PROFESSIONAL SERIES | Garden of Healing | Acupuncture

 

 

Career Opportunities for Acupuncture Professionals are on the Rise in the United States

As Acupuncture becomes more common in Western medicine, there will be more jobs for trained people.

By M. Zuleger-Thyss

 

 

 

During the past 40 years, Acupuncture, a therapeutic technique, or component of Chinese medicine, has become more popular, evolving into one of the most utilized forms of complementary medicine in the United States.

 

  

According to the World Health Organization, Acupuncture is used in roughly 103 countries worldwide. Moreover, it has become increasingly available in many Western healthcare systems, wherein doctors work together as a team with Acupuncturists.

Many people often equate the practice of Acupuncture with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), but this is not entirely true. While Acupuncture is the most often practiced component of traditional Chinese medicine, it is simply that—a component, an essential piece of a much larger puzzle. Traditional Chinese medicine encompasses several methods to help patients achieve and maintain health.

The fields of Acupuncture and TCM will see sustained job growth as traditional Chinese medicine becomes more recognized by the average consumer. Career opportunities in Acupuncture continue to expand in variety.

In 2012, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 6.4 percent of U.S. adults reported using Acupuncture. The National Health Interview Survey showed a 50 percent increase in Acupuncture users between 2002 and 2012.

Statistically, well over 10 million Acupuncture treatments are administered annually in the United States alone. Its rise in popularity can be attributed to its effectiveness in pain relief and to the fact that scientific studies have begun to prove its efficacy.

 

Acupuncturists are now seen as essential members of patient care teams because they focus on treating the whole patient. Graduates of the many Acupuncture schools have gone on to meaningful and rewarding healthcare careers.

 

 

 

There are many career paths new graduates or young Acupuncturists can consider nowadays.

 

Private Practitioner | A Guide for New Acupuncturists

Many acupuncturists aim to open a private practice upon graduation from acupuncture school, yet most have no time to learn about starting a business.

There are many factors that lead new acupuncturists to become entrepreneurs and solopreneurs.

Advantages of private practice include shaping the style of services most suited to your interests or your community’s needs and incorporating herbal medicine into your treatments.

 

 

Associate Acupuncturist

Another great option is to seek a position at an established acupuncture clinic looking to expand its services. When waiting lists get six to nine months long for new patients and six weeks for follow-up appointments for current patients, it’s time to hire an associate acupuncturist.

Busy practices hire associate acupuncturists who earn a salary or a portion of the clinic’s earnings. Hire someone with experience, an associate acupuncturist who has had their own business for many years.

Advertisements in an acupuncture school’s Career Opportunity Database and other online resources are available. An excellent place to look for an associate. Many professionals find associate positions through word-of-mouth.

One alternative is to rent space from a busy practice, which often allows new practitioners to share costs for office management and benefit from referrals.

 

Hospital Acupuncturist

In addition to its widespread use in private clinics, many conventional medical institutions employ acupuncturists, including hospitals, community health centers, and doctor’s offices.

This popularity reflects Acupuncture’s excellent efficacy and safety profile and its increasing acceptance by doctors and administrators.

Acupuncturists can work in the integrative medicine programs or pain clinics of some of the country’s top hospitals. These programs incorporate Acupuncture with other modalities like yoga, massage, stress reduction, and nutrition.

This option allows you to work in a dynamic setting with multiple health professionals with diverse educational backgrounds, collaborating with patients, loved ones, caregivers, and local communities. 

 

 

 

Herbal medicine has been the medicine of necessity and choice since the beginning of history. About 80% of our planet’s population still actively uses herbal medicine as its foremost source of health care.

With the remarkable abilities of herbal medicines to nourish Yin and increase QI, why aren’t more acupuncturists using herbal medicine in their practices?

  

Integrative Healthcare Clinic Practitioner

Integrative healthcare clinics are becoming a popular new health service model nationwide. In an integrative clinic, acupuncturists can work with other practitioners such as chiropractors, naturopaths, nutritionists, psychologists, and physical therapists.

This patient-centered approach facilitates access. Patients can go to a single location to obtain care. Practitioners can share patient records to ensure collaborative care.

Working cooperatively, these integrative practitioners can share practice costs and approach patient care from a teamwork perspective.

 

Acupuncture | Becoming a Teacher of Traditional Chinese Medicine

As the acupuncture field grows, so does the need for passionate teachers. More than 50 acupuncture schools in the United States allow graduates to share their passion by teaching. 

Teachers must be fully trained practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Some have different educational and professional backgrounds, having also had different routes into the profession.

While a master’s degree is required to seek licensure as an acupuncturist, many traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) schools also offer doctoral degrees. These programs are designed to add clinical specialty training and provide an avenue to obtain prestigious teaching jobs at the nation’s top schools.

A teaching environment can also help you find a future position conducting research in Acupuncture.

 

 

 

Professional Researcher in Acupuncture

As research funding expands for studies on Acupuncture's role in pain management, more acupuncturists are participating in or conducting research.

Unlike non-profits, foundations that give individuals research grants have criteria. Yet grant money is growing to support research on Acupuncture's contribution to addressing the current opioid crisis.

In basic biomedical research, scientists explore mechanisms behind the formation and function of living organisms. Basic scientists' study area spans from small single molecules to large complex integrated functions in animals and humans. 

Basic science studies are often used to examine the mechanisms behind physiological changes.

Basic scientists have earned a master's in science MS or doctoral degree Ph.D. in their study area. Some have dual clinical degrees, such as MD or RN/NP.

In some university schools of medicine, scientists engage in basic science research using Acupuncture to drive biomedical changes that they can study in their labs.

When applying for research grants, a few key elements need to be included in the proposal to ensure acceptance. It is best to demonstrate the gift will be put toward good use for acupuncture research that is necessary to the medical community. 

 

 

 

 

Summary, Acupuncture is becoming more popular in the U.S.

Opportunities for careers in Acupuncture are on the rise in the United States, and as it becomes more common in Western medicine, there will be more jobs for trained people.

During the past 40 years, Acupuncture has become more popular, evolving into one of the most utilized forms of complementary medicine in the United States.

Many people often equate the practice of Acupuncture with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), but this is not entirely true. While Acupuncture is the most often practiced component of traditional Chinese medicine, it is simply that—a component, an essential piece of a much larger puzzle.

The fields of Acupuncture and TCM will see sustained job growth as traditional Chinese medicine becomes more recognized by the average consumer.

Many Acupuncturists aim to open a private practice upon graduation, while others work in the integrative medicine programs or pain clinics of some of the country's top hospitals.

While a master's degree is required to seek licensure as an Acupuncturist, many traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) schools also offer doctoral degrees.

As research funding expands for studies on Acupuncture's role in pain management, more Acupuncturists are participating in or conducting research. 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SERIES | Acupuncture

This content is intended for healthcare professionals who frequent Garden of Healing dot com.

 

Resources for Acupuncturists

Acupuncture.com

Acupuncture Today

Acupuncture Society of Massachusetts

AAAOM (American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine)

AAMA (American Academy of Medical Acupuncture)

ACAOM (Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine)

CCAOM (Council of Colleges for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine)

NCCIH (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

NCCAOM (National Certification Committee of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine)

American Acupuncture Council

NQA (National Qigong Association)

 

 

 

 

 

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