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Acupuncturist

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Acupuncturist

Acupuncturist Career Details

Acupuncture is part of a 3000-year old system of traditional Chinese medicine, which believes that life energy (chi) flows along invisible channels in the body known as meridians. Acupuncturists use these channels to regulate their patients’ healing process and help restore their health.

Acupuncture involves stimulating carefully selected parts of the body, usually by inserting very fine stainless steel needles to anaesthetise, relieve pain and treat a wide variety of illnesses. Electro-acupuncture is a more recent introduction, using electrical energy to treat the correct parts of the body.

At the start of the treatment, acupuncturists begin by taking a detailed history from the patient including symptoms, past problems and lifestyle, as well as diet and emotional responses to situations. At this stage they will decide on a diagnosis, select the points to be treated, and insert the needles according to the level of stimulation required.

Acupuncturists can work with a wide variety of conditions including arthritis, back pain, circulatory problems and high blood pressure, migraines, depression, smoking and drug addictions.

Working Environment

There are usually no set working hours as acupuncturists have to be flexible to meet the needs of their patients.

Acupuncturists usually work indoors, either in a health clinic or therapeutic environment.

Acupuncturists may work from more than one base, for example, in a client's own home, so a driving licence may be an advantage.

Acupuncturist Related Skills

As an acupuncturist, you should:
  • be able to empathise with your patients' circumstances
  • have good communication and listening skills
  • have a logical approach to problem solving
  • have a genuine desire to help people
  • have a high level of self-knowledge and emotional stability
  • be able to detach yourself emotionally and maintain a professional relationship.

Acupuncturist Career Opportunities

Further Career Information

If you would like to know more about a career as an Acupuncturist related facts, statistics, articles and websites.

Career Steps

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Career Courses

Not quite qualified to be a Acupuncturist? Take a look at Training Acupuncturist courses, Undergraduate Acupuncturist courses, Adult learning Acupuncturist courses, our course browses or use our search form and find courses which will help you on your chosen career path.