Rhode Island Acupuncturist Arrested for Practicing without a License

Stephen Barrett, M.D.
December 14, 2019

In September 2019, the Rhode Island State Police arrested Tadeusz Sztykowsi—also known as “Dr. Tad”—for practicing acupuncture without a license [1]. Sztykowsi owns the Centers for Integrative Medicine and Healing in Providence, Rhode Island, which was incorporated in 1995 and assumed its current name in 2014. In 2015, the clinic Web site included the following statements about his background:

  • Dr. Sztykowski was born in Poland in and started his medical studies in 1975. He graduated from Medical School in Gdansk in 1982. His postgraduate training took him to the Institute of Female Disorders in Gdansk where he completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency obtaining board certification in OB/GYN in 1987. During his postgraduate years he intensively trained in Emergency Medicine as well as completed his internship in internal diseases, surgery and pediatrics.
  • After moving to the United States in 1987, he began commenced studies of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA) in Watertown, MA. After graduating from NESA in 1990 he passed the national exam set forth by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
  • In 1995, he became the first President of the newly formed Rhode Island Society of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
  • In 1999 he formed the Foundation for the Development of Integrative Medicine and in 2000 he became a board member of the American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM). After serving on the board for two years, he was made vice president of the organization.
  • Dr. Tad established his first practice in September of 1990. Since then Centers for Integrative Medicine and Healing has successfully treated over 21,000 patients with their health problems with a 97% success rate.
  • Dr. Tad has delivered more than 5,000 newborns, performed 2,000 surgeries, has treated more than 40,000 patients with both Western Medicine and Oriental Medicine and is a licensed M.D. in 28 Countries.
  • In 1993, he founded the first program in Acupuncture and Alternative Medicine in the U.S. for medical residents at Rhode Island Hospital, in cooperation with Brown Medical School. He remained a faculty member of program for over 10 years.
  • In 2003, the AAOM gave him its Acupuncturist of the Year Award. He has taught on the topics of Acupuncture, Chinese & Integrative Medicine, etc. at various organizations and institutions, including Brown University Medical School, R.I. Hospital, Woman & Infants Hospital, American Heart Association, Brain Injury Association, Annual New England Worker’s Compensation Conference and hundreds of other places [2].

The Web site also claimed to be “the nation’s most advanced oriental medicine,
acupuncture and integrative medicine clinic.” [3] The clinic brochure, which identified Sztykowski as “Dr. Tad Sztykowski M.D. (Lic. In EU), D. Ac
Medical Director,” said that the conditions it treated included allergies/asthma, anxiety/depression, arthritis, back/knee/shoulder pain, kidney/bladder problems, cancer support, carpal tunnel syndrome, chemotherapy side effects, childhood illness, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, conjunctivitis, colds/flu, constipation/diarrhea, cough/bronchitis, diabetes, digestive disorders, dizziness/vertigo, drug addiction/ smoking/alcoholism, fibromyalgia, gynecological issues, headache/migraines, heart disorders, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, immune system problems, infertility, insomnia, Lyme, menopausal issues, pain, PMS, paralysis/numbness, post-surgery pain, sciatica, sexual dysfunction, sinusitis/rhinitis, shingles, skin problems, spinal stenosis, stress/tension, and tendonitis [sic]. The brochure further claimed that its “elite team of doctors” would always heal symptoms “while at the same time eliminating the root cause of the issue.” [4].

There is no logical reason to believe that acupuncture is effective against any of the above conditions [5]. The idea that sticking needles in someone can address the “root causes” of these conditions is preposterous.

In addition to operating the clinic, Sztykowski has hosted The Dr. Tad Show on WPRO talk radio and appeared on WPRI Media, a pay-to-broadcast TV channel.

The Rhode Island Department of Health, which regulates the licensing and practice of acupuncture, has taken several actions against Sztykowski:

  • In 2013, he was ordered to stop advising patients to discontinue drugs prescribed by their physicians [6].
  • In 2016, he was notified that a hearing would be held to determine whether he should be subject to disciplinary action for violating the 2013 order.
  • In 2017, he signed a consent order under which he permanently surrendered his acupuncture license [7].
  • In August 2019, he was ordered to stop offering healthcare services through his unlicensed clinic [8].

Sztykowski acquired a Florida license in 2013. Based on the 2017 Rhode Island action, the Florida Board of Acupuncture reprimanded him and ordered him to pay a $2,500 fine and complete three hours of continuing education in Florida laws and rules, three hours in prevention of medical errors, and two hours in ethics [9]. On December 14, 2019, the board’s database says that his Florida license expired on February 28, 2018.

Practicing acupuncture without a license is a misdemeanor. If convicted, Sztykowski could be sentenced to up to three years in prison, fined up to $1,000, or both. He has pleaded not guilty. The progress of the case can be followed on the District Court’s register of actions page. His former cimh.com home page states “account suspended.”

References
  1. Dr. Tad arrested for practicing acupuncture without a license. GoLocalkProv News, Sept 12, 2019.
  2. Our team. CIMH Web site, archived, Oct 9, 2015.
  3. CIMH home page, archived Aug 25, 2016.
  4. CIMH brochure, modified March 13, 2015.
  5. Novella S. Acupuncture doesn’t work. Science-Based Medicine, June 19, 2013.
  6. Compliance order. In the matter of Tadeusz Sztykowski, D.Ac., Nov 6, 2013.
  7. Consent order for voluntary surrender of license. Rhode Island Department of Health v Tadeusz A. Sztykowski, May 26, 2017.
  8. Rhode Island Department of Health. Cease and desist letter to Dr. Sztykowski and the Centers for Integrative Medicine and Healing, Aug 29, 2019.
  9. Final order. Florida Department of Health vs. Tadeusz Adam SztyKowski. Case No 2017-11096, filed July 3, 2019.