Explore Careers in Acupuncture in the United States and Canada. Don’t let needles scare you away from rewarding careers in acupuncture. According to the American Association of Oriental Medicine,
professional acupuncturists typically earn $40-$70 per session; but the monetary benefit is not the only reason why students might want to pursue careers in acupuncture…
Based on a unique system of healing and energy healing, acupuncture and Oriental medicine address the body holistically; treating the whole person and not just the symptoms. Though careers in acupuncture do involve specific needling techniques, the method of this system is not nearly as scary as it may sound. Using thin, hair-like needles, licensed acupuncturists insert these precision, healing instruments lightly beneath the skin along the meridians of the body. (*Meridian pathways are “energy channels.”) The philosophy of acupuncture is that when these meridians are stimulated, the flow of “Chi or “life force” is allowed to flow freely; removing blockages from the meridians (that may be affecting correlating organ systems).
But careers in acupuncture aren’t just about acupuncture…a matter of fact, almost all acupuncture programs teach future practitioners about various therapies that are facilitated as complementary medicine; in addition to acupuncture. Graduates of Oriental medicine programs, who have achieved careers in acupuncture provide complementary treatments like Chinese herbal medicine, acupressure/Shiatsu, Tuina (Chinese medical massage), and nutritional consulting to help in healing.
For students new to the field of alternative medicine, successful careers in acupuncture can be achieved through comprehensive training at one of several acupuncture and Oriental medicine schools and colleges throughout America. Core curricula is comprised of about 3,000 credit hours, and involves training and education in the history and philosophy of Oriental medicine, acupuncture, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Chinese herbal medicine, biosciences, anatomy, Tai Chi, Qigong, and clinical internship, among other subject matter. Upon successful completion of all prescribed courses, graduates must attain licensure to practice and to enter careers in acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
