If you're just beginning to do some research you'll want to learn all you can abut acupuncture schools and find out how and where you can earn a certificate or degree in acupuncture. Also you'll want to know what it's like to work in the field. There is much to learn about this ancient practice.
A license may not be necessary to practice acupuncture in your state; get the facts on which states do require licensing. Besides becoming licensed you can also be certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. The practitioners with this certification can use the title Diplomate of Acupuncture of which the professional abbreviation is Dipl.Ac.
Education and training requirements can add up to between 2500 and 4000 credit hours. Also depending on the school you choose, you may be required to study herbal medicine or may be offered herbal courses as electives as part of the overall program. Schools with smaller classes tend to encourage greater discussion between students and teachers, and can foster improved learning.
First of all you'll want to see what the school and program options are in your home area. Acupuncture is just one part of traditional Chinese medicine so you'll want to opt for a school whose program emphasizes courses in traditional Chinese medicine. They may offer the science and the philosophy of acupuncture too.
You may want to choose a school that offers consultation services for all its graduates. These schools allow their graduates to consult with their instructors regarding the care of their patients. It's important to get a complete picture of all the treatments offered by school in order to acquire the skills that you'll need to be well-rounded as well as well-versed for your patients.
Before you commit to learning about any alternative medical practice or technique, be aware that many techniques have not been scientifically evaluated so do some research first so you know what to expect. And before you sign up you might want to buy or borrow the "Fundamentals of Chinese Acupuncture" by Andrew Ellis, Nigel Wiseman, and Ken Bosson. This basic textbook is used in many classrooms and will give you a good idea if you want to pursue a career in acupuncture. Another good one is: "The Foundations of Chinese Medicine" a comprehensive text for acupuncturists and herbalists by Maciocia.
If you visit a practitioner to learn more before you commit to a career, make sure to choose one who is licensed by an easily recognized, national professional association.
If you are looking for financial aid try contacting your local philanthropic organizations and health organizations to see if they have any scholarships available or know of any. Sometimes these organizations actually have some scholarship money left over. Ask if they'll accept an application for it. Talk to your financial aid officers at the school you're considering and see what suggestions they may have for the various grants, scholarships and federal aid available. They should be well-informed.
There is always federal money available for secondary education. Also it's not well known but there is also money set aside for online degree programs or distance learning programs. So you may want to check and see if your school has any of its classes available online and if so apply for these funds. There are good education loans and easy-to-get student loans available if you're unable to get full or partial grants or scholarships.
Internships take place in clinics or clinical settings, almost always in the third year of school. If you have a naturopathic school in your area, give them a call; they will undoubtedly know the licensing requirements for your area and may have the answers to some of your unanswered questions.
And once you're licensed or practicing acupuncture as a student-in-raining, never attempt to use it to treat potentially life-threatening symptoms such as extreme shortness of breath or any type of chest pain. You'll want to have these patients see their doctor. This field is a great career choice; especially with the growing acceptance it's been receiving over the past few years. There is always room for career growth potential in this field.
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By: nagalie | 22-07-2008
I am so grossed out, tired, and aggrivated. I need help. I need some feedback. To begin with, I'm an ultra clean person but I think I have lice. I am not sure. for a week now I have been itching like crazy but didn't find anything until today. I can never find anything at will. Nothing in the seems of my clothes. I only feel them. anyway, today I found on my arm ( think it fell from my head) what I now know looks like lice according to pictures i've seen. It had 6 legs was a transparent brown exept for the dark insides of its body. It was about the size of the period at the end of this sentence but a bit larger including it's legs...(Sooo sorry that you are getting this gross info but it's quite necessary for the process of identifying my problem.) Anyway, I am pretty sure it is lice but the question i want to ask now is what kind? If it is body lice it should be treated different from head lice I think. I know you can get rid of head lice with olive oil but body lice? Here are my symptoms... I am 90% sure I got this from my dog who was in some tall grass the other day. I saw her itching intensely but shes never had any bites before so I didnt think about it. I thought it was allergies and gave her a benedryl. THEN I started itching along with her. I know its not fleas. I don't think its scabies because my bites dont run in lines or around the webbing of my fingers. Not only that but scabies dont look like lice from what I know. Now, I can't tell if it is head or body lice because of this, they are both on my head and on my body. I even feel them in my eyelashes. I have them in my nether regions...and I've never had sex.lol I have bites that look like pimples all spread out on my legs...nether region...round my belly button, on my behind, back and neck. None on my chest or face thank God for that. But head lice are supposed to remain on the head for all I know and body lice on the body. I even feel itchy in my ears. I can barely sleep. Someone help me so I can search for a remedy pleeease. If you have a remedy for either please share it with me . Thanks
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manny will should face ricky hatton or nate campbell for a big money and for a history as a legend then retire, manny should not wait that somebody will took his place as a number 1 pound for pound.
manny pacquiao next fight
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By: 4anewu | 19-07-2008
Why does my mother keep such hostility going on between my sister and I? Are there numerous individuals who think the same? I have always believed you should never sit and settle for a thing. The world could be yours if you are prepared education is first, then job,marriage, house, oh yeah then kids. She judges me against my sister because I choose not to take advantage of the govenmental system nor get down on my hands and knees digging in the dirt to pull garden weeds. And adding my own roofing on my house, and fixing my own plumbing a screwing it up just to save a penny or two. She claims I can teach myself this way and save some money. I think you're wasting more money practicing instead of just hiring a professional with warranty.
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