Becoming an Acupuncture Technician

Acupuncture Technicians treat and heal the patients with a unique technique of needling. They strategically insert thin needles in different pressure points of body in order to relieve tension, release energy and stimulate the human body.

Acupuncture Technicians help the patients suffering from both physical and mental disorder such as arthritis, back pain, headaches, depression, anxiety, asthma, lethargy, stress, carpal tunnel syndrome, menstrual discomfort, addiction so on and so forth. They also treat chronic illnesses and guide the patients to prevent from such health problems.

Acupuncture Technicians work at government and private settings. They are employed at health clinics, rehabilitation centers and other health related centers such as gym. They can also be involved in research and teaching practices after acquiring certain experience in this field.

Education Requirements

To become an Acupuncture Technician, the aspiring candidates need to hold a Master’s-level programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession from educational institutes accredited from the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). In addition, the students have to complete apprenticeship programs or hybrid programs that combine formal education with apprenticeship.

The aspiring Acupuncture Technicians can obtain certification from the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) after successfully completed 30 hours of classroom work and 40 hours of supervised hands-on acupuncture work in a clinic.

Besides the academic qualification, Acupuncture Technicians possess varieties of skills such as good eye and hand coordination, excellent communication and interpersonal skills etc.

Licensure

Since many states of USA require Acupuncture Technicians to be licensed, the aspiring candidates should obtain a License after completing required academic courses.

Salary and Job Outlook:

The job outlook for Acupuncture Technicians remains excellent across the USA. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job opportunity for this profession may grow eight percent during the period from 2012 to 2022. The average salary of an Acupuncture Technician was $73,400 in 2014.