2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 12 - Professions and Occupations
Health Care
Article 29.5 - Acupuncturists
§ 12-29.5-102. Definitions

As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Acupuncture" means a system of health care based upon traditional and modern oriental medical concepts that employs oriental methods of diagnosis, treatment, and adjunctive therapies for the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health and the prevention of disease.

(2) "Acupuncturist" means any person who provides for compensation, or holds himself out to the public as providing, acupuncture services.

(3) "Director" means the director of the division of professions and occupations in the department of regulatory agencies.

(3.2) "Guest acupuncturist" means an acupuncturist who is:

(a) Licensed, registered, certified, or regulated as an acupuncturist in another jurisdiction;

(b) In this state for the purpose of instruction or education for not more than seven days within a three-month period; and

(c) Under the direct supervision of a Colorado licensed acupuncturist or licensed chiropractor while performing such instruction or education.

(3.3) "Injection therapy" means the injection of sterile herbs, vitamins, minerals, homeopathic substances, or other similar substances specifically manufactured for nonintravenous injection into acupuncture points by means of hypodermic needles used primarily for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. Permissible substances include saline, glucose, lidocaine, procaine, oriental herbs, vitamin B-12, traumeel, sarapin, and homeopathic substances. "Injection therapy" includes the use of epinephrine and oxygen as necessary for patient care and safety, including for the purpose of addressing any risk of allergic reactions when using injection substances.

(3.4) "Licensee" means an acupuncturist licensed pursuant to section 12-29.5-104.

(3.5) (a) "Practice of acupuncture" means the insertion and removal of acupuncture needles, injection therapy, the application of heat therapies to specific areas of the human body, and adjunctive therapies. Adjunctive therapies within the scope of acupuncture may include manual, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and electromagnetic treatment; the recommendation of therapeutic exercises; and, subject to federal law, the recommendation of herbs and dietary guidelines. The "practice of acupuncture" is based upon traditional and modern oriental medical concepts and does not include the utilization of western medical diagnostic tests and procedures, such as magnetic resonance imaging, radiographs (X rays), computerized tomography scans, and ultrasound.

(b) Nothing in this article authorizes an acupuncturist to perform the practice of medicine; surgery; spinal adjustment, manipulation, or mobilization; or any other form of healing except as authorized by this article.

(4) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2002, p. 33, § 1, effective March 13, 2002.)