Acupuncture Career and School Resource Center
Learn About Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Careers and Education
Learn About Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Careers and Education
Find Acupuncture Schools | Natural Healers Career Resource Center
Get the facts about the field of acupuncture and alternative medicine to decide whether it's a good career fit for you...
| | Acupuncture is a procedure adapted from Chinese medicine that treats illness and provides anesthesia by the insertion of needles at specific points in the body. This special technique of inserting and manipulating fine needles into the body's meridians, or vessels of energies—along which vital energy flows—is an ancient healing and therapeutic practice. Although acupuncture is an ancient medicine technique, it has become popular mainstream, making it a promising career choice. Read the sections below to learn more about acupuncture careers and schools to determine whether it's the right career choice for you. |
Acupuncture Career Opportunities
The field of acupuncture has become increasingly popular. If you are interested in becoming an acupuncturist, you can gain insight into this intriguing profession by reading the Oriental and Chinese Medicine sections below. Here are some other helpful acupuncture career and education articles to help you decide whether acupuncture is part of your career Zen:
Acupuncture School and Career Information
- Acupuncture Careers and Training – Get an acupuncture career overview as well as school and salary information.
- Acupuncture School and Licensing Overview – Get acupuncture school, certification, licensure and state regulation information.
- Top 10 Tips for Choosing and Acupuncture College – Get some helpful tips to help you choose the right acupuncture school for you.
- Acupuncture and The Wellness Boom – Learn how acupuncture's history has shaped the booming profession it has become today.
- State-by-State Acupuncture Licensure Requirements – Get acupuncture state board and school contact information.
- Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Health Benefits – Learn about acupuncture's health beneifits.
So if you enjoy the natural healing arts and are interested in Oriental Medicine's ancient healing art, acupuncture may be just the profession for you. Begin your journey to helping clients reach improved health and well-being and find the acupuncture school that's right for you.
More About Acupuncture, Oriental and Chinese Medicine
Oriental medicine is a comprehensive system of health care with a clinical history of more than 3,000 years. Here are the branches within Oriental medicine:
- Acupuncture
- Chinese herbology and bodywork
- Dietary therapy and exercise
These therapies work with the natural vital energy inherent within all living things to promote the body's ability to heal itself. This system of health care is used extensively in Asia, but is rapidly growing in popularity in the West, which is why today is a good time to become an acupuncturist.
How does Oriental and Chinese medicine work?
| | Oriental medicine is based on an energetic model, rather than the biochemical model of Western medicine. The ancient Chinese recognized a vital energy behind all life forms and life processes. This energy is called "Qi," pronounced "Chi." In developing an understanding of the prevention and cure of disease, healing practitioners discovered that energy flows along specific pathways, |
Acupuncture's Role In Oriental and Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture points are specific sites along the meridians—each point has a predictable effect upon the vital energy passing through it. Modern science has measured the electrical charge at these points, corroborating the locations of meridians. Traditional Oriental Medicine uses an intricate system of pulse and tongue diagnosis, palpation of points and meridians, medical history and other signs and symptoms to create a composite diagnosis. A treatment plan is then formulated to induce the body to a balanced state of health.
Many conditions may be alleviated very rapidly by acupuncture and Oriental medicine. However, some conditions that have developed over a course of years will be relieved only with slow, steady progress. As in any form of healing, the patient's attitude, diet, determination and lifestyle will affect the outcome of a course of treatment.
Conditions That Acupuncture Treats
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture and traditional Oriental medicine's ability to treat more than 43 common disorders, including some of the following:
- Gastrointestinal disorders, such as food allergies, peptic ulcer, chronic diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastrointestinal weakness, anorexia and gastritis
- Urogenital disorders, including stress incontinence, urinary tract infections and sexual dysfunction
- Gynecological disorders, such as irregular, heavy, or painful menstruation, infertility in women and men, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Respiratory disorders, such as emphysema, sinusitis, asthma, allergies and bronchitis
- Disorders of the bones, muscles, joints and nervous system, such as arthritis, migraine headaches, neuralgia, insomnia, dizziness and low back, neck and shoulder pain
- Circulatory disorders, such as hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis and anemia
- Emotional and psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety
- Addictions, such as alcohol, nicotine and drugs
- Eye, ear, nose and throat disorders
- Supportive therapy, for other chronic and painful debilitating disorders
While acupuncture has tremendous healing abilities, it is often used in conjunction with Western medicine treatments to provide patients with a good balance of both forms healing.
Learn more about acupuncture careers and whether your 'needle in a haystack' career actually involves needles.
Where can I get training?
- Arizona
Five Branches University - A campus in San Jose, CA- Asian Institute of Medical Studies - Tucson
- Five Branches University - A campus in Santa Cruz, CA
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- California
- Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College - Berkeley
- Donggkuk University Los Angeles - Los Angeles
- Samra University of Oriental Medicine - Los Angeles
- Southern California University School of Oriental Medicine & Acupuncture - Los Angeles
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Los Angeles
- Academy of Chinese Culture & Health Sciences - Oakland
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, San Diego - San Diego
- American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - San Francisco
- Five Branches University - San Jose
- Five Branches University - Santa Cruz
- Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine - Santa Monica
- University of East-West Medicine - Sunnyvale
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Whittier
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Oregon College of Oriental Medicine - Training in Portland, OR
- Canada - Alberta
- Canadian Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CITCM) - Calgary
- Canada - Ontario
- Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine of New York Chiropractic College - Training in Seneca Falls, NY
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- China
- American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Study Abroad
- Five Branches University - Study Abroad
- Colorado
- Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Denver
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Louisville
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- Connecticut
- New England School of Acupuncture -
- University of Bridgeport Acupuncture Institute - Bridgeport
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Florida
- Five Branches University - A campus in San Jose, CA
- Academy for Five Element Acupuncture - Gainesville
- Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine - Gainesville
- Acupuncture & Massage College - Miami
- Florida College of Integrative Medicine - Orlando
- East West College of Natural Medicine - Sarasota
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Five Branches University - A campus in Santa Cruz, CA
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- Oregon College of Oriental Medicine - Training in Portland, OR
- Georgia
- Academy for Five Element Acupuncture - Training in Gainesville, FL
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Idaho
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- Illinois
- Midwest College of Oriental Medicine - Chicago
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Chicago - Chicago
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Lombard
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Oregon College of Oriental Medicine - Training in Portland, OR
- Indiana
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Iowa
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Kansas
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Louisiana
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- Maine
- New England School of Acupuncture -
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Maryland
- Tai Sophia Institute - Master of Acupuncture Program - Laurel
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- Massachusetts
- New England School of Acupuncture - Newton
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine of New York Chiropractic College - Training in Seneca Falls, NY
- Michigan
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Minnesota
- Northwestern Health Sciences University Acupuncture Program - Bloomington
- American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine - Roseville
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Missouri
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Nevada
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- New Hampshire
- New England School of Acupuncture -
- New Jersey
- Eastern School of Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine - Montclair
- Donggkuk University Los Angeles - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine of New York Chiropractic College - Training in Seneca Falls, NY
- New Mexico
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- New York
- Five Branches University - A campus in San Jose, CA
- New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Mineola, Long Island
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, New York - New York
- Tri-State College of Acupuncture - New York
- Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine of New York Chiropractic College - Seneca Falls
- New York College of Health Professions - Syosset Long Island
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Five Branches University - A campus in Santa Cruz, CA
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Academy for Five Element Acupuncture - Training in Gainesville, FL
- Donggkuk University Los Angeles - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- North Carolina
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Academy for Five Element Acupuncture - Training in Gainesville, FL
- Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine of New York Chiropractic College - Training in Seneca Falls, NY
- Ohio
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine of New York Chiropractic College - Training in Seneca Falls, NY
- Oklahoma
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Oregon
- Five Branches University - A campus in San Jose, CA
- Oregon College of Oriental Medicine - Portland
- Five Branches University - A campus in Santa Cruz, CA
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- Pennsylvania
- Won Institute of Graduate Studies - Glenside (Philadelphia Metro Area)
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine of New York Chiropractic College - Training in Seneca Falls, NY
- South Carolina
- Academy for Five Element Acupuncture - Training in Gainesville, FL
- Tennessee
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Academy for Five Element Acupuncture - Training in Gainesville, FL
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Texas
- Five Branches University - A campus in San Jose, CA
- Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin - Austin
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Austin
- ATI Career Training Center - Dallas/Fort Worth
- American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Houston
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Austin, TX
- Five Branches University - A campus in Santa Cruz, CA
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- Utah
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- Virginia
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Donggkuk University Los Angeles - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Washington
- Five Branches University - A campus in San Jose, CA
- Bastyr University - Acupuncture Program - Kenmore
- Five Branches University - A campus in Santa Cruz, CA
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- Oregon College of Oriental Medicine - Training in Portland, OR
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- Wisconsin
- Midwest College of Oriental Medicine - Racine
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
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