Acupuncturist

Acupuncturists treat a variety of physical and emotional problems by inserting fine needles into specific points under a person’s skin, to stimulate the energy flow in the body.

The Work

You could be:

• discussing your client’s lifestyle, exercise levels, diet and emotional problems


• taking a pulse by hand, or examining the coating on a tongue


• inserting fine needles into certain specific spots to treat a problem such as arthritis, eczema or addiction to smoking


• using the same techniques to apply a local anaesthetic during an operation


• using modern equipment such as electro-acupuncture or lasers


• using massage, or tapping with a rounded probe to treat small children or people with a fear of needles


• warming the acupuncture points with moxa, a smouldering herb


• advising on diet and exercise


• advising your client to see a doctor and keeping records of treatment.

Conditions

• You could work in a clinic, health centre or hospital.


• You might work from your own home or visit clients at their homes.


• You may have to travel.


• You may need to work evenings or weekends.

Getting In

• The BAcC website has a list of accredited courses at degree level or other levels.


• These are available in England but not in Scotland. A number of universities in England offer degree courses in acupuncture or traditional Chinese medicine.


• Entry requirements vary – usually 3-4 Highers including a science subject (200-300 UCAS tariff points) but some courses prefer you to have medical qualifications.


• If you are qualified in medicine or some other health care profession such as physiotherapy, you can take a special course to allow you to use acupuncture as well as conventional medicine.


• You need good colour vision for parts of the work.


• To work in this job in a hospital you must declare any criminal convictions. Certain types of conviction may prevent you from getting in. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details.

What Does It Take?

You should be:

• able to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds


• sensitive, understanding and sympathetic


• a good listener and communicator


• practical, careful and well organised


• logical and able to solve problems


• reliable and able to inspire confidence in patients


• good with your hands to use fine needles.

Training

• Once you have gained your qualification, training is on-the-job, with short courses to keep you up-to-date.


• Many acupuncturists go on to acquire additional skills in similar fields such as Chinese herbal medicine.


• The British Medical Acupuncture Society runs training courses for registered healthcare professionals. These include doctors, dentists, vets, nurses, physiotherapists, midwives and podiatrists. These courses assume a certain level of medical knowledge.

Getting On

• You might find work in the National Health Service (NHS) but most acupuncturists run their own businesses.


• With experience you might be able to increase the size of your business.


• You might train in more than one complementary therapy - perhaps in a related area such as Qi Gong.


• You might combine your work with teaching, research or journalism.


• It might help if you can move around the country.

Pay

Most acupuncturists work for themselves. They charge a fee for each session with the client. The better known they are, the more they can charge. Fees on average are about £40 to £49 an hour with regular patients sometimes getting special deals. Out of this income the acupuncturist has to buy equipment and pay for premises.

More Information

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.