History NVA
The Dutch Working Group for (naturopathic) Practitioners NWP brought the activities of the British Acupuncture Association BAcC to the Netherlands in 1972. They established the first acupuncture school in the Netherlands, the Anglo-Dutch College of Acupuncture, as well as the first outpatient clinic for acupuncture in Overveen. The philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine formed the basis of the lessons in this program. In 1977, students from the Anglo-Dutch College of Acupuncture and from the acupuncture program Pakua, all physiotherapists, founded the Dutch Association for Acupuncture NVA.
A lawyer friend of one of the founders was asked to draft the Statutes and initial regulations at the establishment of the NVA. This marked the beginning of nearly 40 years of involvement from this lawyer, Mr. Monty Kraaijeveld, in the fortunes of the NVA. He passed away on March 30, 2015. Until that day, he was still serving as the chairman of the NVA's disciplinary board.
The NVA has three honorary members: Mr. Harm Elsinga (April 2014), Mr. Maarten Wouters (2026), and Ms. Johanna Biemans (2026). Mr. Hittjo Hummelen (honorary member since November 1995) passed away in 2021. Both have made extraordinary contributions to the NVA as chairpersons.
