Acupuncture School and Careers
Learn About Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine - Find Acupuncture Schools
Learn About Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine - Find Acupuncture Schools
| | Acupuncture is a procedure adapted from Chinese medicine that treats illness and provides anesthesia by the insertion of needles at specific points in the body. This special technique of inserting and manipulating fine needles into the body's meridians, or vessels of energies, along which "Qi" or vital energy flows is an ancient healing therapeutic practice. |
Oriental and Chinese Medicine Overview
Oriental medicine is a comprehensive system of health care with a clinical history of more than 3000 years. Oriental medicine includes acupuncture, Chinese herbology and bodywork, dietary therapy and exercise based on traditional Oriental medicine principles. These therapies work with the natural vital energy inherent within all living things to promote the body's ability to heal itself. This system of health care is used extensively in Asia and is rapidly growing in popularity in the West.
How does Oriental and Chinese medicine work?
Oriental medicine is based on an energetic model rather than the biochemical model of Western medicine. The ancient Chinese recognized a vital energy behind all life forms and life processes. They called this energy Qi (pronounced chee). In developing an understanding of the prevention and cure of disease, healing practitioners discovered that energy flows along specific pathways called meridians. Each pathway is associated with a particular physiological system and internal organ. Disease arises due to a deficiency or imbalance of energy in the meridians and their associated physiological systems. Acupuncture points are specific sites along the meridians. Each point has a predictable effect upon the vital energy passing through it. Modern science has measured the electrical charge at these points, corroborating the locations of meridians. Traditional Oriental Medicine uses an intricate system of pulse and tongue diagnosis, palpation of points and meridians, medical history and other signs and symptoms to create a composite diagnosis. A treatment plan is then formulated to induce the body to a balanced state of health.
Many conditions may be alleviated very rapidly by acupuncture and Oriental medicine. However, some conditions that have developed over a course of years will be relieved only with slow, steady progress. As in any form of healing, the patient's attitude, diet, determination and lifestyle will affect the outcome of a course of treatment. Patients are encouraged to actively participate in their healing process. Although Oriental medicine can treat most conditions, there are circumstances that can be dealt with more effectively by Western medicine. In such cases, your acupuncturist will recommend you contact a Western medical doctor. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine should be seen as complementary to Western medicine.
Conditions That Acupuncture Treats
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture and traditional Oriental medicine's ability to treat more than 43 common disorders including:
- Gastrointestinal disorders, such as food allergies, peptic ulcer, chronic diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastrointestinal weakness, anorexia and gastritis;
- Urogenital disorders, including stress incontinence, urinary tract infections and sexual dysfunction;
- Gynecological disorders, such as irregular, heavy, or painful menstruation, infertility in women and men, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS);
- Respiratory disorders, such as emphysema, sinusitis, asthma, allergies and bronchitis;
- Disorders of the bones, muscles, joints and nervous system, such as arthritis, migraine headaches, neuralgia, insomnia, dizziness and low back, neck and shoulder pain;
- Circulatory disorders, such as hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis and anemia;
- Emotional and psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety;
- Addictions, such as alcohol, nicotine and drugs;
- Eye, ear, nose and throat disorders;
- Supportive therapy for other chronic and painful debilitating disorders.
Is Acupuncture Safe? Is it Painful?
In the hands of a comprehensively trained acupuncturist, your safety is assured. Acupuncture needles are sterile and are either disposable or autoclaved between treatments. If you have a preference, you should discuss the type of needles to be used with your practitioner.
Undergoing an acupuncture treatment bears no resemblance to the feeling of receiving an injection, since the main source of pain from injections is the larger diameter, hollow needle and the medication being forced into the tissue by pressure. Acupuncture needles are very fine and flexible, about the diameter of a human hair. In most cases, insertion by a skilled practitioner is performed without discomfort. You may experience a sense of heaviness or electricity in the area of insertion. Most patients find the treatments very relaxing and many fall asleep during treatment. In some cases, your practitioner may also recommend herbs, or dietary, exercise or lifestyle changes.
Where can I get training?
- Arizona
Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA) - Phoenix- Asian Institute of Medical Studies - Tucson
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- Arkansas
- Kansas College of Chinese Medicine - Training in Wichita, KS
- California
- Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College - Berkeley
- Samra University of Oriental Medicine - Los Angeles
- Southern California University School of Oriental Medicine & Acupuncture - Los Angeles
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Los Angeles
- Academy of Chinese Culture & Health Sciences - Oakland
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, San Diego - San Diego
- American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - San Francisco
- Five Branches Institute - San Jose
- Five Branches Institute - Santa Cruz
- Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine - Santa Monica
- Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA) - Training in Phoenix, AZ
- Kansas College of Chinese Medicine - Training in Wichita, KS
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Whittier
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- Canada - British Columbia
- Pacific Rim College - Victoria
- Canada - Manitoba
- Ongiara College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion - Training in Ontario, Canada
- Canada - Ontario
- Ongiara College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion - Fort Erie
- Institute of Traditional Medicine - Toronto
- Shiatsu School of Canada & SSC Acupuncture Institute - Toronto
- Toronto School of TCM - Toronto
- Kansas College of Chinese Medicine - Training in Wichita, KS
- School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine @ NYCC - Training in Seneca Falls, NY
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- China
- Five Branches Institute - Study Abroad
- Colorado
- Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Denver
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Louisville
- Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA) - Training in Phoenix, AZ
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- Connecticut
- University of Bridgeport Acupuncture Institute - Bridgeport
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Florida
- Academy for Five Element Acupuncture - Gainesville
- Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine - Gainesville
- Acupuncture & Massage College - Miami
- Florida College of Integrative Medicine - Orlando
- East West College of Natural Medicine - Sarasota
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Kansas College of Chinese Medicine - Training in Wichita, KS
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- Georgia
- Academy for Five Element Acupuncture - Training in Gainesville, FL
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Idaho
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Illinois
- Midwest College of Oriental Medicine - Chicago
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Chicago - Chicago
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Lombard
- Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA) - Training in Phoenix, AZ
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Indiana
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Iowa
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Kansas College of Chinese Medicine - Training in Wichita, KS
- Kansas
- Kansas College of Chinese Medicine - Wichita
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Louisiana
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- Maine
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Maryland
- Tai Sophia Institute - Master of Acupuncture Program - Laurel
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- Massachusetts
- New England School of Acupuncture - Newton
- Kansas College of Chinese Medicine - Training in Wichita, KS
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine @ NYCC - Training in Seneca Falls, NY
- Michigan
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Ongiara College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion - Training in Ontario, Canada
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Minnesota
- Northwestern Health Sciences University Acupuncture Program - Bloomington
- American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine - Roseville
- Ongiara College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion - Training in Ontario, Canada
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Missouri
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Kansas College of Chinese Medicine - Training in Wichita, KS
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Nebraska
- Kansas College of Chinese Medicine - Training in Wichita, KS
- Nevada
- Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA) - Training in Phoenix, AZ
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- New Jersey
- Dongguk Royal University - Los Angeles, CA
- Eastern School of Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine - Montclair
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine @ NYCC - Training in Seneca Falls, NY
- New Mexico
- Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA) - Training in Phoenix, AZ
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- New York
- Dongguk Royal University - Los Angeles, CA
- New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Mineola, Long Island
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, New York - New York
- Tri-State College of Acupuncture - New York
- School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine @ NYCC - Seneca Falls
- New York College of Health Professions - Syosset Long Island
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Academy for Five Element Acupuncture - Training in Gainesville, FL
- Ongiara College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion - Training in Ontario, Canada
- Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA) - Training in Phoenix, AZ
- Kansas College of Chinese Medicine - Training in Wichita, KS
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- North Carolina
- Academy for Five Element Acupuncture - Training in Gainesville, FL
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine @ NYCC - Training in Seneca Falls, NY
- Ohio
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Ongiara College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion - Training in Ontario, Canada
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine @ NYCC - Training in Seneca Falls, NY
- Oklahoma
- Kansas College of Chinese Medicine - Training in Wichita, KS
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Oregon
- Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA) - Training in Phoenix, AZ
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- Pennsylvania
- Won Institute of Graduate Studies - Glenside (Philadelphia Metro Area)
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine @ NYCC - Training in Seneca Falls, NY
- South Carolina
- Academy for Five Element Acupuncture - Training in Gainesville, FL
- Tennessee
- Academy for Five Element Acupuncture - Training in Gainesville, FL
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Texas
- Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin - Austin
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Austin
- ATI Career Training Center - Dallas/Fort Worth
- American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Houston
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Austin, TX
- Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA) - Training in Phoenix, AZ
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- Utah
- Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA) - Training in Phoenix, AZ
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- Virginia
- Dongguk Royal University - Los Angeles, CA
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Washington
- Bastyr University - Acupuncture Program - Kenmore
- Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA) - Training in Phoenix, AZ
- Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Located in Austin, TX
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
- Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture - Training in Louisville, CO
- College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Whittier, CA
- Wisconsin
- Midwest College of Oriental Medicine - Racine
- National University of Health Sciences - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine - Training in Chicago, IL
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Training in Los Angeles, CA
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