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Acupuncturists

Exploring This Job

If a career in acupuncture interests you, there are many ways to learn more about it. You will find many books at the library. Studying Asian history, thought, and philosophy will help you learn to understand Oriental medicine's approach to healing.

Health food stores sometimes have books on acupuncture, and they are good places to learn about other alternative or complementary health modalities. Ask the staff if they know acupuncturists in your area. Talk with people who have experienced acupuncture. Find out what it was like and how they felt about it. Make an appointment for a health consultation with an acupuncturist. Find out if this approach to medicine works for you, and if you would like to use it to help others.

Read about or take courses in yoga or t'ai qi (t'ai chi). These are ancient methods for achieving control of the mind and body, and the principles on which they are based are similar to those of acupuncture.

You can also learn more about acupuncture by visiting the Web sites of the national and state professional associations. Some of them offer student memberships and many of them have excellent information online or for purchase.

You could also visit a college of acupuncture to sit in on classes and talk to the students. Ask them about their course-load and what they like and dislike about their programs.