subject: How to Complete Acupuncture Career Training [print this page] How to Complete Acupuncture Career Training
The field of acupuncture is continually growing in popularity due to its pursuit of healing different ailments in a non-invasive way. Many holistic schools offer training, allowing students to pursue a career. To step into a career as an acupuncturist, students need to follow the industry's standard requirements on how to complete acupuncture career training.
Before entering education students should fully understand what acupuncture is and what the field focuses on as a whole. The ultimate goal is to relieve pain and promote health by increasing energy flow in the body. To do this fine needles are placed into the body in specific patterns and depths to endorse natural healing defenses. This basic definition gives students an idea of what they will learn inside a degree program. Acupuncture education cannot be entered until undergraduate training is gained. The only programs available to students are at the master's and doctoral level of education.
In order to successfully be admitted into an acupuncture program, student's need to first obtain a bachelor's degree. With no acupuncture programs existing at this level of education, students are typically required to complete training in a wellness-based or science related area. The focus on science gives students the needed foundational concepts in key areas to prepare them for the course subjects inside a master's degree program.
The completion of training is reached when students graduate from a master's degree program. Students dive into learning about the origins of the practice as well as the therapeutic procedures used in traditional Chinese medicine. Masters degree programs approximately take three to four years to complete depending on the college providing the program. In order to complete a program student's need to finish 2,500 hours of clinical practice and course time. Some common areas of study include:
Pressure Points
Meridian Pathways
Dermal and Neural Anatomy
Chinese Herbology
Pharmacology
Students learn how to access acupuncture points through their study of the human body. Points on a body also called meridians are believed to be the channels where energy flows through the body. The main focus is to learn how to successfully access these points to help patients heal from a variety of ailments. The needles are inserted so the patient feels a dull ache from the pressure. This ache maximizes energy flow, which is used to relieve pain in the body. Acupuncturists work with patients that need help with muscle disorders, emotional issues, respiratory disorders, addictions, and more. Further study can be pursued at the doctorate level.
Clinical practice and research is heavily focused on inside a doctoral degree program. Students work to understand Chinese medicine, pain management, and pathophysiology. Advanced training in holistic healing and herbal prescription are common areas of study. Education is designed to enhance student's knowledge so they can step into advanced positions in teaching, research, and clinical practice.
Career training starts at the undergraduate level. Students will fare better in a master's degree program if they have knowledge of foundational concepts in science. Students that complete accredited acupuncture training can step into a career as an acupuncturist. The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) can fully accredited programs that meet all criteria and offer a quality education.
DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised on HolisticJunction.com.
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