What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic healing approach that originated from China more than 2,500 years ago. The TCM philosophy believes that all organs in the body are composed of five elements; fire, earth, metal, water and wood. This treatment can assist a patient to restore the energy balance of the opposing forces of energy; yin and yang in their body. Some of the complementary health modalities that it incorporates include:
Chinese medicine practitioners aim to diagnose, treat and prevent the following problems:
- Fibromyalgia
- Respiratory issues
- Neuropathy
- Infertility
- Digestive issues
- Neurological disorders
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Osteoarthritis
- Chronic pain
- Stress
- Cerebral palsy
- Depression
- Migraines
In Adelaide, the two main professional industry associations that govern Chinese Medicine practitioners are:
- Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA)
- Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA)
Should you complete a TCM course?
Do you strive to have a career where you get to help improve the well-being of others through the power of traditional and natural medicine? If this matches your career ambitions then pursuing a career within the area of Traditional Chinese Medicine would be the perfect next step for you! Some of the skills and attributes that employers are looking for when hiring TCM practitioners include:
- An ability to quickly retain information since you will be exploring a vast range of health modalities, therapies and treatment methods.
- Strong listening skills to accurately assess a patient's illness or problem and its root causes.
- Clear and easy to understand communication manner where you can describe to patient's your proposed treatment method as well as its benefits.
- A patient and compassionate attitude in order to build trust with your clients.
If there is an alignment between your professional goals and interpersonal skills with those mentioned above, continue reading to discover the course and career options available for you in TCM in Adelaide.
What are the course and study options for TCM practitioners in Adelaide?
If you are looking to pursue a career in TCM, you will firstly need to obtain an undergraduate degree specialising in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In Adelaide, some of the course options that are available for you include:
- Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Many educational institutions offer different delivery methods, depending on your preferred learning style such as on-campus, online or blended learning delivery options.
During the course of your degree, you will learn about all the key aspects of TCM from teachers who have had extensive experience working or researching in this field. Some of the topics that you will explore include Chinese medical theory, biomedical sciences, pharmacology and physiology. Additionally, you will learn more about the role of a professional Chinese medicine practitioner in the Australian healthcare system such as ethics, legislative frameworks and small business management.
Alongside your studies, you will be required to complete clinical training. This will give you practical skills in the diagnosis and clinical management of clients dealing with a wide range of health disorders.
At the top of this page, you will find a list of some TCM courses available in Adelaide. Once you shortlist your preferred courses, you can get in touch with the school directly if you have any questions about their tuition fees, the registration process of the curriculum.
What happens after you complete your TCM course in Adelaide?
As a graduate in Traditional Chinese Medicine, you will need to join the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) in order to get a permit that allows you to work as a TCM practitioner. This will allow you to work as a primary healthcare practitioner in a specialised TCM office or a multidisciplinary workplace environment with other practitioners from a range of disciplines. Additionally, all TCM practitioners are governed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
As you start to feel confident in your skills and abilities as a practitioner in Chinese Medicine, you should consider establishing your own private practice. This will allow you to retain more control over your business and client management. Natural Therapy Pages can also assist you along the way by letting you list your in-person TCM consultations or online services on the practitioner listing page. This is a great way for you to drive traffic and awareness to your business and services.
Finally, it is highly encouraged that you enrol into university again and complete a postgraduate degree. Some of the options available for you include a Master of Chinese Medicine or a Master of Applied Science. This will enable you to discover new ways to treat people and stay up to date with the latest industry trends. It will also give you an extra career alternative; pursuing a career in research and teaching.
