensation. Practicing acupuncture in California since 1983, Dr. Priebe specializes in the study and treatment of pain in neuromuscular injury and disease, especially Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/RSD. He is part of the interdisciplinary Pain and Rehabilitation Medical Group, Accredited Pain Program in Torrance, California.

Since 1993, Dr. Priebe has served in the Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Workers' Compensation for the State of California: at various times on the Scope of Practice Subcommittee, Utilization Review Committee, and Acupuncture Research Committee. As a leading expert, he currently sits on the Medical Evidence Advisory Committee.

To learn more about treating Workers' Compensation patients, Dr. Priebe is speaking on the following topic for Lotus Institute.

Why the Lotus Seminars?

Acupuncture is Back in Workers' Compensation

By Ted Priebe, L.Ac., O.M.D.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ted Priebe, L.Ac., O.M.D.

CLASS BY THE AUTHOR