As medical acupuncture has become more and more popular over the years, governments have recognized it as a valuable form of medicine and are seeking ways to regulate it. If you're just starting out on your search, you want to learn how and where you can earn a certificate or degree in acupuncture and what it's like to work in the field.
First of all you want to find out what school and program options are in your local area. Take a look at the acupuncture schools in your home area first because it will significantly cut your expenses if you can study near home
Look for smaller classes because they encourage greater discussion between students and teachers, and can foster improved learning. One way to do this is to call the schools you're considering and speak to a recruiting counselor to find out what the student-to-teacher ratio is. Also check and see if the schools you're considering have a wide selection of study resources available to you, so you can have all the literature that is essential for a broad learning experience and one that offers an extensive library of materials focused on traditional Chinese medicine.
Choose an acupuncture school that offers individual consultation services for its graduates. Some schools let graduates consult with their instructors regarding the care of their patients, when necessary. California has many acupuncture schools to choose from, while Wisconsin, for example, has only one school and some states have none at all. You want to opt for a school whose program emphasizes courses in traditional Chinese medicine as well because acupuncture is one part of the field of traditional Chinese medicine.
Keep in mind that depending on the school you choose, students may be required to study herbal medicine or may be offered herbal courses as electives.
If you need financial aid or an education loan, first consider contacting your local organizations and health organizations to see if they know of any scholarships that might be available. You want to rule out scholarship availability first. Then find out about any education grants or acupuncture-related grants that might be offered by the federal government.
In order to qualify for federal assistance make sure you enroll in a school that's accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM.) This would be a good idea anyway even if you're not getting federal assistance. Economic burden can be considerably lessened with financial aid in the form of federal student loans but you don't want to get in over your head either.
You probably know that acupuncture is used for: arthritis, headaches, migraine headaches, quitting smoking, weight loss, fertility, fibromyalgia, depression, insomnia, face lifts, as in facial acupuncture, back pain, high blood pressure, pregnancy, cosmetic purposes, anxiety, Crohn's disease, asthma, dogs and in other animals as in veterinary acupuncture..
You should visit as many acupuncture clinics as possible to learn more about acupuncture. If you visit a licensed acupuncturist as a patient to learn more before you commit to acupuncture as a career, make sure to choose a practitioner who is licensed by a recognized national acupuncture organization.
Acupuncture programs in acupuncture schools can be expensive and usually require three years or so of coursework, some programs can take up to five years. One good textbook to review in advance of your decision is: "The Foundations of Chinese Medicine" a comprehensive text for acupuncturists and herbalists, by Maciocia.
Make sure to learn about your state's licensing requirements for acupuncturists as a first step. As an acupuncturist you have many options, you could choose to have a cosmetic acupuncture or facial acupuncture practice or even run a veterinary acupuncture clinic.
Once you become duly informed about acupuncture schools you'll be able to find the best program or school for you and start down the path to a rewarding acupuncturist career.
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