What is the difference between a Chinese Medicine Practitioner (CMP) and an Acupunturist?
Acupuncture is a global term recognized to represent Chinese Medicine, but this is somewhat of a mistake in nomenclature. Acupuncture is a modality found under the umbrella of Chinese Medicine. Along with Acupuncture, other modalities include Moxabustion (a special herb that is burned to promote circulation), Cupping (suction cups that help release soft tissue and pull out toxins from the muscle layer), Gua Sha (a scraping technique that brings fresh blood and oxygen to the surface to release toxins), Tui Na (Chinese deep tissue massage), herbal prescriptions, and life counseling. Unfortunately, one of the other reasons the term acupuncturist is used is to reduce the science of Chinese medicine to a simple technique or technical profession. The reality is that CMPs attend medical school for between 4-5 years of intensive study and have to do a residency in the last year of school.
Related Questions
- How do I know if a school of Chinese herbology or traditional Chinese medicine will adequately prepare me to become an effective practitioner?
- What is the difference between a Chinese Medicine Practitioner (CMP) and an Acupunturist?
- How do I know who is a reputable qualified chinese medicine practitioner?
