| The traditional Chinese practice of acupuncture is | | | | practice. |
| gaining ground in America and is becoming one of the | | | | Acupuncture technician students will learn how to |
| fastest growing fields in alternative medicine. In the | | | | relieve pain for patients by using thin needles and |
| past two decades more and more doctors have | | | | inserting them into specific areas of the body where |
| been legitimizing the practice of acupuncture as real | | | | nerves, muscles, and connective tissue can be |
| medicine. A number of schools now have the | | | | stimulated. The stimulation increases blood flow and |
| accreditation to award degrees in this field and | | | | releases opioids and serotonin that alleviate pain |
| prepare students for the professional world. | | | | because those chemicals are the body's natural |
| The standard certificate programs have students | | | | painkillers. |
| stepping out into the work force after a typical three | | | | Along with the medical aspects of schooling students |
| to four year course load. Through the study of | | | | will learn about the practice based on its origins |
| acupuncture students will be taught how to correctly | | | | rooted in Chinese philosophy and beliefs. The origins |
| insert the needles, how to diagnose and assess a | | | | of acupuncture will show students that Chinese |
| patient's condition, learn massage techniques, and | | | | medicine explains that health is the product of a |
| how to identify acupuncture points and the organs | | | | harmonious balance of the complementary parts of |
| connected to them. Coursework will consist of | | | | yin and yang. This balance will be explored through |
| treatment principles, anatomy, physiology, meridians | | | | the hundreds of acupuncture points in the body as |
| and points, Chinese herbology, ethics, practice | | | | they relate to the Chinese belief that life force flows |
| management, and more. | | | | through pathways called meridians. These pathways |
| Through classes students will learn how to practice | | | | are how the life force and energy flow can be |
| medicine successfully using the three departments | | | | accessed. |
| based on a traditional Chinese hospital. Students will | | | | Acupuncturists typically work out an office relating to |
| use Chinese thinking to diagnose and apply the skills | | | | health care or one that solely relates to acupuncture. |
| of acupuncture, herbs, and Asian bodywork to treat | | | | Once a practice is established a solo practitioner |
| patients. Schooling will also provide comprehensive | | | | usually earns more than a salaried worker. An |
| practice in Western clinical skills that will support the | | | | average hourly wage for an acupuncturist is $15.48. |
| Chinese aspects of the therapy. These skills include | | | | With the continual increase in legitimacy of the |
| homeopathy, mind and body medicine, and | | | | practice, more acupuncture training programs opening |
| cranio-sacral therapy. | | | | that are dedicated to the therapy, and more |
| Prior to admission into masters degree programs for | | | | individuals who are seeking alternative, less invasive |
| acupuncture, students must have documented proof | | | | forms of health care the practice will continue to |
| that they have successfully completed at least 60 | | | | grow. This growth will provide a steady increase in |
| semester credits (90 quarter hours) at the | | | | job opportunities for individuals who successfully |
| baccalaureate-level. Tuition for the program will vary | | | | complete the course work. |
| depending on the school attended. The average price | | | | DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and |
| to obtain a master's in acupuncture ranges from | | | | may or may not depict precise methods, courses and |
| $38,000 to $45,000 upon completion from the | | | | or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) |
| program. These prices include the cost for | | | | that may or may not be advertised on |
| registration, books, and insurance for malpractice. | | | | Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved by |
| Upon completion of the course load students are | | | | Notice to Publishers: You may use this article on Ezine |
| required to pass the certification exam. The exam | | | | or on your Website; however, ALL links must remain |
| NCCAOM, once successfully completed, allows | | | | intact and active. Failure to retain links is expressly |
| students to enter the work force. Many schools are | | | | prohibited and violators will be prosecuted extensively |
| seeing a high percentage of graduates staying in | | | | by law. |