There are many hot trends in acupuncture right now, but the most interesting trends in the Western World have to do with the fact that this ancient oriental art has garnered interest as a trend in the first place. People in China and elsewhere have been practicing acupuncture for thousands of years. This ages-old method of inserting long, thin needles into the skin at precise points to alleviate pain and pressure is finally gaining acceptance in the United States and other western nations. With this widespread approval and popular culture recognition, acupuncture is a trend in and of itself.
One of the most interesting hot trends in acupuncture is the spread of state licensing for this practice. Many states have decided to require licensing for acupuncturists, which means that a patient can feel more confident in their choice of practitioner, and an acupuncturist can feel more legitimized about their profession and their field.
A big trend in the world of acupuncture is its acceptance in the mainstream medical community. Although this ancient practice is still not accepted by all mainstream medical practitioners, many members of the medical community have come around and have grown to accept it or even endorse it. The large number of consumers investing in acupuncture as an extension of their traditional western medical care has also done a great deal to help legitimize this field. In fact, 59 percent of physicians who responded to a 2006 survey by the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture said they believed acupuncture works as a form of complementary therapy. About 25 percent of all hospitals offer some sort of alternative medicine nowadays, so there is clearly a shift in thinking about all these healing arts.
An acupuncture doctoral degree, the Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, has even been introduced. The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is accrediting more and more schools that offer this and other acupuncture degree levels. With so many trends, it seems acupuncture is hotter than ever.