History NVA
The Dutch Working Group for (naturopathic) Practitioners NWP brought the activity 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 acupuncture clinic in Overveen. The philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine was the basis of the lessons at this institution. In 1977, students from the Anglo-Dutch College of Acupuncture and from the acupuncture training Pakua, all physiotherapists, founded the Dutch Acupuncture Association NVA.
A friend who was a lawyer of one of the founders was asked to draft the Articles of Association and initial regulations at the establishment of the NVA. This marked the beginning of almost 40 years of involvement of this lawyer, Mr. Monty Kraaijeveld, in the affairs of the NVA. He passed away on March 30, 2015. Until that day, he was still serving as the chairman of the disciplinary board of the NVA.
The NVA has an honorary member, Mr. Harm Elsinga (April 2014).
Mr. Hittjo Hummelen (honorary member since November 1995) passed away in 2021.
Both have made extraordinary contributions as chairmen to the NVA.