Acupuncture Course - Worth it?

anyone?

Hi Beeswax

Yes there is a future and a career in acupuncture. Acupuncture has a higher profile than other CAM therapies and is used to a small degree in the NHS. If there was any therapy that would ever be integrated into conventional healthcare, it would be acupuncture.

But you have to work out the if the training will pay for itself and it's possible to make a living. Business acumen and many other factors have to be taken in consideration in a successful practice, ie self-confidence. Therapists sitting at home expecting the "angels" or the "universe" to provide them work are living in a dreamland fantasy.

One benefit of either acupuncture & bowen therapy over other bodywork therapies is that they can be practiced well into retirement. Massage therapists' working life is a lot shorter as many musclosketetal problems can occur.

Studying acupuncture is a much bigger commitment than many other bodywork therapies, but then you can potentially do more with it. If your for example you have 20 years or more working life ahead of you, acupuncture is a good long term investment.

Best Wishes

RP

Thank you Reiki, you've definitely made me think about it even more seriously. It's definitely a popular therapy. Well, I guess I better get saving then! Are there any acupuncturists here who could give me some insight into how long it took them to set up etc.

come on acupuncturists

Hi Beeswax,
It might sound a daft question but what are you wanting to use acupuncture for? would it be an adjunt to current treatments etc or as a seperate modality?
i ask because im aware for example, that you can train in specific areas such as Orthopaedic accupuncture for use in muscoskeletal problems. This doesnt / wouldnt qualify you as an acupuncturist but allows the use of acupuncture for certain conditions etc.

thanks,
simon.

hi fitnesstherapy,

as a seperate modality. just wondering whether its worth it in the end because the cost of the course is v.high.

Hello All-
This is my first post on these pages, so please excuse any protocol failures whilst I get used to the way of things!

Regarding acupuncture, I think the value of the course is reflected in the cost. Would you want someone with a poor (low cost) training sticking needles in YOU? Most serious injuries (collaped lungs etc) are caused by poor training.

I've just graduated with First from a UK university where the course fees are lower than most private collages. The training was first class- I was in a group of just 5 students, and much of the time the clinical supervision was 1 to 1 with top class professors of Chinese medicine. You need (and get) a first class training in A & P, pathology, basic psychology and business skills, each from top quality teachers, most of whom have years of real world experience. You HAVE to work hard- remembering the location of the points is just the basics!

As mentioned in a previous post, there are short courses available- these are usually only available to someone with an existing MEDICAL training who is regulated by the HPC, eg physio, midwife, nurse, dentist etc. These are short for a reason, as they are specific to each of the professions. Furthermore, some doctors (GP's) do a diploma in Medical Acupuncture (a very different theroretical basis than Traditional).

There are no "walk in" carreers after training. Most practitioners are self employed and expert marketeers- the rest go to the wall.

It it worth it? You bet! This stuff really works.

Hi david,

the course is validated by middlesex university and is a 3 year bsc degree course.

where did you study if you dont mind me asking.

Hi Besswax

I live on the Essex Riviera (seriously!) so the nearest course was at UEL.

Check that whichever course you choose that it's Stage 2 (or 3) validated by the BAcC-this allows automatic membership on graduating.

If you choose to do a course at a "proper" uni rather than a private college, you pay the normal fees of around £3200 per year, for which the Student Loan Co will stump up. Colleges like York, LTCA etc charge more, for which you have to find the difference. These external courses have to be validated by a uni to make them a genuine degree; recently one or two unis have withdrawn validation so check first.

York has a good reputation. My course manager trained with one of the leading lights there, but that was 20 years ago.

If you're serious about learning Traditional acupuncture, snaffle a copy of The Foundations of Chinese Medicine by G. Macciocia, and see if it shuts itself when you read it! If it stays open for an hour, you might just be OK with the course!

Much of the training revolves around "reflective practice"- if you can't "know" youself, how can you help someone else? Self evaluation based on honesty and clarity are crucial for acupuncture-people that come for help have often exhausted all other avenues, and can be wrung out by their experiences, so knowing how to "be" with others is crucial. This self reflection may highlight things that need tackling in youself- not always easy!

Ultimitely acupuncture is no miracle cure- but it CAN help with many of the things that Biomedicine struggles to fix without resorting to drugs. Look for the best teachers- phone and ask to observe a clinic for a morning, get treatment yourself, talk to others that have had acupuncture, but be realistic. Its a long hard training and to get put off halfway by lack of money or by stuggling with the workload is a real possibility. Eleven students started in my cohort-only 2 graduated this year as some switched to part time as the load was too much (often the students are "mature" with other work and familiy commitments). Others simply fell by the wayside. So it goes.

Good luck with your search
David