California Adds Acupuncture to Workers Comp Services

Another sign of the alternative medicine times.

The state of California has included acupuncture as part of acceptable treatment included in workers' compensation benefits.

Acupuncture Today reports in their October issue that as of June 15, 2007, workers injured on the job can receive acupuncture treatment for any injury or illness as part of their compensation and that claims for acupuncture treatment cannot be denied.

Typically, the State of California Division of Workers' Compensation guidelines allowed for a small number of occasional cases involving acupuncture treatments. Apparently the department didn't think acupuncture use was so popular.

But after extensive revision, the department realized that workers were presenting acupuncture treatment for more complaints more regularly. Pain management for almost every part of the body, including neck and back pain, was on the revision list. As was use of acupuncture for restoration of function. There were also lots of cases presenting electro acupuncture specifically.

According to sources, California chose to include acupuncture to align the guideline with current medical usage. Think of it as an "update" they say. For a detailed description of the new guidelines click here.