As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. “Acupuncture” means the insertion of needles into the human body by piercing the skin of the body to control and regulate the flow and balance of energy in the body and to cure, relieve or palliate the body for therapeutic purposes, including, without limitation:

(a) Any ailment or disease of the mind or body; or

(b) Any wound, bodily injury or deformity.

2. “Board” means the State Board of Oriental Medicine.

3. “Doctor of Oriental medicine” means a person who is licensed under the provisions of this chapter to practice as a doctor of Oriental medicine.

4. “Dry needling”:

(a) Means an advanced needling skill or technique limited to the treatment of myofascial pain, using a single-use, single-insertion, sterile needle without the use of heat, cold or any other added modality or medication, which is inserted into the skin or underlying tissue to stimulate a trigger point.

(b) Does not include:

(1) The stimulation of an auricular point;

(2) Utilization of a distal point or nonlocal point;

(3) Needle retention;

(4) Application of a retained electrical stimulation lead; or

(5) The teaching or application of other acupuncture theory.

5. “Herbal medicine” and “practice of herbal medicine” mean suggesting, recommending, prescribing or directing the use of herbs for the cure, relief or palliation of any ailment or disease of the mind or body, or for the cure or relief of any wound, bodily injury or deformity.

6. “Herbs” means any plant or part of a plant which is not prohibited by the laws of the United States or this State and is used in tests or examinations in the practice of Oriental medicine.

7. “Oriental medicine” means a system of the healing art which places the chief emphasis on the flow and balance of energy in the body mechanism as being the most important single factor in maintaining the well-being of the organism in health and disease. The term includes, without limitation, the practice of acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, dry needling and other services approved by the Board.

(Added to NRS by 1973, 635; A 1975, 231; 1981, 1289; 1991, 1127; 2001, 1104; 2019, 1596, effective January 1, 2020)