2026 Minnesota Statutes

147B.01 DEFINITIONS.

Subdivision 1.Applicability.

The definitions in this section apply to this chapter.

Subd. 2.Acupressure.

"Acupressure" means the application of pressure to acupuncture points.

Subd. 2a.Acupuncture.

"Acupuncture" means a unique treatment technique that uses modern and traditional medical methods of diagnosis and treatment. Acupuncture includes the insertion of filiform or acupuncture needles through the skin and may include the use of other biophysical methods of acupuncture point stimulation, including the use of heat, massage, or manual therapy techniques or electrical stimulation. Acupuncture includes but is not limited to therapies termed "dry needling," "trigger point therapy," "intramuscular therapy," "auricular detox treatment," and similar terms referring to the insertion of needles past the skin for pain management, disease or symptom modification, or other related treatments.

Subd. 3.Acupuncture and herbal medicine practice.

"Acupuncture and herbal medicine practice" means a unique and comprehensive system of health care that uses traditional and modern diagnosis, methodology, and treatment techniques based on acupuncture and herbal medicine theory, principles, and methods. Treatment techniques include but are not limited to acupuncture, cupping, dermal friction, therapeutic massage, herbal therapies, dietary guidelines, mind-body exercises, and other appropriate techniques.

Subd. 4.Acupuncture needle.

"Acupuncture needle" means a needle designed exclusively for the purposes of insertion past the skin to alleviate pain, provide symptom relief, or modulate disease processes. It has a solid core, with a tapered point, and is 0.12 millimeters to 0.45 millimeters in thickness. It is constructed of stainless steel, gold, silver, or other board-approved materials as long as the materials can be sterilized according to recommendations of the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Subd. 5.Acupuncture points.

"Acupuncture points" means specific anatomically described locations as defined by the recognized acupuncture reference texts. These texts are listed in the study guide to the examination for the NCBAHM certification exam.

Subd. 6.Acupuncture practitioner.

"Acupuncture practitioner" means a person licensed to practice acupuncture under this chapter.

Subd. 7.Board.

"Board" means the Board of Medical Practice or its designee.

Subd. 8.

MS 2000 [Repealed, 2002 c 375 art 3 s 11]

Subd. 9.Breathing techniques.

"Breathing techniques" means breathing exercises taught to a patient as part of a treatment plan.

Subd. 10.Cupping.

"Cupping" means a therapy in which a jar-shaped instrument is attached to the skin and negative pressure is created by using suction.

Subd. 11.Dermal friction.

"Dermal friction" means rubbing on the surface of the skin, using topical ointments with a smooth-surfaced instrument without a cutting edge that can be sterilized or, if disposable, a onetime only use product.

Subd. 12.Diplomate in acupuncture.

"Diplomate in acupuncture" means a person who is certified by the NCBAHM as having met the standards of competence established by the NCBAHM, who subscribes to the NCBAHM code of ethics, and who has a current and active NCBAHM certificate. Current and active NCBAHM certification indicates successful completion of continued professional development and previous satisfaction of NCBAHM requirements.

Subd. 13.Electrical stimulation.

"Electrical stimulation" means a method of stimulating acupuncture points by an electrical current of .001 to 100 milliamps, or other current as approved by the board. Electrical stimulation may be used by attachment of a device to an acupuncture needle or may be used transcutaneously without penetrating the skin.

Subd. 14.Herbal therapies or herbal medicine.

"Herbal therapies" or "herbal medicine" means the use of herbs and patent herbal remedies as supplements as part of the treatment plan of the patient.

Subd. 14a.Low-level or cold laser.

"Low-level or cold laser" means a laser classified as a Class IIIa laser used for stimulation of acupuncture points or channels.

Subd. 14b.Low-level or cold laser acupuncture.

"Low-level or cold laser acupuncture" means acupuncture performed by using a low-level or cold laser to stimulate acupuncture points or channels.

Subd. 15.

MS 2000 [Repealed, 2002 c 375 art 3 s 11]

Subd. 16.NCBAHM.

"NCBAHM" means the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, a not-for-profit corporation organized under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Subd. 16a.NCBAHM certification.

"NCBAHM certification" means a certification granted by the NCBAHM to a person who has met the standards of competence established for either NCBAHM certification in acupuncture or NCBAHM certification in herbal medicine.

Subd. 17.Needle sickness.

"Needle sickness" is a temporary state of nausea and dizziness that is a potential side effect to needle insertion and from which full recovery occurs when the needles are removed.

Subd. 18.

MS 2024 [Repealed, 2026 c 115 art 1 s 27]

History:

1995 c 177 s 2; 1998 c 254 art 1 s 38-40; 2004 c 279 art 3 s 1; 2026 c 115 art 1 s 2-12