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Three Thousand Years of Practice
A woman suffers from migraine attacks three times a week and in desperation goes to an acupuncturist. Within weeks she is cured. Using ancient Chinese principles of energy flow, acupuncturists insert needles into their patients, thereby stimulating and regulating various systems. These include the hormonal, nervous, immune, circulatory and muscular systems in order to restore any imbalances in the body. It's a bit like clearing a pathway that has become obstructed.
The very fine needles (15 acupuncture needles would fit into the head of one hyperdermic needle) are inserted into any of the 360 common standard points on a patient's body where they are left for twenty minutes.
Sometimes an acupuncturist may use other methods of stimulating these pressure points, depending on the patient and their condition. For example, a small child frightened of needles may have laser stimulus, or a stubborn nicotine addiction may require electro-stimulus in conjunction with the needles. Massage, heat treatments and herbs may also be used by an acupuncturist in conjunction with needles.
Ancient Practice Aids A Host Of Ailments
Most ailments can be treated using acupuncture. In her acupuncture clinic in Fremantle, Sono, a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, sees a wide range of patients troubled by disorders such as skin allergies, menstrual problems or chronic fatigue syndrome. Drawn into the health profession since her earlier work as a massage therapist, she finds her role in helping people a very rewarding one.
''Acupuncture is a profound and challenging occupation because you carry the wisdom of a 1,000 years with you. It's a very humbling profession and very rewarding because so many have benefited from it. I still get phone calls and positive feedback from some of my clients long after the course of treatment is over.''
A Detective's Game
Acupuncture doesn't just involve precise placement of needles into the skin. There is a range of diagnostic tools that a practitioner must employ before he or she knows the course of treatment. It is this exact science of diagnosis that appeals to Wade James, a senior lecturer at the Perth Academy of Natural Therapies and a practising acupuncturist.
''The best thing is the academic/theoretical side of Chinese medicine. It's a detective's game. A good detective finds out what is going on with the patient and helps them get better.''
Like a doctor, an acupuncturist uses many diagnostic procedures. Asking questions, listening to the quality of the voice for imbalances (is the voice too loud, timid, quick?), examining the tongue (eg. tip of tongue corresponds to the heart) and measuring the pulse (27 different pulse tests) are all necessary in planning the treatment to be undertaken.
An acupuncturist also plays a valuable role as a lifestyle counsellor and guide and may prescribe Chinese herbs as part of the ongoing treatment. Sono asks her clients questions about their eating, sleeping and exercise habits because, if lifestyle changes are made, then the client's problems should be eliminated.
An Accelerating Alternative
Most acupuncturists are self-employed, but some may be employed by an established clinic where a mixture of natural therapies are practised (naturopathy, osteopathy, reflexology and herbal medicine). Most graduates join practices or group practices and it may take up to two to three years to get going in the industry on their own.
Employment growth is predicted to be strong for acupuncturists, mainly because there is a growing community interest in alternative medicine. However, the occupation is very small and at the moment demand is being met by local supply in Western Australia.
By far, the most recent significant impact on the industry has been the rebates offered through private health funds such as HBF and Medibank Private for treatments provided by acupuncturists. This means that an increasing number of people can afford to see an acupuncturist, just as they can go to a dentist or a dermatologist, and claim some of the money back through their health insurance.
Salaries can vary enormously according to the size of the practice and the reputation of the practitioner. For more information regarding this, check out the Australian Government Workplace Authority website below.
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