The Origins of ASVA - Why Acupuncturists can Practice in Virginia

At about the same time, Floyd found Clive Duvall, a senior state senator who was willing to sponsor a bill in the Virginia legislature.  The bill simply gave the Virginia Board of Medicine authority over the practice of acupuncture in Virginia.  Although the bill didn’t have much clout, it did introduce acupuncture to the state legislature requiring a panel to be formed by the Board of Medicine to look at acupuncture in the state.

Over the next several years, the three students graduated from TAI, but continued their work as the ASVA representatives.  They had the financial and advisory support of TAI and their fellow students.  They tirelessly made trips to Richmond to appear before the panel committee to answer any concerns the panel raised.  

One of the defining moments came when one patient recruited to speak before the panel was asked by a panel member if she would go to a medical doctor who practiced acupuncture on the side rather than an acupuncturist.  The patient’s response was if she were looking for a plumber, she wouldn’t go to an electrician who practiced plumbing on the side.  That statement sealed the deal and the panel gave their blessing to the legalization of acupuncture in Virginia.

Acupuncture was signed into law by Governor Douglas Wilder when he was in office from 1990 to 1994.  It allowed for the practice of acupuncture under the supervision of a medical doctor.  

The diligent work of ASVA’s founders and the continued work by ASVA have allowed acupuncture to thrive in this once double red light state.    We now can practice without medical supervision as later lobbying efforts by ASVA reduced this requirement to a signed form in each patient’s file. 

All of us who practice and those of us who receive acupuncture treatments in Virginia have ASVA to thank for the work that has been done on our behalf to allow us to practice this marvelous healing modality.