What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a healing method that aims to support different body systems by maintaining the balance of harmony of yin and yang. This subsequently builds the body's immunity from potential illnesses and balances the energy flow running in the body's different meridians. This incorporates a range of complementary health modalities such as:
TCM practitioners assist people dealing with a variety of different conditions such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Neuropathy
- Infertility
- Digestive issues
- Neurological disorders
- Insomnia
- Cerebral palsy
- Osteoarthritis
- Chronic pain
- Stress
- Fibromyalgia
- Respiratory issues
- Migraines
In Brisbane, TCM practitioners can join one of the following industry bodies:
- Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA)
- Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA)
Should you complete a TCM course?
Are you interested in learning about the healing powers of TCM? If this is something that you want to explore in-depth in your educational or professional career, it is highly recommended that you pursue a degree in TCM. To succeed as a TCM practitioner, it is necessary that you have the following characteristics:
- Strong analytical skills when diagnosing a client's health problems through looking at their medical tests, physical observations and lifestyle choices.
- An empathetic and compassionate attitude when building trust with your clients.
- Strong communication skills to clearly describe the proposed treatment plans to clients and address any concerns they have.
- High attention to detail and accuracy when prescribing natural medicines to clients.
What are the course and study options for TCM practitioners in Brisbane?
For you to be accredited by the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA), you will need to complete a 4-year undergraduate degree. Some of the options available for you include a Bachelor of Health Science or a Bachelor of Applied Science with a specialisation in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In terms of the delivery methods, you are able to complete it either in-person or online depending on your schedule and preferred learning pace.
Throughout your educational journey, you will learn about a variety of topics. This includes biomedical science like physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology. Additionally, you will learn about professional practice conduct like ethics, counselling, legislative frameworks and small business management. The final two years will focus on you gaining practical experience and improving your clinical skills. This is usually done through an intensive internship at a teaching clinic where you will need to collect and analyse information within a clinical setting.
If you are ready to begin this rewarding career path as a TCM practitioner, simply scroll up to see all the TCM course options available in the Brisbane region. For any further information regarding their curriculum, accreditation or course fees you can contact the educational institution directly.
What happens after you complete your TCM course in Brisbane?
After completing your initial qualification, you will need to join the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA). This will give you a permit to work as a primary healthcare practitioner in a specialised TCM office in Brisbane. You can also work in a multidisciplinary clinic which will give you the opportunity to work alongside other complementary healthcare professionals. The regulatory body that governs TCM practitioners in Brisbane is the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
After gaining a couple of years of experience in your field, you will be able to start your own business. This will give you the chance to have full control over how you conduct your business. If this is something that you decide to pursue in the future, Natural Therapy Pages can assist you with driving traffic and clients to your services. This can be achieved through listing your face-to-face TCM services or online consultations via the practitioner listing page.
Finally, if you are interested in pursuing a career in research or want to update your knowledge in TCM, it is highly recommended that you pursue further education. This includes completing a Master of Chinese Medicine or a Master of Applied Science specialising in Chinese Herbal Medicine or Acupuncture.
