Acupuncturist - Tasks and specialisations
Kaiwero Ngira Hauora
Tasks & duties
Acupuncturists may do some or all of the following:
- consult with patients about their health or injuries
- examine patients and diagnose health problems using the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, tongue observation and by checking the pulse
- discuss treatment options with patients
- locate the acupuncture points on the body
- select needles to insert and then remove from the patient's body
- use and prescribe herbal medicines to treat patients
- give dietary advice, tuina (massage), moxibustion (heat), cupping (suction), exercise therapy and laser therapy
- refer patients to other health services when necessary
- keep patient records.
Paddy McBride treating a client
Locating a pressure point to put a needle in the foot
Updated
October 2008
