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Acupuncturist

Kaiwero Ngira Hauora

Acupuncturists give general health advice and treat patients using therapies such as electronic and needle acupuncture, cupping, skin scraping (gua sha), the heating of acupuncture points (moxibustion) and tuina (massage).

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Secondary education

NCEA Level 2 is required to enter the New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine training. A tertiary entrance qualification is required to enter New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine training. Useful subjects include biology, chemistry, Chinese, English and health education.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Bachelor's degree

Useful experience

Useful experience for acupuncturists includes:

  • work in traditional Chinese medicine or naturopathy
  • work in the health sector
  • counselling work.

What you will do

Acupuncturists may do some or all of the following:

  • consult with patients about their health, diet and exercise
  • examine patients and diagnose health problems using the principles of traditional Chinese medicine
  • discuss treatment options with patients
  • locate acupuncture points and insert acupuncture needles
  • use and prescribe herbal medicines to treat patients
  • give dietary advice, tuina (massage), moxibustion (heat), cupping (suction), scraping, exercise therapy and laser therapy
  • keep accurate patient records
  • refer patients to other health services.

Skills and knowledge

Acupuncturists need to have knowledge of:

  • traditional Chinese medicine and its philosophy, theory and practice
  • how to diagnose illness
  • acupuncture, massage and scraping techniques
  • Western medical theories about the human body and how it functions, treatment procedures and pharmacology
  • acupuncture professional code of ethics.

Acupuncturists running their own practice will also need small business skills.

Pay

Acupuncturists usually earn

$48K-$100K

per year

Job opportunities
Average
Chances of getting a job as an acupuncturist are average due to stable numbers of people in the role.
Length of training
4
years of training required.

Industry

Health

Acupuncturists give general health advice and treat patients using therapies such as electronic and needle acupuncture, cupping, skin scraping (gua sha), the heating of acupuncture points (moxibustion) and tuina (massage).

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

To become an acupuncturist you need to have a Bachelor of Health Science (Level 7) in either acupuncture or Chinese medicine. This degree is available from:

  • New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine.

The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children. 

Chances of getting a job

Numbers of acupuncturists steady, but may increase

Demand for acupuncturists has been steady but may start to grow. This is due to:

  • ACC funding more visits to acupuncturists
  • the growing acceptance of Chinese medicine in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 651 acupuncturists worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Acupuncturists make own opportunities

Most acupuncturists are self-employed, so how much work you get depends on your ability to find clients.

Opportunities are best for acupuncturists who can promote their business well and find clients through agencies like ACC.

Most acupuncturists self-employed

Most acupuncturists are self-employed, but some work for:

  • acupuncture schools
  • hospitals and public medical practices
  • private medical practices.

Find out more about training

NZ College of Chinese Medicine 
0800 888 518 - enrolment@chinesemedicine.ac.nz - www.chinesemedicine.ac.nz
NZ School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (NZSATCM)
- Auckland Campus
(09) 630 3546 - admin@nzsao.com - www.acupuncture.ac.nz
- Wellington Campus
(04) 473 9005 - admin@nzsao.com - www.acupuncture.ac.nz

Progression and specialisations

Acupuncturists may move into training, research or education roles.

Acupuncturists may specialise in:

  • sports injuries
  • fertility and pregnancy
  • aged care
  • cancer.

 

Working conditions

Acupuncturists:

  • vary their working hours to suit patient demand, which may involve working evenings and weekends
  • work in private clinics, community health centres, sports institutes or from their own homes
  • may occasionally travel to visit patients in their homes.

Physical Requirements

Acupuncturists need to be healthy and have good upper arm strength for massage.

Useful personal qualities

Acupuncturists need to be:

  • patient and accurate
  • empathetic
  • clean and tidy 
  • observant and responsible
  • good communicators
  • good at problem solving
  • well organised
  • able to inspire confidence in others.

Industry

Health

Acupuncturists give general health advice and treat patients using therapies such as electronic and needle acupuncture, cupping, skin scraping (gua sha), the heating of acupuncture points (moxibustion) and tuina (massage).

Similar jobs in this industry

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