What is an acupuncturist and what you need to know

Traditional Chinese Medicine has blossomed in Australia over the past few decades and is now an important part of the health sector.

The techniques in this field have been refined over thousands of years. Across the five primary branches of acupuncture, herbs, massage, nutrition and exercise, Traditional Chinese Medicine aims to encourage healing and relieve pain.

According to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA), there are close to 5,000 registered Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners across the country.

Acupuncture is one of the most popular components of Chinese medicine and demand from Australian patients for treatment has increased in the past few years.

We spoke to Torrens University Australia acupuncture program facilitator and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner Adrian Button about the opportunities on offer for students and how to become certified in this rewarding profession.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine, alongside the practices of massage, herbs, nutrition and exercise.

The treatment involves the placement of fine needles into the skin at specific points on the body with the aim of boosting wellness and relieving pain. Acupuncturists know how to safely use acupuncture needles, as well as ancillary techniques like gua sha (skin scraping) and cupping.

Historically, this approach has been used to treat several body aches and pains, including musculoskeletal conditions and traumatic injuries like muscle sprains.

Acupuncture can also work with internal issues like gastrointestinal concerns. A huge focus these days is sub-fertility. There are many clinics out there today that combine acupuncture with herbs to treat infertility issues.

What is an acupuncturist?

Acupuncturists are experts in Traditional Chinese Medicine who are specifically trained to evaluate the concerns of an individual and use approaches like needling to support health and wellbeing.

These practitioners have studied an acupuncture course as part of a broader degree in health sciences before becoming eligible to practice.

As an acupuncturist, you will probably be working autonomously with patients, under your own steam. Unless you want to specialise in an area like sports medicine or musculoskeletal conditions, you’ll be involved in a form of general medicine and see clients with everything from headaches to a range of other ailments.

Many acupuncturists join an established practice but there are also opportunities to work in sporting clubs and even in tourist settings like on cruise ships.

Many people come to us for treatment when other medical systems have failed them. We see a lot of chronically unwell people.

We have got a gentle method of working with people to establish balance and alleviate their suffering. Acupuncturists are there for the long term to help our patients.

What qualifications do acupuncturists need?

All acupuncturists and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners must be registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia, which is part of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA), before they can legally work.

The standard training for those who want to study acupuncture is the Bachelor of Health Science degree, which requires four years of study.

Graduates from Torrens University Australia finish with a combined degree in health sciences and Chinese medicine and are eligible for AHPRA registration.

By completing the Bachelor of Health Science (Chinese Medicine) degree at Torrens University, students can get professional registration to enter the profession.

Studying acupuncture as part of a Traditional Chinese Medicine course

Students interested in a career in acupuncture can study the field as part of a broader health sciences and Chinese medicine curriculum at Torrens University.

Within the Bachelor of Health Science, students learn components of Western medicine in addition to the theories of Chinese medicine. This helps give them the greatest chance of integrating into the contemporary health landscape in Australia.

At Torrens University, students begin with a gentle introduction where they learn how to find acupuncture points, then how to needle them safely and hygienically.

They also complete a clinical practicum, where they progressively go from clinical observation to clinical practice.

We reinforce students’ learning by continually circling around the material. As you learn more detailed theory, you learn it in relation to that earlier knowledge and there is constant reinforcement.

As a teacher, you witness the students go from not knowing too much to being able to competently assess a client’s signs and symptoms and form a clinical picture and strategy to correct these.