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19+ Acupuncture Schools in the World | USA (Career, FAQs) | 2023
Acupuncture schools in the World have been continuously growing since the origination of acupuncture in the world and the United States.
The National Institutes of Health in the United States has issued a statement recommending acupuncture as a complementary medicine therapy.
In a study published in the American Medical Association Journal of Internal Medicine, acupuncture was found to be an effective treatment for chronic pain.
For the most part, Acupuncture is a sort of complementary medicine. Needle stimulation at specific locations on the body is a crucial component of this treatment method. More so, various ailments or pain can be alleviated by using this.
This article will give a detailed explanation of the acupuncture schools in the world, the acupuncture schools in the World, duration to get an acupuncture degree, and many more.
What does Acupuncture mean?
Acupuncture is a distinct approach that employs needle techniques to treat infection and promote health by stimulating certain body areas.
Acupuncture and related procedures re-establish equilibrium by redirecting energy flow, or qi (pronounced “chee”), throughout the body.
One of the safest and most well-researched complementary and alternative medicines, acupuncture has been used for two thousand years.
Acupuncture is also a part of a larger medicinal system that originated in ancient China. Sterile needles stimulate vital areas of the body in this procedure.
Inserting finely chosen needles at various acupuncture points on the skin is the most popular tool or technique for releasing the imprisoned energy flow.
Acupuncturists use a special needle technique to ensure the needles are inserted exactly where they should be. The Acupuncturist must be highly skilled to quickly and painlessly insert needles.
Acupuncturists use numerous ways after inserting the needle to get the desired effects. Flicking, Spinning, and Twisting are all examples of these techniques.
What is an Acupuncture Degree?
A Master’s degree in Acupuncture or Oriental Medicine is required to begin a career in Acupuncture, according to the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Master’s degrees in Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine, and Chinese Herbal Medicine require three and four years of full-time study.
An Acupuncture Master’s degree focuses on helping Acupuncture Degree holders get their licenses.
Acupuncture courses typically cover many topics and provide students with the hands-on experience needed to succeed in the industry.
However, students learn to care for patients while demonstrating expertise in traditional Chinese remedy techniques, establish remedy plans, patient assessment, and acupuncture techniques, and demonstrate professionalism in their care.
As part of their studies, students learn about acupuncture techniques, Chinese herbs, and how to mix Eastern and Western medical practicals.
An Acupuncture degree qualifies a person to work with patients as a healthcare professional.
Is Being An Acupuncturist A Good Career Path?
Being an acupuncturist can be a good career path for those passionate about alternative medicine and helping others.
It offers a chance to work in healthcare without going the traditional medical school route. However, its success as a career can depend on where you live (demand for acupuncture), how well you market yourself, and your dedication to continuous learning.
Like any profession, it has its pros and cons, so it’s essential to research and consider if it aligns with your personal interests and goals.
According to ibisworld.com, in the last five years, acupuncturists’ income has grown at a CAGR of 3.6%, and it is expected to reach $687.7 million in 2023.
Profit is expected to stay at 14.5%. Acupuncture’s growth shows how a traditional medical method can still be used.
How Long does it take to become an Acupuncturist?
Acupuncture certification typically takes three years of full-time study at most accredited acupuncture institutions.
To become a licensed acupuncturist, you’ll need at least 47 semester credits in Oriental medical theory, diagnosis, and treatment techniques in acupuncture and associated fields.
What is the Salary of an Acupuncturist?
According to the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, acupuncturists may expect to make an annual salary of $52,000 on average.
Acupuncturists with more experience reportedly make six-figure salaries, so this number is expected to rise. People who complete this program can use Western medical treatment methods to serve their communities.
Masters in acupuncture can work in individual practice or an organization or clinic, treating others with acupuncture.
How to Choose the Best Acupuncture School:
1. Examine all the Good Acupuncture Schools:
School climates differ widely. Some schools are inviting and professional, while others are not.
Remember that an Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree takes 3-4 years to finish. You’ll spend hundreds of hours with the same individuals at one school.
2. Examine Online Acupuncture Schools and Programs:
Start online research to determine if an acupuncture school or program is right for you. Visit the college’s website. You’ll learn about the school’s location, class schedules, accreditation, job placement, and tuition expenses.
3. Discover Your Acupuncturist Career Interests:
You must first assess your career interests and goals to find the best acupuncture school. What fascinates you about acupuncture? Do you have a favorite application or field of Oriental Medicine?
Want to learn more about how acupuncture impacts grey matter in the brain, or are you more interested in safe alternatives to conventional medicine?
What courses do you take to become an Acupuncturist?
This usually comprises lectures on the principles of Chinese medicine, diagnosis, and treatment methods connected to acupuncture.
Anatomy and physiology, nutrition, ethics, and practice management are examples of biological subjects that might also be included.
Examine the acupuncture program’s curriculum to understand better what you’ll be studying and how long it will take you to finish your degree. In addition, clinical experience and internships play a significant role.
What are the benefits of being an acupuncturist?
1. Becoming a healthcare professional:
A growing collection of scientific evidence supports acupuncture’s efficacy. For example, acupuncture “reduces pain and enhances mood,” according to experts at York University.
Acupuncturists can work with chiropractors, medical doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
Acupuncturists will have greater job chances as more hospitals, medical clinics, community clinics, hospices, and integrative care clinics hire them.
2. Advance your career in the booming natural healthcare industry:
Are you driven to aid others? Are you seeking a healthcare profession that aligns with your holistic health goals?
Become an acupuncturist if you want to help people heal naturally and treat imbalances in their bodies, minds, and spirits.
Opportunities as an acupuncturist will expand as non-pharmacological techniques for pain management and overall health improve.
The opioid problem transforms how healthcare practitioners think about and treat pain, which is wonderful for acupuncture.
3. Work in a range of settings:
Acupuncturists have many options. Open an acupuncture clinic or join an integrated healthcare practice that includes chiropractic, massage, and physical therapy.
Licensed acupuncturists can also deliver Chinese medicine and herbal consultations.
Read more: Acupuncture Degree (Meaning, Duration, Pros, Cost, Requirements)
Top 10 Acupuncture Schools in the United States | 2023:
1. Bastyr University:
Bastyr University is one of the best acupuncture schools in the United States.
Students studying acupuncture medicine at Bastyr University will be well-prepared to work alongside those in the field of conventional Western medicine thanks to the university’s all-encompassing approach.
Bastyr’s acupuncture and East Asian medicine programs are highly influenced by the contemporary paradigm of healthcare teaching and practice in China, where traditional Chinese medicine is combined with modern Western medicine.
Co-management of patients with Western medicine professionals will be taught to you as a student. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of traditional Chinese medicine and how to share your knowledge with patients and colleagues.
2. New York College of Health Professions:
The Graduate School of Oriental Medicine offers a master’s degree in Acupuncture at New York College.
Chinese and Japanese acupuncture techniques are taught along with traditional Chinese medical skills such as Asian bodywork, herbal medicine, and herbology.
The clinical internship and classes in yoga, tai chi, and qigong prepare you for a rewarding future in this sector.
You can also help your patients who suffer from high blood pressure and infertility. Along with herbology and Asian bodywork, students learn acupuncture techniques from China and Japan.
Along with the typical acupuncture clinical internship, these students also study the health and well-being disciplines of yoga, tai chi, and qigong.
It is one of the top acupuncture schools in the United States.
3. New England School of Acupuncture at MCPHS:
For more than four decades, the New England School of Acupuncture has been a pioneer in acupuncture teaching and training.
The first week of sessions includes hands-on clinical training, a blend of onsite and online instruction.
Acquire specializations in acupuncture and herbal medicine from China, the United States, Japan, and orthopedics from the Japanese.
An advanced degree in integrative healthcare, such as a Doctorate of Acupuncture (DAc), can help you advance your professional options.
Join a group of students and scholars committed to advancing healthcare reform. Orthopedics, Chinese, and Japanese acupuncture are just a few specializations available to students who can take classes in person or online.
As one of the top acupuncture schools in the United States, clinical courses, which begin during the first week of instruction and transport students to various healthcare facilities, are taught by licensed acupuncturists.
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4. University of Bridgeport:
At the University of Bridgeport’s Acupuncture Clinic, students can learn about traditional Chinese medicine in a cutting-edge setting. Pain and dysfunction can be successfully treated with acupuncture.
Acupuncture, manual treatment, dietary advice, physical exercise, and breathing techniques have all been part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
As a competent and reasonably priced treatment facility, the University of Bridgeport Acupuncture Clinic educates student interns in diagnosing and treating a wide range of health issues.
Acupuncture and other complementary therapies are the primary means through which patients have access to the wisdom of this ancient art form.
The University of Bridgeport is one of the best acupuncture schools in the United States.
5. National University of Health Sciences:
Master of Science in Acupuncture students at National University will learn how to integrate Eastern medicine with Western medicine in a comprehensive curriculum that includes instruction in acupuncture techniques.
A growing body of evidence supports the efficacy of acupuncture and eastern medicine in treating various ailments.
Acupuncturists are increasingly being hired by hospitals and other healthcare facilities to provide medical treatment and wellness initiatives.
Acupuncturists can also open their own business or work at pain management clinics, fertility clinics, weight loss, or addiction treatment centers.
To alleviate stress and slow down the aging process, acupuncture is now being offered at cosmetic and wellness facilities.
Apprentice-style learning and access to the university’s herbal dispensary are available to students throughout clinical training. Internships are also available in the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County and local clinics, for example.
NUHS is one of the best acupuncture schools in the United States.
6. Northwestern Health Sciences University:
As more people learn about the advantages of non-invasive and drug-free treatments, their numbers are growing. An increasing number of people are turning to acupuncture and Chinese medicine as alternative medicine.
Northwestern Health Sciences University students are placed at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field. You’ll learn about holistic health and how to use it to your advantage.
You’ll learn about the scientific basis as you study acupuncture and eastern medicine.
Make it your own by combining the best of both worlds: the old and the new. Within no time, you’ll earn the respect of your colleagues and the people you serve.
Students must complete 150 hours of observation or an assistantship and 525 hours of supervised clinical practice before getting their master’s degree.
In addition to the three additional shifts required by the program, doctoral applicants must complete this clinical requirement.
In the meantime, students learn about the history and concepts of Chinese medicine, nutrition and actual acupuncture procedures, in their courses.
It is one of the best acupuncture schools in the United States.
7. Pacific College of Health Science:
All three acupuncture degrees are offered at the Chicago campus: a Doctor of Acupuncture, an Acupuncture Doctor, and a Master of Science in Acupuncture.
Chinese medicine doctorate and master’s degree programs are available to students in San Diego, California. An acupuncture master’s degree program is available in New York.
As one of the best acupuncture schools in the world, students who already have a master’s degree in acupuncture can enroll in the Transitional Doctorate for Master’s Graduates program at any of the three sites and obtain either a Doctor of Acupuncture or a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, depending on their previous degree.
8. Maryland University of Integrative Health:
People have relied on traditional acupuncture and herbal therapy for more than two millennia to treat various ailments.
Many health issues can be effectively treated with these methods, and they offer various career options for those who are called to this rewarding job.
In 1985, MUIH became the first school in the country to be certified in the field of acupuncture.
Master’s and doctorate degrees in acupuncture and herbal medicine are available at MUIH, as well as a graduate certificate.
Acquiring clinical proficiency in acupuncture and becoming a highly trained integrative acupuncturist are the goals of the doctorate and master’s programs.
Students will be prepared for various future professional paths and goals by participating in a curriculum with its distinct characteristics.
The graduate certificate enhances an acupuncturist’s ability to employ herbal medicine.
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9. Texas Health and Science University:
Texas Health and Science University’s acupuncture program is in line with 95% of the Chinese curriculum and is one of the best acupuncture schools in the world.
Aside from studying concepts like the Golden Chamber and the Four Streams of Scholars, pupils learn about herbal medicine.
Acupuncture students are also taught about Western medicine to grasp better how acupuncturists and other practitioners work together in today’s healthcare system.
Students must complete a five-part exam before starting their clinical internship.
During this clinical experience, they engage with real patients, establish a treatment plan, and then put it into effect.
10. Virginia University of Integrative Medicine:
Both a Master of Science and two doctorates in acupuncture and Oriental medicine are available to individuals who want to pursue their education in this subject.
To graduate, students must complete hundreds of hours of clinical training in the classroom and on the job. Doctoral applicants must complete 600 to 1,752 hours of laboratory instruction depending on the degree.
In just three years, students can earn their master’s degree. It takes two years to complete the DAOM program and four years to complete the DAc degree.
Equipment used by an Acupuncturist:
- Needles
- Essential Oils
- Tools & Supplies
- Herbal & Nutritional Supplements
- Pellets & Press Needles
- Moxibustion
- Massage Products
- Sound & Vibration Therapy
- Cupping & Accessories
- Electrotherapy
Read more: (Fast) How to become a Pharmacy tech without going to school
Top 10 Acupuncture Schools in the World:
1. Oregon College of Oriental Medicine:
Established in 1983, OCOM is the oldest college of Oriental Medicine in America and is regarded as an institution of excellence in the field.
The School combines the best of both worlds: Classical philosophy and current practice.
Acupuncture research at the College has been going on for a long time. The OCOM provides a Master’s and a Doctorate degree program in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Medical acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Qi cultivation, and therapeutic massage are all thoroughly covered for acupuncture students.
OCOM is one of the best acupuncture schools in the World.
2. Emperor’s College School of Traditional Oriental Medicine:
Emperor’s College Acupuncture Clinic is the school’s teaching clinic and is available to the general public. The facility treats over 10,000 patients in a year and administers over 16,000 procedures.
With so many patients being seen, the college can keep the intern-to-patient ratio at one, giving interns the best opportunity to learn by doing in a clinical setting.
An experienced acupuncturist provides patient-centered health treatment for clinical interns.
In addition to routine treatment, long-term management of chronic illnesses, and preventive medicine, the teaching clinic provides a wide range of integrated and individualized therapies.
In addition, there is a herbal dispensary in the facility. As one of the best acupuncture schools in the world, interns have a wide range of opportunities to work at the dispensary and learn from Chinese medicine herbalists with decades of expertise.
3. American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are now taught at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM), one of CIIS’ four new institutions that opened in 2015.
ACTCM has been at the forefront of acupuncture and Chinese medicine education since its foundation in 1980, one of the oldest acupuncture and Chinese medicine institutions in the United States and the world.
Master’s degree programs in acupuncture and Chinese medicine offer practitioners a remarkable education.
At the same time, the clinics provide excellent practical training for students and cheap healthcare services to the San Francisco Bay Area residents.
ACTCM has also been recognized for its leadership in animal conservation and relationships with the WWF and the Save the Tiger Fund.
As a result, many of their academic and administrative staff members are currently participating in national leadership roles supporting acupuncture and Chinese medicine’s development as a professional.
4. Tri-State College of Acupuncture:
In 1979, the Tri-State College of Acupuncture was founded. The School is well-known for incorporating Eastern and Western acupuncture education approaches.
The college provides master’s degrees in acupuncture and oriental medicine and a certificate program in Chinese herbology.
As one of the best acupuncture schools in the world, the school acts as a public sponsor and collaborates with community health centers and hospitals to provide patients with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
5. Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine:
The School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine was established in 1994 to provide undergraduate and graduate programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine and a Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine degree.
The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has granted accreditation to the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine’s Master in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and Master in Acupuncture degree programs.
The Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine is located in Seattle, Washington; more so, it is one of the best acupuncture schools in the world.
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6. AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine:
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine education at AOMA are among the best in the country and in the world. This school’s good reputation helps students directly.
An international faculty, study abroad possibilities, student achievement, and a supportive community in a bustling city are just a few of the advantages of this university.
AOMA distinguishes itself from other traditional Chinese medicine schools by focusing on integrated healthcare (TCM).
First of its kind to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, AOMA was the first single-purpose Chinese medicine school to get regional accreditation. The quality of the school and its activities can be seen in this success.
An international team of world-class faculty members has been assembled to ensure that students at AOMA have a meaningful educational experience.
For the benefit of patients and communities, the faculty members are here to pass on their knowledge and expertise to future practitioners.
Programs in traditional Chinese medicine are available through the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Association (AOMA).
There are three-degree programs in acupuncture and Chinese medicine and certificate programs in traditional Chinese herbal medicine.
7. Five Branches University:
In addition to the main campus in Santa Cruz, the university has a San Jose branch. There are courses in TCM and Integrative Medicine at the university, which you may learn more about here.
Also available at the school is a Master of Acupuncture degree. It’s a rare chance for practicing doctors to get a doctorate in English and Chinese through the Online DTCM/DAC Bridge Program.
The curriculum was developed by a team of experts, including teachers and course designers, and adheres to the requirements of the profession’s accreditor, ACAOM, which promotes integrative treatment, systems-based medicine, and professional growth.
As one of the best acupuncture schools in the world, this on-demand format is for you if you’re an acupuncturist or Chinese medicine practitioner looking for a convenient, high-quality road to earning a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM) or Doctor of Acupuncture degree.
8. Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine:
With a focus on providing students with high-quality healthcare training, the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine opened its doors in 1994.
It is possible to earn a master’s or doctorate in Oriental Medicine at the Acupuncture School. The School also incorporates Eastern Medicine within its curriculum.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Acupuncture:
What is acupuncture used for?
Acupuncture is a medical procedure in which very fine needles are inserted into the body at certain locations. For centuries, acupuncture has been an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. As a whole-body wellness tool, it is increasingly used for stress management.
How quickly does acupuncture work?
It takes around 3-4 days for you to begin to feel the therapeutic effects of this product. If you are taking it for a short period and your problem is not chronic, you can take it once a week.
Can acupuncture go wrong?
Although no one has ever died due to improperly performed acupuncture in the US, there can be serious side effects if the needles are not used appropriately. A poorly placed needle, whether at an incorrect angle, too deep, or in the wrong region, increases the likelihood of the needle striking a nerve in the patient.
Can I shower after acupuncture?
To get the most out of your bodywork treatments, such as acupuncture and massage, you should refrain from showering or swimming for 12-24 hours. That way, the treatment may work its magic without being interrupted.
Can you take painkillers after acupuncture?
As acupuncture can cause pain, don’t freak out, but take some practical precautions like resting, applying red flower oil to the area, or taking painkillers if necessary.
Conclusion:
During treatment, incorrect needle placement can result in discomfort. Sterile needles are essential for avoiding the spread of illness.
As a result, acupuncture treatment from a skilled practitioner is essential. According to the FDA, good manufacturing procedures and single-use criteria of sterility are the same for acupuncture needles as for other medical devices.
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