Chinese Medicine Doctors: Education and Credentials

Find Chinese medicine doctor programs in the United States and
Canada. Chinese medicine doctors offer health and wellness services
that are often used as an alternative or complementary medicine. In
order to practice in the field, Chinese medicine doctors must have
received adequate training and education to fulfill necessary
requirements in becoming a professional practitioner. Preferably,
qualified Chinese medicine doctors will have graduated from one of
several accredited oriental medicine schools, and will have become
certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture
and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and licensed* in the state where they
reside. *(Licensure depends on individual state requirements for
practice.)

In addition to acupuncture, Chinese medicine doctors will often
provide services in physical therapy (Tuina), shiatsu, nutritional
advice, Chinese herbology, and other associated practices. Chinese
medicine doctors in America must be either licensed or certified, and
may be considered a primary care physician if they are licensed as
acupuncture physicians. Common titles that are often noted for this
profession, include D.O.M. (Doctor of Oriental Medicine),
L.Ac.,C.Ac.,R.Ac., or O.M.D.

Generally speaking, Chinese medicine doctors, much like that of
conventional medicine practitioners, have dedicated a fair amount of
time and energy toward educational training in becoming a professional
healthcare provider. Chinese medicine doctors will have attained much
knowledge and essential skills in TCM theories (Traditional Chinese
Medicine) and history. Other comprehensive education and preparation
in becoming Chinese medicine doctors will include clinical and
practical training in acupuncture points, needling techniques, herbal
medicine, moxibustion, Qigong, Tai Chi, pathology, botanical medicine,
Western medicine, physiology and anatomy.

In addition to ethical and business practices, Chinese medicine
doctors are gaining lead way in modern America: for example, did you
know that acupuncture (as a complementary medicine) has grown
tremendously over the last two decades? According to the National
Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM); an
"estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults have used acupuncture." That's
promising news for prospective Chinese medicine doctors. And for
candidates that are working toward becoming Chinese medicine doctors,
it is even more promising knowing that there are several Chinese
medicine and acupuncture schools from which to choose.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding programs to
become Chinese medicine doctors, let education within fast-growing
industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental
medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school
programs near you.

Chinese Medicine Doctors: Education and Credentials

© Copyright 2007

The CollegeBound Network

All Rights Reserved

NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant
websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included;
and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.

_By: *CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd*_

*About the Author:*

*Resource Box:* CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd - Freelance Writer and Web
Consultant for HolisticJunction.com, _in association with
CollegeSurfing.com_ - Educational Resources for Oriental Medicine
Schools [1], Chinese Medicine Doctor [2] programs, and other
Alternative Healing Schools.

Links:
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[1] http://www.holisticjunction.com/categories/HAD/oriental-medicine.html
[2] http://www.holisticjunction.com/categories/HAD/chinese-medicine.html