Category: Knowledge

Dec62018

Master’s Degree in Acupuncture: All You Need to Know

There are a number of skills that you can learn to launch your professional career. However, if you ask someone about what he wants to do or become in life then he will give you a rather typical answer that revolves around a career in medicine, engineering or business.

There are very few people who will think about anything else as a career and there are even fewer people who will consider becoming an acupuncturist.

Becoming an acupuncturist in the United States is not something that you can do in a couple of months. Instead, if you wish to become a licensed acupuncturist in the US then you must earn a four year master’s degree, you will also have to pass the national board exams. Chinese medicine is growing as a field at a very fast pace and there are more opportunities that are being created everyday. Here you will learn about the main things that you need to know about Master’s Degree in Acupuncture.

What You Will Learn?

Learning the right way of acupuncture

Every acupuncture institute will have different admission requirements and they might be teaching some things differently on some level. However, for the most part, the things that you will learn in class will remain the same. Some of the main topics that will be covered during the program are mentioned below:

  • Western Medicine
  • Acupuncture Points
  • Needle Technique
  • Ethics
  • Practice Management
  • Nutrition
  • Asian Bodywork

The students will also have the chance to work in actual clinical settings where they will get the opportunity to get hands-on experience about everything that they have learned in class. There is no point in learning the theory in class if you are not doing anything practical and that is why there is a lot of focus on this aspect.

There are a number of courses that are offered by different institutions, however, we will not discuss all of the different institutions because then the discussion will get too lengthy. Depending on the school you choose, the courses might be a little different. However, the main courses that most schools offer are mentioned below:

  • Practice Management
  • Acupuncture Techniques I and II
  • Internal Medicine I and II
  • Channels and Points I and II
  • Japanese Acupuncture Diagnostic Methods
  • Asian Bodywork-Amma/Shiatsu/Tui Na
  • Eastern and Western Nutrition
  • Fundamental Theory of Oriental Medicine
  • Medical Ethics

Things You Can Do With An Acupuncture Degree

Education for mastery in Acupuncture

There are many people who believe that there is much that you can do with an acupuncture degree, however, this is not very true because the field of Chinese medicine is growing at a very fast pace. If you get the acupuncture degree then you can do a lot of things to launch your professional career forward. For most people, the best option is to open their own acupuncture clinic. They want to become successful entrepreneurs and they feel that opening their own practice is a good start.

But what if you are someone who likes a normal job? What to do then? Well, you can become an acupuncturist at a hospital. Although there are only a few hospitals who have invested in acupuncture others are joining the race very fast. As acupuncture grows as a field many hospitals are hiring acupuncturist, may be you could be one of them.

You can also choose to work at an already established acupuncture practice and gain experience from there. These practices normally pay nicely and you also don’t need to worry about any kinds of overhead costs. There are many such establishments throughout the country, therefore finding a job might be simpler than you think.

Conclusion

These were some things that you should know about the Master’s degree in acupuncture and its benefits. Contrary to popular belief, acupuncture is no longer a primitive art and field, instead, it is being given a lot of recognition in the world. Professional acupuncturists are high in demand and if you have earned a four year degree then it might be possible for you to get a decent job. If you are interested in acupuncture then you should get the degree as there are a lot of benefits that you can avail.

Nov62018

Acupuncture: How You Can Become A Professional?

There’s a lot of popular Chinese medicines

Who knew that traditional Chinese medicine would gain such popularity all of a sudden? Well, the truth is that since its inception and introduction in the United States it has always been gaining attention. However, the rise in popularity of Acupuncture has been very significant in the past five to ten years. It is estimated that around six percent of Americans have at least tried acupuncture once in their lives so far and this number keeps increasing as the days go by.

This rise in its popularity is getting people interested in learning the art and practicing it as a full-time professional. Since there are so many people looking for such professional acupuncture services, it has given birth to a whole new industry and opportunity for young aspiring individuals to earn a living practicing the art of Acupuncture. So, at this point, you are probably wondering where you learn acupuncturing and what it takes to become a certified and properly trained acupuncturist. In the following paragraphs, we will guide you towards the steps that you will have to take in order become an acupuncturist.

What Do Acupuncturists Do?

There are various different ways to administer acupuncture procedures. It varies depending on the equipment and also the nature of the problem that you intend to treat by it. In any case, an acupuncturist is supposed to diagnose their patients and understand the nature of the problem that they are facing. Once they have a proper understanding into the issues of the patient and his underlying condition, the acupuncturist selects a specific location on the body to apply the acupuncture technique in order to relieve the patient of his ailment.

It is a highly professional procedure and requires accurate diagnosis on the part of the acupuncturist because a faulty analysis might lead him to apply the technique at a wrong position on the body. There are proper institutes and educational establishments which will teach you the finer details and applications of acupuncturing so that you can learn it in line with the best practices of the industry.

Where Do I Start Learning Acupuncturing?

Learning the basics of acupuncture

In the United States, the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) is responsible for the management and accreditation of educational institutes teaching acupuncture across the country.

As a student, you should look for an educational institute that is accredited by this body.

It is safe to study acupuncture at an institute that is accredited by it, and it will be recognized country-wide.

The ACAOM has the complete backing of the US Department of Education which recognizes it as an established authority in this discipline.

Acupuncture is a field which is open to students and professionals from various backgrounds. Anyone can apply and learn. However, students are required to first earn a bachelor’s degree or at least study for two years before. In brief, this field is not just limited to individuals with a background in medicine but is rather open to all.

What Courses Will You Have To Study?

The courses taught at acupuncture institutes cover various aspects of this profession. It helps shape up students for what is to come and enables them to learn the art at a very intricate level. This is clearly highlighted in the list of courses that students have to study in order to complete the program.

As a student, you will have to study courses like Oriental herbal studies, biomedical clinical sciences, Oriental medical theory, integrated acupuncture and a host of other diverse subjects. Upon successfully passing all the courses you will earn a master’s degree at the end of the program which will allow you to start practice in almost every state in the US.

Licensing And Certification

Lastly, you should bear in mind that there only six states across the US which do not require acupuncturists to obtain a license prior to practice. As for the rest of the country, you will have to clear the certification program offered by NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). Once you are licensed and certified by the mentioned body, you are free to start acupuncture practice in your state. Please note that an acupuncturist certified in one state does not necessarily have the legal right to practice it in another state.