If you're just venturing out now to try to learn how and where you can earn a certificate or degree in acupuncture and what it's like to work in the field, this article may help. Acupuncture has been practiced in China for 2,000 years or more it is thought and some say it's probably more like 3,000 years or so. Most of the states in the U.S. require students to complete a three to five year program from an accredited acupuncture school and then pass a state board exam in order to get licensed.
Schools may offer both the science and the philosophy of acupuncture too. It's important to get a comprehensive picture of all the treatments that are offered by the school in order to acquire the skills that you'll need to be well-rounded and well-versed for your patients. Also note that depending on the school, students may be required to study herbal medicine or may be offered herbal courses as electives, so make sure to ask.
First of all you if you don't know already, find out what the school and program options are in your home area. Check with the school you have in mind to make sure that you have a wide selection of study resources available so you have the necessary literature that is essential for a broad learning experience. You may want to opt for a school whose program places emphasis on courses in traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture is just one part of traditional Chinese medicine.
Choose a school that offers an extensive library that is focused on traditional Chinese medicine. For naturopathy schools that have acupuncture programs see the List of Accredited Natural Medicine Colleges in North America. The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) is the national accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education to accredit Master's-level programs in the acupuncture and Oriental medicine professions. You want to verify that the school you're considering has this accreditation. If there is a naturopathic school in your area, give them a call to find out the licensing requirements, if you're not sure.
So as mentioned, take a look at schools located in your home area first. It will greatly cut down your expenses if you can study close to home. The internships take place in acupuncture clinics or clinical settings, usually in the third year. One good textbook to look over in advance of your decision is: "The Foundations of Chinese Medicine" a comprehensive text for acupuncturists and herbalists.
If you need financial aid try getting in touch with local philanthropic organizations and health organizations to see if they know of any available scholarships or grants. Sometimes these organizations actually have scholarship money leftover from the previous year that is unused and will accept an application for it. They are usually glad to put it to use. It may take a small mailing or numerous calls though.
Talk to the financial aid officers at the school you'd like to attend and see what suggestions they have for getting any grants, scholarships and/or federal aid. There is always federal money available from the US government for education. Also there is money set aside for online degree programs or distance learning programs. Check and see if your school offers any of its classes online and if so then apply right away for these funds. There are education loans and student loans available if you are not able to get full or partial grants or scholarships.
You probably already know that acupuncture benefits are very effective in relieving or treating chronic muscle pain, stress, and PMS to name just a few symptoms. Remember you may not need a license to practice acupuncture in your state; so make sure get the facts first on which states do require licensing.
Once you've graduated from acupuncture school and licensed or practicing as a student-in-training, never attempt to use acupuncture to treat potentially life-threatening symptoms; these include extreme shortness of breath or chest pain. Instead refer these patients to their doctor for help. Hopefully some of these tips may cut down your research time.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Lice
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
Losing weight, not friends
By: Coast-to-Coast | 21-07-2008
If I have gained weight and want to lose it what is the best way for me to find support for that? If I can't just do what I want to do because I have others to think about and have to work with them too, then how do I motivate them to get active and stop eating so much? Do you find that your weight and motivation to watch your weight varies by what you are doing? Thanks for all the good answers, I really am not sure how this works, guess I will be finding out.
What is the link between autism and vaccines? what ...
By: vtoire | 21-07-2008
What is the link between autism and vaccines? what has changed in vaccines from 30 years ago?
Manny pacquiao next fight?
By: newsblogo | 19-07-2008
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
How does one get information from Ezra LeMarpeh in ...
By: countrieladi1220 | 19-07-2008
How does one get information from Ezra LeMarpeh in regard to their referral sevices? If I have Parkinson's Disease, will they tell me who to go to for the latest treatment and what it is?
"I never said I was better"
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.
Q&A Powered by:
Education 
| Posted: 15-01-2008 | Comments: 
