Cures Without Medication

An ancient Chinese medical technique, acupuncture is a medicine originating from China over 5,000 years ago (Singer, 1). Acupuncture was used to help restore a healthy balance of energy throughout the body, along with herbal remedies, was the main treatment offered by traditional Chinese medicine ("Acupuncturist", 1). Basically, acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles, sometimes along with an electrical stimulus, on the body's surface (1). Acupuncture influences physiological functioning of the body by an unknown process, it raises the levels of triglycerides (three fatty acids naturally occurring in our body), specific hormones, white blood cell counts, endorphins, and overall anti-body levels ("Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Schools and Careers Q&A", 1). Therefore balancing your body and improving your immune system.

According the Chinese medical practices, acupuncturists diagnose and treat patients with an emphasis on balancing Ð''qi', the life force or energy in all living things ("Acupuncturist", 1). Acupuncturists insert fine needles into certain places of the body known as acupoints (1). These points correspond to the twelve major energy pathways in the body called meridians (1). Each of the meridians is related to specific internal organs and systems (1). According to the prescribed length of time, acupuncture needs are left in, and may also use electrical current, ultrasound, heat, laser beams, or herbs to treat patients' (1). The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture and traditional

Oriental medicine's ability to treat more than 43 common disorders including: Gastrointestinal disorders, like food allergies, indigestion, anorexia, urogenital disorders including urinary tract infections, gynecological disorders, respiratory disorders, disorders of the bones, muscles, joints, and nervous systems such as arthritis, migraine headaches, neck and shoulder pain, etc, circulatory disorders, emotional and psychological disorders, addictions, eye, ear, and throat disorders, and a supportive therapy for other chronic and painful debilitating disorders ("Acupuncture & Oriental

Medicine Schools and Careers Q&A", 4).

Acupuncturists usually work in community health centers, sports institutes, private clinics, or from their own home, and some visit clients in their homes

(Pine Hauora, 4). Because acupuncture is all about relaxation, acupuncturists work in surroundings that are comfortable for them and their patients' (4).

Through public awareness and acceptance the outlook for acupuncture is good, the number of people employed is expected to remain stable or increase moderately over the next few years because an increasing demand for acupuncture ("Acupuncturist", 1). As patients seek more alternative medical care, public hospitals are expected to require acupuncturists, therefore rising the demand for this occupation (1).

Depending on work hours, acupuncturists make from $30,000 per year to $100,000 per year (Pine Hauora, 4). They usually work regular office hours, depending

on the level of demand for their services, they may also be required to work weekends or be on call for their patients (4). Each session lasts about half an hour to an hour, but first sessions last longer. Many self-employed acupuncturists charge from $40 to $60 per session (4). As most acupuncturists are self-employed, they must provide their own medical, dental, and retirement benefits (4).

To enter the occupation of acupuncture, the most common training is a Master's degree in Acupuncture