A career in acupuncture will allow you to use ancient healing techniques to help patients live full and happy healthy lives. If you’re interested in becoming an acupuncturist, do read on. We gathered all the essential information that you would need if you’re on the verge of pursuing it.

About Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a time-tested ancient healing technique that originated in China. It enables healing by the strategic insertion of needles into the body to improve one’s energy flow or qi. Optimum wellness is achieved when a person’s qi is balanced. Acupuncture is practiced all over the world and it is set to get more popular and in demand in the coming years as people now prefer all-natural and organic healing methods.

Your Roles and Responsibilities

As an acupuncturist, you will have to insert needles on your patient’s special meridian points. These meridian points are energy pathways. Prior to the actual insertion of needles, you would have to do the following:

  • Get your patient’s complete medical history
  • Know of your patient’s symptoms
  • Conduct medical examination
  • Check your patient’s standard vital signs
  • Examine your patient’s tongue

What You’ll Need

In acupuncture sessions, you will need the following:

  • Sterilized needles
  • Source of heat
  • Application of pressure
  • Application of friction
  • Application of electromagnetic pulses

You will also need to be aware of the following Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques that all TCM Centre acupuncturists are experts of:

  • Cupping
  • Moxibustion
  • Gua sha
  • Electroacupuncture
  • Tui na
  • Ion pumping

What You’ll Treat

As an acupuncturist, you will be able to treat the following ailments:

  • Neck pain
  • Back pain
  • Knee pain
  • Headaches
  • Nervous System Issues like pinched nerves, numbness, and tingling
  • Migraines
  • Infertility
  • Hormonal Imbalance
  • Dizziness
  • Acne
  • Rashes
  • Irregular menstrual period

Your Career Path Options

As an acupuncturist, you can choose to work in the following workplaces that can offer dynamic career paths:

  1. Private Clinic – you will be doing the following in a private clinic:
  • Diagnose patients
  • Treat patients with the use of acupuncture techniques
  • Provide care plans for patients
  • Provide complementary therapies
  • Manage patient records
  • Marketing
  • Financial management
  1. Spa or Wellness Center – you will be doing the following if you’d opt to work in a spa or wellness center:
  • Diagnose patients
  • Treat patients with the use of acupuncture techniques
  • Provide patients with options for other helpful therapies
  1. Holistic Health Center
  • Diagnose patients
  • Treat patients with the use of acupuncture techniques
  • Provide patients with options for other helpful therapies
  • Chart treatments
  • Chart results
  • Keep patient records
  1. Integrative Medical Center
  • Diagnose patients
  • Treat patients with the use of acupuncture techniques
  • Provide patients with options for other helpful therapies
  • Meet with healthcare providers
  • Organize patient’s care plan

Will you work with other providers?

Yes, acupuncturists work with other healthcare professionals. Acupuncturists are now essential members of health teams that manage patients’ overall and holistic wellness.

Do you need a degree?

Yes, you will need a degree if you want to become an acupuncturist. To be able to practice acupuncture, you would need to have at least a master’s degree. You may also pursue higher learning with a doctoral degree. You can choose from the following widely offered programs:

  • Master of Oriental Medicine
  • Master of Acupuncture
  • Master of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbology Specialty
  • Doctor of Acupuncture

To ensure that you can practice, you need to verify if your program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).

Do you need a license?

Yes, you will need a license to be able to practice acupuncture.

How much will you earn?

Your earning will depend on your level of experience, the clinic that you work on, and the number of your patients.

What is the future of acupuncture?

The future of acupuncture is bright because more and more people now prefer alternative methods to heal that center on all-natural and holistic methods.

Do you have what it takes?

To know if you have what it takes to become an acupuncturist, ask yourself if you have the following skills:

  1. Great Listening Skills

To be a successful acupuncturist, you will need to be able to fully listen and effectively determine the need of your patients. You need to know how to ask the right questions and how to get to the root of important matters. You will need to be compassionate.

  1. Patience

You will work with patients that are heavily stressed and in deep fatigue. You will need to know how to handle their concerns without draining your energy. You will need to be extra gentle and careful in dealing with people’s ailments. Most of the patients that you will encounter are ones that will treat you as their last resort.

  1. Attention to Detail

You need to be accurate and precise at all times. You need to know every single important factor that can activate and unblock your patients’ energy flow.

  1. Management Skills

You will likely own your own clinic so it’s best if you know how to manage and market a business. You will also need to know how to budget your own clinic’s finances.

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