I write as a TCM and Acupuncture practitioner to tell you about an issue that is affecting people experiencing pain and trying to avoid using opioids for pain management. There is a practice called Point Injection Therapy (PIT), a form of Acupuncture that is remarkably effective in alleviating chronic pain. I was using this therapy to treat several of my clients, until just recently. What’s happened? The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (BC) has been asking the Ministry of Health to approve an updated scope of practice that includes PIT. With the college amalgamation process, compounded by COVID-19 – this approval has not been forthcoming – and we have been forced to stop performing PIT. What does this mean? I have used PIT for many years with my patients and now I have a long list of chronic pain sufferers I cannot treat. I have nowhere to send them as the local pain clinic has a wait list of 6 months. This leaves them with pain medication as the only option, which contributes to addiction issues. I’m asking you as my MLA to ask the Minister of Health and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions to address approving the CTCMA scope of practice update and allow TCM&A practitioners to use the tools at hand to prevent unnecessary suffering for patients with chronic pain. I hope I can count on you for support!

I write as a TCM and Acupuncture practitioner to bring forward an issue that is affecting people experiencing pain and trying to avoid using opioids. A practice I was using, called Point Injection Therapy (PIT), is a form of Acupuncture that is remarkably effective in alleviating pain. The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (BC) has been asking the Ministry of Health to approve an updated scope of practice that includes PIT. With the college amalgamation process, compounded by COVID-19 – this approval has not been forthcoming – and we have been forced to stop performing PIT. What does this mean? I have been using PIT with my patients for years and now I have a long list of chronic pain sufferers I cannot treat. I have nowhere to send them as the local pain clinic has a wait list of 6 months. This leaves them with drugs as the only option. My professional association estimates 200-300 practitioners were previously performing PIT, likely averaging 80 clients each, resulting in the potential of 24,000 British Columbians now without this option for relieving their pain! I see PIT therapy as a way to decrease the threat of addiction to opioid drugs and I am frustrated I can no longer help people in this situation. Please help us get our updated Scope of Practice approved now!! I thank you for your support!

As a practitioner of TCM & Acupuncture, I write with concerns regarding our outdated scope of practice. We have not had our scope modernized and updated for 20 years. We have advanced with the times, just like any other profession, but our scope has not kept up and does not reflect the services we currently offer. The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (BC) has been asking the Ministry of Health to approve an updated scope of practice that includes PIT. With the college amalgamation process, compounded by COVID-19 – this approval has not been forthcoming – and we have been forced to stop performing PIT. Our patients are suffering because we have had to stop providing care. This is impacting an estimated 24,000 patients in British Columbia. Many will be seeking drugs to manage their pain. Referral to a pain clinic isn’t even an option as the wait times can be up to 6 months. With the lack of options, there is high risk for opiate use and addiction. Please help us get our updated scope approved by the MOH so we can start treating our patients again with proven successful methods and reduce the risk these patients face from having to use opioid based pain medications. I thank you for your support!