Scope Creep and Our Stance on External TCM Training Courses
Recently, it was brought to our attention that there is a course being offered to Chiropractors, Physiotherapists and Massage Therapists by a company called Integrated Seminar Series. The course seems to offer specific techniques for MSK conditions. However, the course outline also includes “– A brief history of the origin and theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – All 361 acupuncture points across the 14 meridians and the 48 extraordinary points”.
As members of the TCM&A profession, we are aware that other RHP’s are authorized to use acupuncture techniques within their scope of practice, however, the inclusion of TCM knowledge and knowledge of all acupuncture points is clearly outside the scope of any RHP save members of the CTCMPAO.
TCMO believes that it falls within the mandate of our regulatory College to protect the public from practitioners in other RHPs who improperly use courses such as this to improperly treat conditions outside their scope.
We’re hopeful that the College will take action on this, and that it may form a part of a public education campaign.
In the meantime, TCMO will continue to monitor this situation closely. Rest assured, we remain fiercely committed to advocating for the integrity of our profession and ensuring that the depth of Traditional Chinese Medicine is respected and protected in Ontario.