How easy is it to become an acupuncturist?
August 30th, 2007There is an interesting discussion going on at the emptyflower message board. It starts off as a question about rib displacement and moves into more of a discussion between some acupuncturists and some western medical professionals (one of whom is a neurosurgeon).
One of the points raised is that western medical professionals can take a weekend course and become licenced to offer acupuncture as an adjunct to their practice. Often this is “acupuncture for pain relief” and relies on using cookie-cutter like recipes of points for specific complaints (often back or neck ache). Is this a good idea? After all, acupuncturist spend many years learning oriental medicine, its theory and practice and how to diagnose and treat according to the Zhang Fu, 8 Principles, Five Elements etc etc. Should acupuncturists be able to take a weekend course in, I don’t know, open heart surgery?
I’m a bit on the fence on this issue - I know that donning my acupuncture hat, this approach is the wrong way to go. Offering topical pain relief doesn’t get to the root of the problem and applying acupuncture outside of its own theoretical and diagnostic framework is a bit like trying to converse in a foreign language when all you have are a few phrases like “Which way to the Eiffel Tower?” and “Can I have a baguette with cheese please?”. On the other hand, it is foolish to think that western docs don’t try to get to the root of a problem, and if what they diagnose in western terms can be helped by a little localised pain relief from acupuncture, then why not?
August 30th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
I was just having a debate regarding this issue. Personally, I think it if fine for MD’s to expand their horizon. My only concern is that their patients aren’t always aware that they are not getting the full benefit of Chinese medicine during these treatments. Weekend courses are surely not suficent and maybe some regulations need to be in effect, even for Md’s.
It reminds me of the massage therapists who take a weekend course in Shiatsu and tell the world they are shiatsu practitioners, all the while, many of us have studied for countless hours.
An associate of mine went to a MD for acupucture and after a few sessions, I asked how it was coming along. Basically it wasn’t. My suggestion? Go to an acupuncturist for a real treatment.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:56 am
A colleague at work was having acupuncture from a physiotherapist. They used some kind of electronic device to decide which points to use. In the end he found the whole process painful and without benefit. So his conclusion was acupuncture, and therefore, shiatsu was rubbish.
This story seems to support The Therapists conclusion that patients get the wrong idea about what Chinese medicine is and can offer. I did suggest that my colleague see a fully qualified acupuncturist but by then it was too late.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Thanks for the thoughts - excellent point that it can do more harm than good to the therapies involved!
September 3rd, 2007 at 12:48 pm
A bit worrying for those of us who accept treatment - how do we ascertain that somebody is properly trained? I have been offered acupuncture treatment by a western MD, and assumed she had been adequately trained. I didn’t think of enquiring about the actual extent of her training. That said, I found the treatment helpful, albeit temporarily, so would probably accept it again. It would be helpful to have some guidelines for checking on training and /or qualifications though.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Mum, I like to try to answer that.
If you were comfortable with it and got some relief then it is ok. Not everyone is looking for that whole Chinese Medicine approach so acupuncture by an Md will be fine for them. Its not to say its better or worse.
Maybe you can try a licensed acupuncturist sometime to see if there is a difference? I would love to hear about the difference in treatments from a patient.