Colorado § 12-200-103 - Definitions.

§ 12-200-103. Definitions.

As used in this article 200, unless the context otherwise requires:

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

(1.5) "Acupuncture aide" means an unlicensed individual performing tasks delegated to the individual by, and under the supervision of, an acupuncturist in accordance with rules promulgated by the director pursuant to section 12-200-114.

(2) "Acupuncturist" means a person who is licensed pursuant to this article 200 to perform acupuncture.

(3) "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 instruction or education.

(4) "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, sterile 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.

(5) (a) (I) "Practice of acupuncture" means the insertion and removal of acupuncture needles, dry needling, 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 contemporary medical concepts and utilizes western medicine diagnostic codes.

(II) "Practice of acupuncture" includes:

(A) The delegation of specified tasks to and the supervision of acupuncture aides in the performance of tasks as specified in rules promulgated by the director pursuant to section 12-200-114; and

(B) The provision of acupuncture services through telehealth.

(b) Nothing in this article 200 authorizes an acupuncturist to perform the practice of medicine; surgery; or spinal adjustment, manipulation, or mobilization.

Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1022, § 1, effective October 1. L. 2022: (1), (2), (4), and (5) amended and (1.5) added, (HB 22-1263), ch. 254, p. 1850, § 6, effective September 1.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 12-29.5-102 as it existed prior to 2019.