Acupuncture in Sweden
Acupuncture History
In 1984 the Swedish National Board allowed acupuncture with Western orientation as treatment of pain in health care. In 1993 the indication area expanded to include certain medical conditions according to science and reliable experience. In Sweden today, treatment with acupuncture is deregulated for authorized health professionals. This means that any authorized professional has responsibility for their own competence and the necessary evidence to carry out their treatment.
Education
Sweden has currently two organizations working with evidence-based acupuncture and offering courses: Swedish Medical Acupuncture Society (doctors and nurses), which has 300 members and the Division of Pain and Sensory Stimulation SgSS (physiotherapists), which has 1200 members. The organizations have arranged acupuncture congresses every two years since 1990. For authorized health care professionals is offered basic course in acupuncture for pain, advanced courses focusing on different pain conditions, disorders, and for stress-related illness. Courses are also offered in ear- and trigger point acupuncture. All courses are based on current western neurophysiology and pain physiology. The first course took place in 1985.
Research
In Sweden research on acupuncture for both master programs and doctoral theses has been pursued for many years. There is constantly trials of acupuncture as treatment and evaluation of its effects going on in cooperation with universities around Sweden.
Mari Lundberg
Chairman of SgSS, Physiotherapy Division of Pain and Sensory stimulation.
Anna Zlatevska
Contact of the organization committee and member of the Board SgSS
In 1984 the Swedish National Board allowed acupuncture with Western orientation as treatment of pain in health care. In 1993 the indication area expanded to include certain medical conditions according to science and reliable experience. In Sweden today, treatment with acupuncture is deregulated for authorized health professionals. This means that any authorized professional has responsibility for their own competence and the necessary evidence to carry out their treatment.
Education
Sweden has currently two organizations working with evidence-based acupuncture and offering courses: Swedish Medical Acupuncture Society (doctors and nurses), which has 300 members and the Division of Pain and Sensory Stimulation SgSS (physiotherapists), which has 1200 members. The organizations have arranged acupuncture congresses every two years since 1990. For authorized health care professionals is offered basic course in acupuncture for pain, advanced courses focusing on different pain conditions, disorders, and for stress-related illness. Courses are also offered in ear- and trigger point acupuncture. All courses are based on current western neurophysiology and pain physiology. The first course took place in 1985.
Research
In Sweden research on acupuncture for both master programs and doctoral theses has been pursued for many years. There is constantly trials of acupuncture as treatment and evaluation of its effects going on in cooperation with universities around Sweden.
Mari Lundberg
Chairman of SgSS, Physiotherapy Division of Pain and Sensory stimulation.
Anna Zlatevska
Contact of the organization committee and member of the Board SgSS