Acupuncture is one facet of a larger discipline. It is a component of Chinese medicine, which includes regionally-focused herbology, bodywork and therapies based on traditional Asian medical principles. It is estimated that 25% of the Asian population uses acupuncture or one of its relatives.

Oriental medicine considers the body as energy rather than biochemical processes. It works on the premise that Qi (Chi) is vital energy that flows along meridians located in different areas of the body. When there is an imbalance or blockage in the meridians, illness occurs. Acupuncture works because it unblocks those meridians, allowing the Qi to once again flow unimpeded. There are a number of different types of acupuncture, each unique in its own way:

Chinese medicine has been in use for more than three millennia. It is a belief system in many parts of Asia, and has made the ideas of 'yin' and 'yang' popular around the world. In Chinese medicine, and particularly in acupuncture, the body has the natural capacity to heal itself, as long as its energy force (Qi) is allowed to flow unimpeded. In acupuncture, thin, metallic needles are manipulated either by hand or electrically to unblock the Qi. In the United States, acupuncture became popular in 1971, after a New York Times reporter covered the subject and brought it to nationwide attention.

The first visit to an acupuncturist involves more talking than anything else, as the practicioner wants to know the medical condition and history of his patient. In order to get a complete picture, he will ask for a family history and current medications. He will use pulse and tongue diagnosis in addition to palpation of points to make an accurate diagnosis. Once the information has been gathered, the acupuncturist will use hair-thin needles to unblock areas of the body that the practitioner believes to be blocked. Little or no pain should be expected.

Treatment may continue as necessary for days or weeks, depending on the severity and nature of the problem, and the attitude of the patient.

Since acupuncture is beginning to reach more acceptance among the medical community and those who use it, schooling requirements are becoming standardized and accepted as well. In the United States, students are usually expected to complete some formal schooling before beginning an acupuncture program, although how much schooling is required is very particular. Some states require students to complete 60 semester hours, others require a four year bachelor's degree. Many times, acupuncture training includes classes in CPR, Tai Chi, herbology, and ethics, along with more field-specific coursework such as acupressure and needling techniques. Before testing to become an acupuncturist, students must take anywhere from 1500-2500 hours of didactic study and up to 900 hours (12 months) of clinical training before taking the NCCAOM exam in acupuncture.

Although there are many students of acupuncture who have no prior knowledge in medicine or Chinese healing, many studying to become acupuncturists are physicians or in the process of becoming a doctor. Some states will not allow anyone else to study acupuncture, including Maine, New Hampshire, and New Jersey.

Degree/License offered : Master of Science in Acupuncture

Length of study : 2-4 years

Cost/Financial Aid : Costs vary widely from school to school. The current range is anywhere from $6,000-$12,000 per year for tuition, books and other necessary purchases. Those attending a school that is accredited by the ACAOM (Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) might be eligible for federal aid.

There have been a number of research attempts in recent years to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture including:

In 25 states, physicians are qualified to use acupuncture with their medical licenses. Other states require physicians to complete specific training in acupuncture, including some 300 or more hours of class work and clinical experience. Although most states now have statutes regulating the art of acupuncture, some states, such as Michigan and Kansas, currently only allow practitioners to work through the assistance of the Board of Medical Examiners. In addition, there are states that do not recognize acupuncturists as licensed medical practitioners, and in these states, acupuncturists will often work under the supervision of a licensed physician.

Average Salary/ Hourly Rate:

Depending on where they work, acupuncturists can make anywhere from $30,000 to over $100,000 per year. A large hospital will pay more than a non-profit organization. In terms of hourly pay, different areas of the country will vary in how much clients are willing to pay, but generally, a licensed acupuncturist can make between $75-$95/hour for initial visits, which are more intensive, and $50-$60/hour for follow-ups.

The state requirements in the USA for licensure:

The following is an outline of formal schooling and examination requirements for licensure in the various states. It does not provide complete information regarding eligibility requirements. For example, some states require applicants to graduate from an accredited college or fulfill an English language requirement. A few recognize apprenticeship as a route to licensure; most do not.

In 25 states, the practice of acupuncture is included within the scope of a physician's license, and thus no further restrictions are imposed. In contrast, 15 states require further training. To become members of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, physicians must complete 300 training hours, 2 years of clinical experience, and pass a two-part exam. Membership in AAMA has become the standard for determining state credentialing, hospital privileges, liability insurance, and third party
reimbursement. California, however, requires practitioners to complete a separate exam. About 40 states have instituted training standards for certification of non-physicians, though requirements differ greatly from state to state.

ALASKA

ARIZONA

ARKANSAS

CALIFORNIA

Additional California Information

For acupuncture, the schools in California conform to the standards set by the national accreditation body, ACAOM, that is recognized by the federal Department of Education. To be licensed, you must graduate from an accredited school and pass the national board exam. Unlike some states, California also requires additional hours of training in herbal medicine and the passing of an herbal medicine exam. The California schools all include this as part of their regular master's program.

In most cases, licensing of acupuncture is reciprocal -- i.e. if you're licensed in one state, you're licensed in all the states that license acupuncture. However, approximately 20 states do not license the profession and a few do not allow the independent practice of acupuncture. It's worth checking BEFORE you move. For the most accurate and up-to-date information concerning the laws governing acupuncture, the National Acupuncture Foundation publishes a book called "Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Laws." Most schools have a current copy available in their library or career counseling center.

COLORADO

CONNECTICUT

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

FLORIDA

HAWAII

ILLINOIS

IOWA

LOUISIANA

MAINE

MARYLAND

MASSACHUSETTS

MINNESOTA

MISSOURI

MONTANA

NEVADA

NEW HAMPSHIRE

NEW JERSEY

NEW MEXICO

NEW YORK

NORTH CAROLINA

OREGON

PENNSYLVANIA

RHODE ISLAND

SOUTH CAROLINA

TEXAS

UTAH

VERMONT

VIRGINIA

WASHINGTON

WEST VIRGINIA

WISCONSIN