Acupuncture has been gradually gaining popularity all over the world since the last few years and has become one of the most successful forms of treatments among the alternative medicines. Nowadays, due to its high success rate, many people have started demanding acupuncture treatments and advice from their local doctors and practitioners. A number of acupuncture schools have been set up all over the United States recently and are growing continuously at a high rate. The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) and the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM), which were founded in 1982, accredit them. Till date, there are about 50 schools, which have received such accreditation. The first step in training to be an acupuncturist would be to learn a complete course on acupuncture and its methods from one of the reputed acupuncture institutes.

Information about the right techniques for an acupuncture treatment is one of the most important lessons to be learnt while training to be an acupuncturist. An acupuncturist must discuss the history of the problem with every patient and must analyze and verify its causes and plan the method of treatment accordingly, before every session, after complete and proper physical examination. The right acupuncture points must be selected and it must be ensured that the needles are well sterilized and inserted on that point at a proper depth. The duration for which the needles remain inserted inside the points must also be decided with care. Other acupuncture related treatments such as electrical stimulation, laser therapy and moxibustion must also be mastered.

It is important that experts in the field supervise the work of a trainee before he/she starts practicing acupuncture on patients. With the right knowledge and keen interest, one can train to be a good acupuncturist.