Although it is an ancient discipline, acupuncture is now emerging as a very modern choice of career. Acupuncture schools in the United States incorporate teaching from the east and west in order to treat the individual from the wisdom of both disciplines. The graduate of acupuncture schools in the United States can anticipate being a well prepared, hands-on practitioner.
What is acupuncture? Acupuncture explores the energy within our physiology that can remove barriers to health. According to Wikipedia, acupuncture is the procedure of inserting and manipulating filoform needles into various parts of the body to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes. Acupuncture points are situated along meridians along which life energy flows. Acupuncture is considered a safe treatment that has application to a wide variety of diseases. It is believed that blood or qi (life energy) stagnates at various points, causing physical and emotional challenges to the individual. In order to diagnose, practitioners of Chinese Medicine rely upon various techniques. At acupuncture schools in the United States, students are trained to listen for sounds, inspect the face and tongue. Students at acupuncture schools in the United States must also feel the body for soft spots and ask the patient questions. Most of the questions are about chills, perspiration, thirst, appetite, fever, defecation, urination, sleep and pain. Following are some acupuncture schools in the United States:
Five Branches University Graduate School of Traditional Chinese Meditation (California) www.fivebranches.edu The school was founded in 1984. The faculty has over one hundred instructors. They offer a Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine that includes acupuncture. They also offer a Doctor of Acupuncture program. Applications are accepted all throughout the year and give priority to the earliest applicants. Five branches wants their graduates to be able to diagnose and prescribe treatment. Also, the graduates should easily be able to make referrals to specialists and teach patients about self- care.
Tri- State College of Acupuncture (New York) www.tsca.edu/ The Tri State College of Acupuncture has been training in acupuncture for thirty years. They teach three styles of acupuncture. The Master of Science in Acupuncture takes three years. They provide instruction in Chinese, Japanese and European acupuncture styles. Applications for September admission are open throughout the year until there is no more space available. Prerequisites include an Associate Degree from a university.
American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (Texas) www.acaom.edu/ They believe in the integration of Oriental and Western medicine. They offer a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Most courses are offered in the evenings because they are geared toward the adult learner. Prerequisites for admission include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate grade point average of 2.5.
Academy for Five Element Acupuncture (Florida) www.acupuncturist.com The Master of Acupuncture Program can be completed in thirty six months. Students do not need to live in Florida for the first two years of the program. During the first two years, teaching incentives are conducted once every four months. After the fourteen day teaching intensives are concluded, the students can return home to study. This opens up the program to a more broad student body. The curriculum is rooted in ancient Taoism. They also offer a Chinese Herbal Studies Program. They are nationally accredited to ensure licensure in most states. Some financial aid is available.
Southwest Acupuncture College (New Mexico) www.acupuncturecollege.edu They offer a Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine. It is about four academic years. Most of the emphasis is upon acupuncture and herbal medicine. Requirements are sixty semester credits at the college level. Also, applicants must be at least twenty years of age.
Pursuing a career at acupuncture schools in the United States is a wise career choice. It is a very interesting discipline. Acupuncture can be broadly applied to many diseased and conditions, emotional and physical, thus it is a very versatile field. Those exploring a career at acupuncture schools in the United States will find a rewarding future.
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