Acupuncture, M.D. - Training and Scope of Practice

An Acupuncture, M.D. practices integrative/complementary medicine. (Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method of pain relief and disease treatment.) Because therapists have used acupuncture effectively over several centuries, a practicing Acupuncture, M.D. understands the full potential of this ancient therapy, and uses the same treatment that of licensed acupuncturists.

According to Chinese philosophy, acutherapy, whether facilitated by the Acupuncture, M.D., or a practicing acupuncturist, can influence the channels of energy that run within the body. Through the insertion of hair-like needles along meridian points, it is believed that acupuncture can relieve disease and pain by restoring balance between the two principal forces of nature -- the yin and the yang.

Most often, the Acupuncture, M.D. uses this complementary medicine for chronic illness and other injuries. Patients are always conscious and commonly in a relaxed state; they often report little or no pain for the duration of the acupuncturist's procedure.  Because acupuncture therapy increases brain productivity of endorphins (the body's natural painkiller), an Acupuncture, M.D. is acutely aware of the efficacy of this age-old healing art.  (Based on scientific research, healthcare therapies provided by an Acupuncture, M.D., help to trigger these signals in the nervous system, and can redefine pain indicators to the brain.)

Today, Acupuncture, M.D. education is on the rise as the practice it is steadily gaining acceptance. Modern Acupuncture, M.D. courses combine Eastern medicine with Western medicine; and as a post-graduate program, professional students gain advanced skills in how acupuncture reduces pain through biological mechanisms (i.e., opioid peptides, and hypothalamus and pituitary gland stimulation, neurotransmitter and hormonal changes, or immune system modifications).

Based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories, the prospective Acupuncture, M.D. learns how acupuncture can be both a safe and effective healthcare treatment for a myriad of conditions.  In an Acupuncture, M.D. course (often interchanged as “medical acupuncture for Physicians”), professionals are instructed in the fundamental theories of acupuncture, needling techniques, and integrative approaches in diagnosis and therapies. 

Acupuncture, M.D. programs are comprehensive in nature, and often entail well over 500 continuing education hours.  In addition, other essential Acupuncture, M.D. programs may be available in short course form or other training seminars; presenting specialized instruction or certification classes in herbal medicine, moxibustion, Tuina, Tai Chi, Qi gong, and other relative studies.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding Acupuncture, M.D. courses, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

Acupuncture, M.D. – Training and Scope of Practice

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