Thursday, December 6, 2012



ALL ACUPUNCTURISTS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL


Written by: Margaret Older, BS, LAc
 
An "Acupuncturist” has completed 4 years of study, including 1 1/2 years of supervised clinic experience, in which you are immersed in Chinese Medicine.  If you are lucky, as I was, all your teachers are Chinese.  During this time you learn the meridians, the points, the herbs, the herb formulas and most importantly, the theory and interrelationships between them.  

Each state determines what title you are allowed to use.  Some states allow "Doctor of Oriental Medicine" (DOM) some "Licensed Acupuncturist" (L.Ac) but the training is the same. Diplomate, abbreviated "Dipl" may follow the title.  This indicates that Nationally Certified Boards have been passed.  An acupuncturist can be a Diplomate of Acupuncture, of Herbs or of Oriental Medicine. This last certification means you have passed the Acupuncture AND Herb boards AND have completed Western bioscience courses such as biology, chemistry, anatomy and pharmacology. NCCAOM, the national certifying board also requires 60 Continuing Education Units including CPR and ethics be completed within each 4 year period. 

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