What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic healing method that originated from China more than 2,500 years ago. The purpose of this form of treatment is to support different body systems by maintaining the balance of harmony of yin and yang. It incorporates a variety of complementary health modalities such as:
Chinese Medicine practitioners assist people dealing with a variety of different conditions and problems such as:
- Chronic pain
- Infertility
- Osteoarthritis
- Stress
- Cerebral palsy
- Digestive issues
- Neurological disorders
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Migraines
- Fibromyalgia
- Respiratory issues
- Neuropathy
In Perth, TCM practitioners can join either the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA) or the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA).
Should you complete a TCM course?
Do you want a career where you get to learn more about the healing powers of TCM? If this sounds like something that you want to delve into, you should complete a course in TCM, which is the first step in kickstarting your career as a Chinese medicine practitioner. For you to thrive and succeed as a TCM practitioner, it is necessary that you possess the following characteristics:
- Good analytical skills to accurately diagnose a client's health problems through looking at their medical tests, physical observations and lifestyle choices.
- A patient and compassionate attitude are an important means of building trust with your clients.
- Ability to easily retain information in order to be able to quickly recognise and apply the relevant TCM techniques according to the client’s problems.
- Ability to clearly communicate the traditional Chinese medicine treatment plans to clients in a way that is easy for them to understand.
If there is a correspondence between your qualities and personal interests with those required in TCM, continue reading to learn more about your study and professional options in Perth.
What are the course and study options for TCM practitioners in Perth?
In order to be a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner in Perth, you must complete a 4-year undergraduate course. There are many options when it comes to what you can study to meet these requirements, depending on your interests. This includes a Bachelor of Health Science, a Bachelor of Applied Science where you will be required to major in TCM or a Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Additionally, educational institutions that offer TCM courses also offer different learning delivery options to suit your preferred learning style such as classroom teaching and online learning.
Initially, you will learn more about the theoretical aspects of TCM, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine and how to apply these therapeutic methods. Additionally, you will gain in-depth insight into a range of biomedical science topics ranging from physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology. Alongside your studies, you will need to complete clinical studies and training where you will learn the practical skills of how to make a diagnosis and treat a wide range of disorders and conditions.
At the top of this page, you will find a vast range of TCM schools near you in Perth. This will allow you to compare your options and shortlist the courses that best suit your learning and career goals. If you have any further questions regarding their curriculum, course fees or prerequisites, you should enquire with the school directly on their page.
What happens after you complete your TCM course in Perth?
Once you graduate with your undergraduate degree, you will need to join the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA). This will permit you to work as a primary healthcare practitioner in a specialised TCM office. TCM practitioners can also work in a multidisciplinary setting where they can work alongside chiropractors, physiotherapists, medical doctors or naturopaths. Additionally, all TCM practitioners in Perth are governed by the regulatory body, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
When you gain more experience working in the TCM field and refine your techniques, you should consider starting your own private practice. This is a rewarding career path option as it gives you the autonomy to decide how you conduct your practice, manage it and the hours you work. Natural Therapy Pages can assist you to ascertain more clients and traffic to your services by letting you list your face-to-face TCM services or online consultations on the practitioner listing page.
You can also enrol in a postgraduate degree such as a Master of Chinese Medicine or a Master of Applied Science specialising in Chinese Herbal Medicine or Acupuncture. This will allow you to discover new ways to treat people, important for your professional practice. Additionally, further education can also allow you to enter the research field.
