Oriental Medicine is based on the premise that disease is a physical expressions of an imbalance within the body. Oriental medicine doctors identify these patterns of disharmony in order to re-establish health in a patient. The study of Oriental Medicine can encompass a wide range of practices, the main ones being acupuncture, traditional herbal medicine and moxibustion. The only practice that is covered by selected insurance agencies and requires a licence for practice is acupuncture. Most acupuncture schools will also teach the less-extensive practices of moxibustion, cupping and herbal medicine. One of the most comprehensive programs of acupuncture is available through the Daoist Traditions School in Asheville, North Carolina.
Instructions
1. Evaluate your life circumstances and financial capability. Decide if you are interested in relocating to attend a specific school or if you would rather go to a school that is located in the city you are currently living in. Use a notepad to write down all the pros and cons of these decisions to help you narrow down your options when it comes to choosing the right school for you.
2. Research the Internet for schools that match your criteria regarding location, curriculum and budget. As of 2010, you can expect an Oriental Medicine school to cost a minimum of $5,000 per year. Many Oriental medicine schools are accredited by the United States Department of Education, giving students the option to apply for federal financial aid. This process takes time and should be started as soon as you know what school you will be attending, in order to meet any financial aid deadlines for the academic year you are applying for.
3. Contact the school you have chosen to get a sense of their application fees and documentation required. Most Oriental medicine schools do not require any prior knowledge, but if a school is very specialized and sought after, your chances of getting in may depend on your previous educational background and application essays.
4. Gather up all the information the school requires for your application and send it to their admissions department. Most applications have a non-refundable fee so make sure you are certain of the choice you have made.
5. Buy all the required text books for your program and have a committed and responsible attitude regarding attendance. Oriental medicine education relies entirely on the student being present in school at least 85 percent of the time, since many of the classes rely on a hands-on learning curriculum that is not intended to be made-up or done at home.
6. Immerse yourself fully in your area of study for the entire duration of your program. Studying Oriental medicine is a lifelong process and the more you read and research as an additional tool to your schooling, the more confident you will feel when it comes times to practice with real patients.
7. Study hard for your licensing exam. Each state has different licensing requirements and you should know them before you apply to take the test.
8. Create a business plan and find a place to establish your practice. You may want to research other alternative medicine doctors in your area who may want to share a space, in order to cut down on overhead costs, especially at the beginning of your Oriental medicine career.
9. Promote your practice in local journals and publications and make business cards that you can hand out to friends and family.
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