Acupuncturist

Acupuncture has been around for several centuries with its origins in the Chinese culture.  Acupuncturists insert needles into points on the body that are said to have healing effects.  Most acupuncture is used to alleviate lower back pain, headaches, and neck pain.  The Chinese created acupuncture charts that show where the needles should be inserted to help alleviate the pain.  All though acupuncture is widely used in the Orient scientists are still hesitant to say that it is an effective method for treating certain issues.  The World Health Organization has reviewed the acupuncture information to define and characterize the acupuncture points.

Those who are interested in becoming acupuncturists need to attend an acupuncture school.  These schools are often linked with trade schools or massage therapy schools.  Attending an acupuncture school can be attended in the evening or during the day for whatever fits your schedule.  When attending an acupuncture school you will be taught the idea of meridians.  Meridians are planes on your body that the Chinese have found to center the acupuncture needles.  There are considered twelve medians on the body where an acupuncturist may apply the needles to help relieve pain.  Once the student understands the physiology of the patient as well as were the acupuncture points are located they will begin training.  This training will be completed on actual individuals with supervision.  Acupuncturists use stainless steel needles that are about .07to .20 mm thick.  These needles are disposable so that every patient is treated with safety

 Once an acupuncturist has been trained and completed acupuncture school they can either join an acupuncture clinic already in existence or begin their own.  Most acupuncture clinics are apart of massage therapy clinics to help draw in business for both schools of thought.  An acupuncture clinic may also offer heat therapy as part of the acupuncture therapy to relieve pain.  This heat therapy is referred to as moxibustion.  This is a warming of the acupuncture point rather than inserting a needle.  Depending upon the acupuncture school you train at you may use moxibustion before inserting the needle or as a different tool for relieving pain.

If you have an interest in learning acupuncture you will need to attend an acupuncture school and spend time in an acupuncture clinic to learn the acupuncture points on the body.  These acupuncture points were found by the Chinese and have been considered to help lower back pain, certain diseases, headaches, and neck pain.