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- Help improve the wellbeing of your clients
- Insert fine needles in precise locations on the body
- Work for yourself or in an established practice
You might also use methods like: moxibustion (burning a dried herb above an acupuncture point), cupping (using a vacuum cup on acupuncture points), and electro-acupuncture (using electrical energy to treat parts of the body). You'll also need to pass background checks as this is a health-related profession.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Take a detailed history from clients
- Talk about issues surrounding their symptoms, like lifestyle, diet and emotions
- Diagnose problems and decide what action to take, selecting points on the body to be treated and inserting needles
- Keep records
- Refer clients to other medical practitioners
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work from home, at a hospice, in a therapy clinic, at a GP practice or in an NHS or private hospital.
Your salary will depend on the hours you work and the number of clients you see. Acupuncturists charge an average of £50- £70 per treatment.
You'll need
You'll need to take a qualification that's recognised by one of the professional organisations for acupuncture, like the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC), the Acupuncture Society or the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ATCM).
The British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB) is an independent accreditation body, and has approved several courses that lead to membership of the British Acupuncture Council. Courses are offered at different levels, with some going up to degree. Each body sets its own course entry requirements. You'll also need to pass background checks as this is a health related profession.
If you're a qualified healthcare professional, like a doctor or nurse, you could train in acupuncture through the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS). Members of the BMAS are regulated healthcare professionals who practise acupuncture in their professional practice.
Work is currently ongoing for the statutory regulation of acupuncturists.
You may find it useful to join organisations like the British Acupuncture Council and Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council, for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts. With experience you could move into teaching or research.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience and a good reputation, you may charge more and see up to 30 clients per week. These figures are a guide. With experience you could move into teaching or research.