Acupuncture anyone?

Question

What are the risk of being an acupuncturist?

What is it like studying acupuncture in college? Is it hard? Easy? Okay?

As an acupuncturist are people's lives in danger?

What about salary? how much do they get paid a year?

I'm asking because I have an interest in acupunture and would like to major in it in college?

Answer 1

this site might answer your questions

http://acupuncture.com/

Answer 2

Actually, I would start here:

http://www.ccaom.org/

Acupuncture.com is a great site with lots of information, but it is associated with only one school in California, and so may not be the best site for a prospective student.

Anyway, to try to answer your questions:

Risks are minimal, but could include getting sued for malpractice if you make an error (or even if you don't), just like any other health profession.  You will also have some difficulty with credibility among established practitioners of conventional Western Medicine (CWM).

Studying acupuncture is much like any other Master's degree--a lot of work.  Some of the concepts are difficult and will challenge you, some will come a bit easier, and some you will struggle with for years.

Danger?  I assume you mean the patient's life?  If you do your work properly, then they should be in very little danger from you.  If you needle improperly, then there could be some risk of causing damage.  And, of course, there is always some risk when you pierce the skin of infection--though proper clean needle technique makes the chances of that VERY small.

Acupuncturists are, for the most part, in business for themselves.  As such, how much you make will depend greatly on how well you market yourself.  Many acupuncturists must work part-time at another job to make ends meet, but some are pulling in greater than $100k.  Remember that you will have to learn to be a businessperson if you want to make good money.

Anyway, hope that helps.  Good luck.  Be sure to talk to some of the people at the school(s) you are considering, as well as some graduates, before you commit yourself.  Don't do it until you are sure of your decision--it's an expensive mistake if you don't like it!

Answer 3

Hello EB,

Acupuncture is very effective at times and I find it very interesting that you are looking to choose it as a major.  If you like that type of alternative healing, then you might like other alternative medicine solutions as well.  I would highly recomend http://www.doingverywell.com if you indeed to have an alternative medicine interest.