THE HISTORY OF LHASA OMS
BUILDING THE FOUNDATION OF
THE UNITED STATES ACUPUNCTURE PROFESSION
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1978
Tom Riihimaki (future Lhasa OMS founder) graduates from New England School of Acupuncture (NESA)
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1979
Tom starts OMS to help train and equip professional users in proper acupuncture techniques
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1979
Tom works tirelessly to be able to import disposable acupuncture needles from Japan, Korea, and China.
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1979
Lhasa OMS becomes the first importer of disposable acupuncture needles into the U.S. market
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1982
Tom takes second mortgage to save NESA from closure
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1983
Lhasa OMS releases their first mail order catalog
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1990
Lhasa OMS becomes the exclusive U.S. importer of SEIRIN acupuncture needles
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1991
Lhasa OMS develops the first hand-held, point location device, the Pointer Plus
![](https://www.lhasaoms.com/media/wysiwyg/009.png)
1992
Lhasa OMS becomes the exclusive U.S. importer of Hwato acupuncture needles
![](https://www.lhasaoms.com/media/wysiwyg/010.png)
1996
Lhasa OMS becomes the exclusive U.S. importer of DBC acupuncture needles
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1996
Working with other industry pioneers, Tom is instrumental in making acupuncture needles legally available for use in the U.S.
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2009
Lhasa OMS adds Chinese Herbs to product line to make practitioner ordering more convenient
![](https://www.lhasaoms.com/media/wysiwyg/013.png)
2016
Lhasa OMS becomes a premiere sponsor of Acupuncturists Without Borders
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2017
Lhasa OMS becomes a premiere partner with Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
![](https://www.lhasaoms.com/media/wysiwyg/015.png)
2017
Lhasa OMS surpasses 50 million needles donated to humanitarian relief partners
![](https://www.lhasaoms.com/media/wysiwyg/016.png)
2018
Lhasa OMS becomes a premiere partner with NESA
![](https://www.lhasaoms.com/media/wysiwyg/017.png)
2018
Lhasa OMS launches Patient Advocacy Fund — for the betterment of acupuncture and education training standards
![Lhasa OMS Cares](https://www.lhasaoms.com/media/wysiwyg/hand.png)