Acupuncturist
Acupuncturists insert needles into pressure points on clients' bodies to help with stress and improve their wellbeing.
Working Hours
37–39
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As an acupuncturist you could:
- learn about your client's lifestyle, diet, emotions and symptoms
- diagnose problems and decide what action to take
- choose points on the body to be treated and insert needles
- refer clients to medical practitioners
- keep records
Skills needed
- knowledge of medicine and dentistry
- knowledge of psychology
- sensitivity and understanding
- customer service skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to use your initiative
- counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through specialist courses run by professional bodies.
Career progression
With experience you could move into teaching or research.