What is the difference between a medical acupuncturist and a TCM practitioner?
The main difference is in the training. Most TCM practitioners have over 1,500 – 2000 hours of training. While a TCM practitioner does have some western training the majority of their training is in the application of Traditional Chinese medical theory. A medical acupuncturist only receives rudimentary training in point locations and symptoms during a 100-300 hour course with no training in TCM theory. Without the correct use of the theory and pattern diagnosis acupuncture isn’t as effective.
