The requirement for acupuncture education and training can vary state-by-state. Most states require that Acupuncturists be certified by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). An NCCAOM certified Acupuncturist has, "completed 4 years of Acupuncture schooling at the master's degree level in an Acupuncture program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM)". They must also pass board exams to demonstrate their competency.
Some states, such as California, have additional requirements and their own board exam. Dr. Anne passed the California board exam and is licensed in California and Missouri.
In addition, many acupuncturists now have doctoral training. There are many variations for a doctoral degree for Acupuncture with different titles attached such as DAOM (Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) which is a two-year Doctoral program and DACM (Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine) – a one-year program. Dr. Anne is a DAOM. There are also PhDs which are awarded to practitioners who have done doctorate level training with a research focus.
In some states you may see Acupuncture offered by other healthcare providers. It may be called Acupuncture or Dry Needling. In most of these situations the healthcare provider, such as a chiropractor, medical doctor, nurse or physical therapist has elected to take a 100-300 hour certification class so that they can provide base level acupuncture services. Dr. Anne has six years of acupuncture education.
Dr. Anne completed her DAOM doctoral degree in California and had a busy practice in California before moving back home to St. Louis. She adores helping her patients with natural medicine knowing that she’s healing them on so many levels. Dr. Anne has over ten thousand hours of experience treating patients with acupuncture and is considered an expert acupuncturist. You may come in to see her for your back pain and also find that your sleep is better, your stress levels are lower and you’re feeling more in balance than ever before. Make an appointment to see how acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help you, too.
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