The New England School of Acupuncture (NESA), the oldest professional acupuncture school in the U.S., is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. Founded in 1975 in Watertown, Mass., by Dr. James Tin Yau So, who later became known as the “Father of American Acupuncture,” NESA began with a small group of students and a one-year diploma program rooted in Chinese medicine philosophy. Dr. So’s vision was to establish academic credibility for acupuncturists and integrate traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare.
Over five decades, NESA has realized this vision, evolving significantly. The school achieved national accreditation in 1988, the same year Massachusetts began licensing acupuncturists, with Dr. So receiving license No. 1. Its diploma program expanded to offer Master of Acupuncture (MAc) degrees by 1994, incorporating Japanese acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, and later Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc) degrees starting in 2017. NESA also forged clinical partnerships with prestigious hospitals like Tufts Medical Center, Boston Medical Center, and Massachusetts General Hospital, fostering an evidence-informed approach to acupuncture education. In 2016, NESA merged with the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), enabling collaboration with various healthcare professions and marking a significant step towards healthcare integration. Looking ahead, NESA is optimistic about acupuncture's growing recognition and integration, especially with expanding insurance support for pain management.