Find Chinese medicine doctor programs in the United States and
Canada. Chinese medicine doctors offer health and wellness services that
are often used as an alternative or complementary medicine. In order
to practice in the field, Chinese medicine doctors must have received
adequate training and education to fulfill necessary requirements in
becoming a professional practitioner. Preferably, qualified Chinese
medicine doctors will have graduated from one of several accredited
oriental medicine schools, and will have become certified by the
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
(NCCAOM) and licensed* in the state where they reside. *(Licensure
depends on individual state requirements for practice.)
In
addition to acupuncture, Chinese medicine doctors will often provide
services in physical therapy (Tuina), shiatsu, nutritional advice,
Chinese herbology, and other associated practices. Chinese medicine
doctors in America must be either licensed or certified, and may be
considered a primary care physician if they are licensed as acupuncture
physicians. Common titles that are often noted for this profession,
include D.O.M. (Doctor of Oriental Medicine), L.Ac.,C.Ac.,R.Ac., or
O.M.D.
Generally speaking, Chinese medicine doctors, much like
that of conventional medicine practitioners, have dedicated a fair
amount of time and energy toward educational training in becoming a
professional healthcare provider. Chinese medicine doctors will have
attained much knowledge and essential skills in TCM theories
(Traditional Chinese Medicine) and history. Other comprehensive
education and preparation in becoming Chinese medicine doctors will
include clinical and practical training in acupuncture points, needling
techniques, herbal medicine, moxibustion, Qigong, Tai Chi, pathology,
botanical medicine, Western medicine, physiology and anatomy.
In
addition to ethical and business practices, Chinese medicine doctors are
gaining lead way in modern America: for example, did you know that
acupuncture (as a complementary medicine) has grown tremendously over
the last two decades? According to the National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM); an "estimated 8.2
million U.S. adults have used acupuncture." That's promising news for
prospective Chinese medicine doctors. And for candidates that are
working toward becoming Chinese medicine doctors, it is even more
promising knowing that there are several Chinese medicine and
acupuncture schools from which to choose.
