Acupuncture is a procedure adapted from Chinese medical practice that treats illness and provides anesthesia by the insertion of needles at specific points in the body.

• To practice acupuncture effectively, you need to be thoroughly versed in its practices and benefits so you can ask patients questions and assess problems.
• Knowledge of the inner functions of different organs and muscles is essential to this job. Although this is "alternative," it is a form of medicine.
• Good manual dexterity is a necessity.
• Many states use NCCAOM certification as the main examination criteria for licensure. It takes three to four years to achieve this certification. Many different programs are available through out the country.
• As an acupuncturist, you can work independently or at various practices. Therefore, the average salary differs greatly, depending on the practice. Acupuncturists' gross annual income in 2006 ranged from $30,405 per year to over $105,000 per year. Practitioners who worked in hospitals made over $65,000 per year, while practitioners who worked for non-profit organizations made under $35,000 per year.