Why Become An Acupuncturist?
In July 2023 we ran our first ever NCA acupuncture conference "Heart-Mind", a real gathering of the clans! Eminent speakers, graduates, students, and practitioners from all over the UK (and beyond) travelled to York for a weekend of inspiration, learning and connecting. We took this perfect opportunity to ask them - "Why become an acupuncturist?"
Robert Maida - 2008 gradate, doctor and Leeds practitioner
"I absolutely love being an acupuncturist - it is a very rewarding, varied and dynamic profession. I daily enjoy the variety of seeing people from all walks of life and the myriad conditions that they bring from respiratory, cardiac, musculo-skeletal through to mental-emotional and spiritual and I find that acupuncture can have a positive impact on nearly all of them. It is rewarding in that it starts working immediately: calming them and activating their self-healing processes which you can gratifyingly tell from the dialogue had by them telling you how they feel, by seeing the change in their demeanour or simply by feeling the change in their pulse. Acupuncture doesn’t have the systemic side effects that I used to see when I was a doctor prescribing drugs it is amazing what magic, health and peace an acupuncture needle holds."
"So why become an acupuncturist? To heal people holistically."
Dr Beverley De Valois - eminent acupuncturist, researcher, author and conference speaker
"Acupuncture transforms lives! It certainly did mine. Having acupuncture treatment improved my health and it inspired me to become an acupuncturist. Now, I can help people improve their health and their lives. Being an acupuncturist also opened doors to professional developments I never imagined possible - I became a researcher, a PhD, a lecturer, and an author."
"So why become an acupuncturist? To help others and to open the door to a world of discovery!"
Beverley is the Author of "Acupuncture and Cancer Survivorship: Recovery, Renewal and Transformation."
Jenn Eatherington - graduate
"Studying Acupuncture has been something I have wanted to do for several years and as I progress into my third year of study, I am incredibly excited to be on the final stretch of becoming a practitioner. Whilst studying at the NCA I have learnt so much about the human mind and body from a Chinese medicine perspective – a completely refreshing and inspiring foundation of knowledge which will equip me to treat patients with a variety of health conditions. This is the start of a new career for me and one that I know will offer me fulfilment on a whole new level. I now feel even more encouraged to be a part of a future where we can continue to bring acupuncture to those that want to consider another way of looking after their health and wellbeing."
"So why become an acupuncturist? To feel a sense of fulfilment in your career."
Hear from Jenn as she reflects on the first year of her acupuncture course
Jill Storstein (right) - graduate and Scottish highlands practitioner
"I chose to be an acupuncturist for many reasons, the number one reason being to improve my quality of life which it has done enormously. It can be hugely rewarding, making profound differences in people’s lives. It is constantly interesting with plenty of scope to pursue areas of special interest. It is also incredibly flexible, retraining as an acupuncturist meant I could move away from the bind of living in or near a city and being my own boss means I can choose my own hours to fit in with family life and around my own selfcare practice."
"So why become an acupuncturist? To take control of your working life."
