Acupuncturist
Acupuncturists insert needles into pressure points on clients’ bodies to help relieve everyday stresses, and improve their wellbeing.
Salary Range: Variable
You can get into this job through:
- specialist courses run by professional bodies
Other routes
You’ll need to do a qualification that is recognised by one of the professional organisations for acupuncture, for example:
The British Acupuncture Accreditation Board is an independent accreditation body, and has approved several courses that lead to membership of the British Acupuncture Council.
Courses are offered at different levels, with some going up to degree. Each body sets its own course entry requirements.
If you’re a qualified healthcare professional, like a doctor or nurse, you could train in acupuncture through the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS).
Members of the BMAS are regulated healthcare professionals who practise acupuncture in their professional practice.
More information
Professional and industry bodies
Work is currently ongoing for the statutory regulation of acupuncturists.
You may find it useful to join organisations like the British Acupuncture Council and Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council, for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
Further information
You can find out more about acupuncture careers from the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board and the British Acupuncture Council.
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- knowledge of medicine and dentistry
- knowledge of psychology
- sensitivity and understanding
- customer service skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to use your initiative
- counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and requirements
You’ll need to:
- pass background checks
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties could include:
- taking a detailed history from clients
- talking about issues surrounding a client’s symptoms, like lifestyle, diet and emotions
- diagnosing problems and deciding what action to take
- selecting points on the body to be treated
- inserting needles
- keeping records
- referring clients to medical practitioners
Working environment
You could work from home, at a hospice, in a therapy clinic, at a GP practice or in an NHS or private hospital.
With experience you could move into teaching or research.