The Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of Nova Scotia (ATCMANS) was established in April 2008, by the boards of the Nova Scotia chapter of the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada (CMAAC) and the Acupuncture and Naturopathy Association of Nova Scotia (ANANS)- now the Acupuncture and Natural Medicine Association of Nova Scotia (ANMANS) to act as an umbrella association, uniting associations and practitioners, to advocate for the regulation of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Nova Scotia.

Another important ATCMANS goal is to provide a forum to help establish common standards of education and practice amongst acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine associations and their practitioners in Nova Scotia.

For over 16 years, CMAAC (Nova Scotia Chapter) and ANMANS have been lobbying the Nova Scotia government to legislate the practice of acupuncture and TCM with the full support of the national office of CMAAC and its other provincial chapters.

Dr. Diana Li (President ATCMANS) and Prof. Cedric Cheung (former President CMAAC)

Since 2000, CMAACs national office, under the leadership of its president, Professional Cedric Cheung, along with the CMAAC provincial chapter and ANMANS have corresponded with the Minister of Health of Nova Scotia. In 2005- 2006 representatives from CMAAC (Nova Scotia chapter) and ANANS approached the other health- care professions in Nova Scotia for their support. They met with the colleges and/or associations of chiropractic, physiotherapy, doctors, nursing and massage therapy. They also made contact with the dental association. These health-care professions have provided encouragement and letters of support for regulation. The representatives of CMAAC and ANANS made a special presentation to the Nova Scotia Health Department in the spring of 2006 to help educate the government and express their associations concerns for public safety and the need for regulation.

In September of 2008, Dr. Diana Tong Li in her capacity as president of ATCMANS met with a representative of the Minister of Health of Nova Scotia. Both parties recognized the need for all practitioners and associations of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine to speak with a common voice. Options for regulation were discussed. Once again public safety was presented as the main issue behind regulation. Understanding and progress was achieved.

CMAAC

The Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada is a not-for-profit, charitable organization registered with the Federal Government. From its inception in 1983, its mandate has been to lobby for the regulation of TCM and Acupuncture for the best interests of the public and to protect the good standing of the TCM community. There are eight chapter offices across Canada along with chapters in Taiwan and Hong Kong. In 1987, CMAAC became a member society of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) which is the only International organization recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). In 1990 the Nova Scotia/ Maritime chapter of CMAAC was formed to help establish standards of education and practice in Nova Scotia and the Maritimes. Dr. Diana Tong Li was appointed as its first president.

Dr. Diana Li (President ATCMANS) with provincial chapter presidents of CMAAC

ANMANS

The Acupuncture & Natural Medicine Association of Nova Scotia (ANMANS)- formerly called the Acupuncture and Naturopathy Association of Nova Scotia, was established in March 1993. This Association was formed by a group of doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture practitioners and doctors of Natural Medicine in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada. Dr. Franklyn Chen was elected as its first president.

Since then ANMANS has played an active role in educating the public and health-care community along with the office of the Minister of Health in the many benefits of acupuncture and natural medicine. It has set standards of practice and education for its members and helped bring many internationally, well-know doctors to Nova Scotia to give workshops for the professional development of its members and the health-care community.