What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the most well known branch of Chinese Medicine, due to its incorporation into the modern world and modern medicine. In 1972 the then USA President Richard M. Nixon introduced the western world to acupuncture after a successful visit to a Chinese acupuncturist and since then modern medicine’s interest in acupuncture as a medicinal tool has peaked.
Acupuncture is the insertion of many fine needles into anatomical points on the body that have the specific purpose of manipulating Qi (the body’s energy). It is based on the theory that there are several lines of energy throughout our bodies (meridians) that control our energy flow and correspond to our bodily organs.
A trained acupuncturist will put anywhere from 10-100 needles into a patient depending on the severity and nature of that condition. These can be anywhere on the body, including in the ears (auriculotherapy), feet, hands, abdomen and muscle lines.
An acupuncture degree on its own takes 3-4 years depending on any undergraduate qualifications. A Chinese Medicine degree takes 4-5 years as it includes herbal medicine as well.
