Acupuncture points on a map of the USA

Acupuncture in the US: Growth, Trends, and What It Means for Your Health

Author's portrait.
Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"Explore the rising popularity of acupuncture in America, its role in pain management, and how it's becoming a mainstream healthcare option."


Acupuncture, a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is rapidly gaining recognition in the United States as a valuable non-pharmacological medical therapy. More people are turning to acupuncture for integrative healthcare solutions, seeking alternatives or complements to conventional treatments. This growing interest highlights the need to understand the current landscape of acupuncture in the U.S., including the number of practitioners, their distribution, and the educational institutions that support this field.

Driven by the increasing use of acupuncture among U.S. adults and a growing demand for non-opioid pain management solutions, acupuncture's role in healthcare is evolving. As the opioid crisis intensifies, acupuncture is increasingly recognized for its potential in pain relief and addiction treatment. Government bodies and healthcare organizations are now advocating for non-pharmacological options like acupuncture, further propelling its integration into mainstream medicine.

This article delves into a recent study analyzing the distribution of licensed acupuncturists and educational institutions across the United States as of early 2018. We'll explore key findings, including the states with the highest concentration of acupuncturists, the growth of the profession over time, and the implications for healthcare access and treatment options. Understanding these trends can empower you to make informed decisions about your health and wellness journey.

Acupuncture's Growing Footprint: Key Stats and Trends

Acupuncture points on a map of the USA

A comprehensive study conducted in early 2018 provides valuable insights into the state of acupuncture in the U.S. The research, which involved contacting regulatory boards in each state and conducting online license searches, revealed several key trends:

The number of actively licensed acupuncturists in the U.S. reached 37,886 as of January 1, 2018. This represents a significant increase of 257% since 1998, indicating a substantial growth in the profession.

  • Geographic Concentration: Ten states account for a significant majority (75.09%) of all acupuncturists in the U.S. These states, in order of total number of practitioners, are California, New York, Florida, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Texas, New Jersey, Maryland, and Massachusetts.
  • Dominant States: California leads the nation with 12,135 licensed acupuncturists, followed by New York (4,438) and Florida (2,705). These three states alone account for over half (50.88%) of all practicing acupuncturists in the U.S.
  • Density Variation: The density of acupuncturists per 100,000 population varies widely across states. Hawaii has the highest density (52.82), followed by Oregon (34.88), Vermont (30.79), California (30.69), and New Mexico (30.27).
  • Educational Infrastructure: There are 62 active, accredited Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) schools in the U.S., offering a total of 100 programs. These include master's degrees in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, as well as postgraduate and entry-level doctorate degrees.
These figures highlight not only the increasing popularity of acupuncture but also the geographic disparities in access to this form of healthcare. The concentration of practitioners in certain states suggests established markets and greater acceptance of acupuncture, while other regions may have limited availability.

The Future of Acupuncture: Growth, Integration, and Access

The data clearly indicates that acupuncture is steadily growing in the United States, with increasing numbers of practitioners and educational programs. This growth is driven by a combination of factors, including rising consumer demand, the need for non-opioid pain management solutions, and increasing recognition from healthcare institutions and policymakers.

Despite this progress, challenges remain. The geographic concentration of acupuncturists highlights disparities in access to care. Efforts to expand insurance coverage for acupuncture and integrate it into mainstream healthcare systems are crucial to ensuring that more people can benefit from this therapy.

As acupuncture continues to gain acceptance and its evidence base expands, it is poised to play an increasingly important role in promoting health and wellness in the U.S. Whether you're seeking pain relief, exploring alternative therapies, or simply curious about acupuncture, understanding these trends can empower you to make informed decisions about your healthcare journey.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.10.015, Alternate LINK

Title: Distribution Of Licensed Acupuncturists And Educational Institutions In The United States At The Start Of 2018

Subject: Advanced and Specialized Nursing

Journal: Complementary Therapies in Medicine

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Arthur Yin Fan, Steven H. Stumpf, Sarah Faggert Alemi, Amy Matecki

Published: 2018-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

How many licensed acupuncturists were practicing in the United States as of early 2018, and what does this number signify?

As of early 2018, there were 37,886 actively licensed acupuncturists in the United States. This figure represents a substantial increase of 257% since 1998, illustrating the growing acceptance and adoption of this Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice. This increase reflects a rising demand for alternative and complementary healthcare options among U.S. adults.

2

Which states have the highest concentration of licensed acupuncturists, and what percentage of the total number of U.S. acupuncturists do they represent?

California, New York, and Florida have the highest numbers of licensed acupuncturists. California leads with 12,135 practitioners, followed by New York with 4,438, and Florida with 2,705. These three states collectively account for over half (50.88%) of all practicing acupuncturists in the U.S., indicating significant regional concentrations of this healthcare service.

3

Which states have the highest density of acupuncturists relative to their population, and what does this variation indicate about healthcare access?

Hawaii has the highest density of acupuncturists per population, with 52.82 acupuncturists per 100,000 residents. Oregon, Vermont, California, and New Mexico also have high densities, reflecting greater integration and acceptance of acupuncture in these areas. This density variation across states suggests disparities in access to acupuncture services nationwide.

4

How many Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) schools are there in the U.S., and what types of programs do they offer?

There are 62 active, accredited Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) schools in the U.S., offering a total of 100 programs. These programs include master's degrees in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, as well as postgraduate and entry-level doctorate degrees. The presence of these educational institutions is vital for training qualified practitioners and ensuring the continued growth of acupuncture as a healthcare option.

5

How is the rise of acupuncture connected to the opioid crisis, and what implications does this have for mainstream medicine and pain management?

Acupuncture's growing integration is significantly driven by the need for non-opioid pain management solutions. As the opioid crisis intensifies, healthcare organizations and government bodies are increasingly recognizing and advocating for non-pharmacological options like acupuncture. This recognition is propelling acupuncture into mainstream medicine, offering a valuable alternative for those seeking pain relief and addiction treatment, though further research is needed to fully establish efficacy for all conditions.

Newsletter Subscribe

Subscribe to get the latest articles and insights directly in your inbox.