Licensed Acupuncturist

      A young woman came into my clinic one day and announced, "I decided I want to do what you do and be an Acupuncturist. How many months do you have to go to school?"  "Well...." I chuckled, " after college, it is four years of hours and at least 800 hours of internship. I did double the internship because I incorporated some additional modalities. By the time you are done, you will have about the same amount of education as a M.D., Chiropractor, or Naturopath. After you graduate, you sit for boards, like any other medical practitioner, and if you don't pass, you don't practice. You then become a Licensed Acupuncturist"  "Oh," her face fell, " Never mind! "

     In some states they permit M.D.s, Chiropractors, or Dentists to do Acupuncture with a few seminars, or a few weeks study in China, where they are given a certificate. Learning some Acupuncture points for a few treatments is quite different form learning Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) Theory before inserting the first needle. It is a different way of looking at the body, how everything interacts. When there is a deficiency, or excess, energetically in one organ or system, other organs have to energetically compensate.   
     When in school for TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Acupuncture is just a one of the many subjects. Besides Acupuncture and TCM theory, Chinese Herbology, Chinese dietary therapy, and depending on the school, Tui Na, the Chinese medicinal massage, Qi Gong, the predecessor to Reiki, are among some of the subjects. There are courses on gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, gynecology, gerontology, oncology, pediatrics, ear nose and throat, addiction, anatomy, physiology, pretty much the courses an M.D. takes, but from a TCM perspective. In some states a Licensed Acupuncturist is considered a primary care physician. In others, they are not permitted to use the title doctor or physician.                  
     When looking for an Acupuncturist be sure they are licensed by the state, which means they have completed the full amount of education, and passed the boards.  www.nccaom.org is the website for the National Certification of Oriental Medicine. To receive this certification Acupuncturists must be licesed in their state.
     A licensed Acupuncturist sees patients for just about everything an M.D. does. Just like finding a good M.D., one that listens and a patient feels comfortable with, it is important to look around and find the Licensed Acupuncturist who is right for you.

                                                    Health & Happiness,
                                                           Nancy Burton, L.Ac.
                                                                  534 Washington St.  Ashland, OR   97520
                                                                  For Appointment Call:   541-646-0134