Career Overview
Diagnose, treat, and prevent disorders by stimulating specific acupuncture points within the body using acupuncture needles. May also use cups, nutritional supplements, therapeutic massage, acupressure, and other alternative health therapies.
Also Known As
- Acupuncture Physician
- Acupuncturist
- Herbalist
- Licensed Acupuncturist (LAC)
Alternate Job Titles
- Acupressure Therapist
- Acupressurist
- Acupuncture Doctor
- Acupuncture Physician
- Acupuncture Provider
- Acupuncturist
- Auricular Acupuncturist
- Auricular Detoxification Specialist
- Auricular Therapist
- Chinese Medical Doctor (Chinese MD)
- Chinese Medicine Doctor
- Herbalist
- Licensed Acupuncturist (LAC)
- Oriental Medicine Provider
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Maintain and follow standard quality, safety, environmental, and infection control policies and procedures.
- Treat patients using tools, such as needles, cups, ear balls, seeds, pellets, or nutritional supplements.
- Adhere to local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and statutes.
- Identify correct anatomical and proportional point locations based on patients' anatomy and positions, contraindications, and precautions related to treatments, such as intradermal needles, moxibustion, electricity, guasha, or bleeding.
- Develop individual treatment plans and strategies.
- Insert needles to provide acupuncture treatment.
- Evaluate treatment outcomes and recommend new or altered treatments as necessary to further promote, restore, or maintain health.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Psychology
- Biology
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Speaking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Finger Dexterity
- Speech Clarity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Empathy
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Relationships
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Acupuncture ear probes
- Acupuncture needle guide tubes
- Acutonics tuning forks
- Adenoid sphygmomanometers
- Adson forceps
- Air ion testers
- Angle tip forceps
- Autoclave sterilizers
- Babinski hammers
- Bandage scissors
- Biohazard containers
- Blood pressure monitors
- Buck neurological hammers
- Crystal probes
- Digital electronic acupunctoscopes
Work Environment
- Physical Proximity
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $41,840 |
| Median | $78,140 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $158,540 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 8,440
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Naturopathic Physicians
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $113,730
Chiropractors
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $79,000
Massage Therapists
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $57,950
Cardiologists
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
General Internal Medicine Physicians
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $236,350
Is This Career Right for You?
Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.
Take the Free Career Assessment →
Want Personalized Guidance?
For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.
Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.