In Denmark there are four professional organizations offering education in acupuncture:

• Danish medical society for acupuncture (1974), which consists of approximately 850 medical doctors, dentists and veterinarians.
• Danish Society for evidence-based acupuncture (2005), which also consists of an unknown number of medical doctors, dentists and veterinarians.
• Practicing acupuncturists (1991) which consist of approximately 500 alternative practitioners, who are both with and without an education in healthcare.
• Danish Physiotherapist society for Acupuncture and Pain (DFFAS) (2002) which consists of 450 members.

The above-mentioned organizations are primarily based on TCM theory. However the Danish Society for evidence-based acupuncture has a more scientific approach, but like the two first organisations it has no clear limitations for the use of acupuncture. DFFAS has a pure scientific approach and limits the use of acupuncture for clinical pain conditions and ailments supported by evidence-based effects.

DFFAS provides healthcare professionals with education, equivalent to 375 hours of theoretical and practical studies with a focus on acupuncture treatment and clinical pain management. The aim of the group, on a specialist level, is to impart knowledge and clinical competence within these subjects. The group activities are based on critical thinking and the objective is to function as learning- and educational setting for physiotherapists. This health scientific foundation has to ensure a continuous quality development, and ensure that the patient at any time receives the best possible treatment.

In Denmark there is no cooperation between the above groupings, primarily due to the different theoretical approaches. Acupuncture has since the 1. January 2007 been permitted as a treatment method without formal training requirements. At the same time acupuncture takes its entry into the Danish health services in an increasingly great extent.

Best greetings
Bjarne Rittig-Rasmussen