What is Acupuncture and How to Choose the Right Acupuncture School for a Successful Career

Acupuncture is an ancient form of complementary medicine that is now becoming a fast-growing field in the West. It is not until the late 20th century that acupuncture began to cohesively work with Western medicine to relieve ailments such as post-operative nausea, anxiety and chronic pain among others. To some people in the West, acupuncture and other methods of natural healing have replaced manufactured pharmaceuticals, when they did not get relief. Due to the increasing interest in natural healing methods, Acupuncture Schools have been growing nationwide to train and license students.

Originating in China over 5,000 years ago, acupuncture practitioners insert thin needles into select acupressure points in order to correct the imbalance in the flow of qi, or energy. The needles are then manipulated manually or through electrical stimulation. By stimulating certain acupressure points, the flow of qi in the energy channels, or meridians as they are referred to, is improved allowing for patients to feel relief from their pain or ailment.

Today, acupuncture is widely practiced in West for a variety of conditions ranging from chronic pain to fertility issues. According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, an estimated 3.1 million U.S. adults and 150,000 children had used acupuncture in the previous year. Due to the growth of the field and to ensure patient safety, the FDA regulates the needles used for acupuncture by labeling them as single-use and disposable, dictating that they must be sterile and not toxic. These needles are only accessible to licensed acupuncture practitioners.

As the demand for acupuncturists increases, so does the interest in becoming a professional in this field. In order to become an acupuncturist, one must complete undergraduate and graduate courses to earn a Masters degree at an Acupuncture School. Before choosing a school, consider several things:

• Accreditation – If a school is accredited, it means that they are up to standards of licensing and certification requirements. Both are important when seeking an occupation as an acupuncturist.
• Time – If you are planning to be a working student, make sure that the Acupuncture School you choose has flexible classes to fit your schedule.
• Convenience – Getting to school should be simple. Ensure that the school is in your vicinity and/or is near public transportation so that you are always able to attend class.
• Internship – Be sure your school offers you many months of hands-on internships treating real patients under supervision of your instructors.

New York College of Health Professions is an exemplary Acupuncture School that is accredited, allows for working students to attend school part time, and has 4 conveniently located locations on Long Island and in New York City. Their Graduate School of Oriental Medicine offers a 145-credit, nine-trimester Acupuncture Program. Students graduate with a Bachelor of Professional Studies/ Master of Science degree in Health Sciences/ Acupuncture. This Acupuncture program was the first in New York to be approved by the New York State Education Department and is accredited by both the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), the recognized accrediting agency for the approval of programs preparing Acupuncture practitioners and by the New York State Board of Regents and Commissioner of Education, a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

What is Herbal Medicine and How to Choose the Right Herbal Medicine School

Herbal medicine is the use of a plant's stem, flowers, roots, berries, leaves, etc. for medicinal purposes. Although its use dates back over 5,000 years, it has only recently assimilated into mainstream Western medicine. With the rapidly growing interest in Herbal Medicine in the last 20 years, the field has become highly competitive for its practitioners and as a result, the education one receives as an herbalist separates them from the rest. This article will briefly discuss the history of herbal medicine and what a prospective student should look for in an herbal medicine school.

Recorded use of herbal medicine, or phytomedicine as it is also known, by the ancient cultures of the Egyptians and the Chinese dates as far back as 3,000 B.C. The Indians incorporated herbalism into their traditional medical system, Ayurveda, which also encompasses natural treatments such as massage therapy, acupuncture and other methods of oriental medicine. Due to financial reasons as well as lack of public awareness, fabricated drugs had replaced natural remedies starting in the 1800’s. However, over 25% of pharmaceuticals on the market in the today are derived from plants. With the growing inclination towards natural healing methods, Western medicine has incorporated using herbal medicine as a form of treatment. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) found that 80% of people worldwide utilize herbal medicines as part of their healthcare.

The increased interest in botanical medicine has also increased the demand for knowledgeable herbalists. Schools across the United States now offer courses for this healing method, which is often incorporated into an oriental medicine program. Due to the increasing competitiveness of the field, students looking to pursue herbal medicine must be careful to choose a school that is accredited, exceeds standards, and provides them with real-life experience.

New York College of Health Professions is an exemplary school which offers a graduate oriental medicine program with a strong focus on herbal medicine. During the 185-credit, 10-trimester program, students benefit from courses such as Western Nutrition, Neurology and Chinese Herbal Medicine amongst many others. It is important to be educated in both Eastern and Western medicine in order to be successful in your career as an oriental medicine practitioner and/or an herbalist. New York College’s main campus in Syosset, New York is also home to an herbal dispensary, where students can practice their clinical skills and patients can receive discounted consultations and herbs.

By choosing to attend an herbal medicine school that enables its students to succeed in real-life scenarios, you will be best-prepared for the career ahead of you.

Information on Asian Bodywork Therapy

Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) is a form of natural treatment through manipulations of the human body. Dating back to ancient period of the legendary Yellow Emperor of China, Asian Bodywork Therapy is part of Oriental Medicine, which encompasses Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, and other natural treatments. Similar to those therapies, Asian Bodywork concentrates on treating the body, mind and spirit, and aids the patient in achieving overall health.
While there are several various forms of Asian Bodywork Therapy, all of them involve some degree of touching. Primarily, the therapist skillfully gathers information through: the review of information provided by the patient, tongue and pulse diagnosis, observation of the patient's signs and symptoms, listening to the patient's complaints, and palpating the body. The therapist will then determine the proper treatment.

In this article, we will discuss three most popular forms of Asian Bodywork:

Acupressure:

This is the application of pressure to specific points in the body (acupuncture points) for the purpose of relieving tension. This further enhances the flow of qi (“chi”) and blood throughout the body.

Five-Element Shiatsu:

By touching, observing, listening, and asking, the therapist determines the disharmony existing in the patient and then chooses the best path of treatment. A patient can expect to be asked about their lifestyle, as well as psychological issues, which of Asian Bodywork therapists consider important information to help them arrive at the correct diagnosis. The therapist will then perform various treatments such as touching, massage and even use herbs to balance the patient’s body, mind and spirit.

Tui Na:

This method combines manipulation of soft tissues, applying pressure at acupuncture points and realigning the spine and other structures to treat musculoskeletal and internal conditions.

Although Asian Bodywork Therapy has been around for over 5,000 years, it is not until 1996 that the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) developed the first certification program in Asian Bodywork Therapy. Today, it is a rapidly growing field fueled by the public’s interest in natural, complementary treatments. For individuals who are looking to pursue Asian Bodywork as a career, it is important to get an education that exceeds standards.

New York College of Health Professions is an exemplary school that is one of very few schools that offers a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Advanced Asian Bodywork. During the 120-credit, 10-trimester program, students benefit from 60 credits completing their Associates of Occupational Studies (AOS) including basic massage therapy skills as well as 60 degrees of in-depth assessment and practical study in Advanced Asian Bodywork Techniques such as Tui Na and Shiatsu.