How to become An Acupuncturist

• Acupressurist
• Acupressure Therapist
• Acupuncture Doctor
• Acupuncture Physician
• Doctor of Acupuncture
• Licenced Acupuncturist
• Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

What do Acupuncturists do?

An Acupuncturist would typically need to:

• Provide a broad range of healthcare services: chronic issues, addiction treatment, pain management, and rehabilitation assistance
• Manipulate the Qi appropriately to treat a range of emotional and physical disorders
• Carry out an initial consultation with each patient before establishing a detailed case history by assessing their physical, mental, and emotional health
• Determine an appropriate treatment plan, give a brief description of Oriental medicine to patients, explain the diagnosis and treatment to them while responding to their questions as well as concerns
• Devise a “point prescription” by applying light to heavy pressure with their trained hands and feel around Acupuncture points on the patient’s body to determine where to place a needle
• Conduct subsequent one-to-one sessions with patients, lasting between 45 minutes to an hour, to treat them by inserting fine needles into the skin at particular locations to stimulate the energy flow along meridians (energy channels) and the body's healing response
• Incorporate moxibustion, electro-Acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, dietary modifications, and exercise into the treatment plan
• Assess patient progress through questioning and examination as well as reviewing treatment plans if necessary
• Keep records of patients and finances to organize and promote their practice

Acupuncturists often work in more than one location or setting, which can provide variety. There may also be opportunities to work abroad. A uniform is not required, but many acupuncturists choose to wear white clinical clothing (tunic and trousers).

Your working hours as an Acupuncturist depend on whether you are employed or self-employed and on your personal preferences. Several acupuncturists work office hours to manage family commitments. However, many patients are prepared to pay a premium for evening and weekend sessions. If you are self-employed and mobile, a career in Acupuncture can provide as much flexibility as suits your lifestyle. Part-time work and career breaks are possible.

The vast majority of acupuncturists are self-employed and work from their own home or premises or visit patients' homes. In addition to healthcare facilities, some companies keen to enhance their employees’ potential may use Acupuncturists’ services. Since acupuncturists are generally self-employed, vacancy adverts are limited.

Acupuncturists are generally employed by:

• Private Practices
• General Practitioner Practices
• Multidisciplinary Clinics
• Hospitals
• Hospices
• Research Institutions
• Colleges
• Universities
• Companies

Professional organizations represent and communicate the interests of registered acupuncturists openly and transparently. They promote and facilitate the further development of skills and maintain an open forum for the exchange of information and opinion. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as an Acupuncturist.

• Patient compliance - current or potential clients admit to health issues and the need for help but are not motivated to follow the prescribed treatment or make empowering lifestyle changes through self-sustained measures that could alleviate the root cause of their complaints
• Irregularity of patients in booking or attending sessions

Some time spent shadowing a qualified Acupuncturist before you start practicing would enable you to observe not only technique but also patient care and the running of a clinic.

Currently, a master’s degree is required to become a professional Acupuncturist. Accredited programs confer masters-level certificates, diplomas, and degrees. Some schools offer programs that grant combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Programs vary in length and specialty, but most take three or four years of study and clinical experience.

Coursework includes both commonly taught subjects—such as anatomy, biophysics, and nutrition—and those exclusive to instruction in traditional Oriental medicine—such as Acupuncture, herbology, and needle technique. Clinical experience comprises observation, assistantships, and internships. Practice treatments are carried out under the close supervision of trained and experienced acupuncturists.

Completing an accredited course will show that the practice meets robust professional standards.

Knowledge of biological sciences is helpful, but it is not essential to have previous experience in healthcare to get onto an Acupuncture course. Personal experience of successful treatment and any experience of teaching, counseling, massage, and nursing may be useful.

Applicants to a certification program for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine must be at least 18 years old and may need to fulfill formal training and experience requirements, agree to a code of ethics, pass comprehensive written and point-location exams, and complete a course in clean-needle technique to prevent transmission of blood-borne diseases, such as hepatitis.

In most countries, Acupuncturists need a government-approved license to practice. Certification and licensing depend heavily on completing or being enrolled in an accredited course.

There is no structured career progression for an Acupuncturist. Success depends on professional and business ability. Client numbers tend to increase as you gain experience and reputation. Effective self-promotion is essential for professional success.

An Acupuncturist with considerable experience may choose to teach or supervise students on courses, e.g., as Clinical Supervisors at Acupuncture colleges. They could also choose to research, write, or practice another therapy alongside Acupuncture. The specific requirements of the country an Acupuncturist chooses to practice may differ from those of the country they trained in.

Demand and employment opportunities will be found at alternative medicine centers and in a joint practice with traditional doctors or chiropractors. Most Acupuncturists working in the United States enhance their job prospects by joining the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM), which provides information on case studies, research, and clinical practice to help its members keep abreast of relevant changes and advances.

Continuing professional development (CPD) and training seminars are run by colleges and professional organizations, which Acupuncturists are encouraged to attend. Once you are qualified and licensed as an Acupuncturist, you might be presented with opportunities to diversify.

Offering massage therapy, as well as Acupuncture, gives clients two related services during one appointment. If you are prepared to go back to school, you should find that your Acupuncture qualification opens several doors. A master’s degree in occupational therapy, along with massage and Acupuncture would allow you to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation and pain management service.

Further training in specific Acupuncture techniques, advanced Acupuncture theory, Chinese herbal medicine, and holistic medical therapies will help increase knowledge. You can choose to specialize in addictions, antenatal care, asthma, HIV/AIDS, infertility, oncology, pain management, psychiatric care, and stroke rehabilitation.

Some short courses are offered in English in countries such as China and Hong Kong. Acupuncturists keen on research and academics may pursue a PhD. Support groups help in seeking out professional opinion, networking, and keeping abreast of opportunities for further training and development.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) schools require intense commitment from students. The programs are academically rigorous. Acupuncturists need to be at ease with physical contact.

Practitioners should be able to work in various workplaces, including patients' homes, with a range of clients and colleagues. Jobs are widely available in both urban and rural areas.

Applicability

Acupuncturists work alongside traditional medical practitioners to deliver multidisciplinary care programs to alleviate pain and improve mobility. Health providers are now using acupuncture therapy for conditions such as tension headaches, stress, migraine, joint pain, dental pain, chronic back pain, hay fever, depression, sciatica, dysentery, postoperative pain, and renal colic.

Number of Clients and Session Time

Acupuncturists treat between one and four clients a day in the early stages. Once established, they may treat 30 to 40 clients per week. The first treatment session, including the interview, may last about one to two hours. Subsequent ones may take 45 minutes to one hour.

Outcomes for Patients

Some patients feel better immediately, others don’t notice a change until hours later, and a small number have no response. Most patients need two or three treatments before seeing a difference - regardless of their body’s response to the first visit.

Supplementing Income

The regular income of an Acupuncturist is related to the practice’s success and maybe low during the first three to four years. Some Acupuncturists may write books to share their knowledge and supplement their income.

In the West, the first record of Acupuncture dates to 1810, when it was used at the Paris Medical School to treat abdominal pain.

A genuinely great Acupuncturist is hard to find, difficult to part with, and impossible to forget!

Learn more about practice management. You will come out of school, knowing how to be a decent Acupuncturist, and your clinical skills will grow with time. But the only way they will grow is if your practice/clinic runs and becomes as well!