What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complementary health modality that dates back 2,500 years ago. It is a holistic approach that aims to prevent disease by investigating the imbalance of an individual's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. The aim of this form of treatment is to build the body's immunity from potential illnesses and balance the energy flow running in the body's different meridians. It incorporates complementary health modalities like:
Traditional Chinese Medicine professionals offer valuable treatment plans to assist people dealing with the following health conditions:
- Chronic pain
- Infertility
- Neuropathy
- Migraines
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fibromyalgia
- Stress
- Neurological disorders
- Insomnia
- Cerebral palsy
- Respiratory issues
- Digestive issues
- Osteoarthritis
The Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA) and the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) are TCM industry associations that Melbourne based practitioners can join.
Should you complete a TCM course?
Do you want to pursue a career where you get to help others improve their health and wellbeing through natural medicine? If you answered yes, you should pursue a career within the field of TCM. In order to work as a TCM practitioner in Melbourne, you will need to have the following interpersonal skills:
- An interest in wellbeing and health is important to retain information on a vast range of therapies and treatment methods.
- Good problem-solving skills when evaluating and tracking a client's progress during the whole duration of them implementing the treatment plan.
- Clear communication skills when advising clients on dietary and lifestyle choices.
- A patient and compassionate attitude are an important means of building trust with your clients.
If there is a match between your qualities and interests with those required in the field of TCM, continue reading to learn about your study and career options in Melbourne.
What are the course and study options for TCM practitioners in Melbourne?
To work as a TCM practitioner in Melbourne you will need to complete one of the following undergraduate degrees:
- Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Depending on your preferred learning pace, you can complete your course either on-campus or online.
In the course, you will learn about the terminology, history, principles and diagnosis of TCM. In addition, you will also expand your knowledge in the area of biomedical sciences; anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, pathology and pharmacology. You will also need to complete an internship as a part of your clinical practice training module in the final two years of your degree. This will equip you with the practical skills to accurately conduct a clinical diagnosis.
This page already contains a range of TCM educational courses available for you in Melbourne. After shortlisting your favourite courses, you can get in touch with the educational institution directly to enquire about their term dates, accreditation or curriculum.
What happens after you complete your TCM course in Melbourne?
As a graduate in TCM studies, you will need to register with the Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) in order to work as a licensed practitioner. In Melbourne, there is an expectation that you abide by the regulations set by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) when working as a TCM professional. TCM practitioners are available to work in a specialised TCM clinic or a multidisciplinary work setting where they work with other complementary health professionals like naturopaths, physiotherapists or chiropractors.
If you feel confident in your skills as a TCM practitioner, you should consider starting your own private practice. This will give you a greater degree of control over your business and client management. Natural Therapy Pages can provide you with valuable assistance especially as you start out your business to help you gain new clients by listing your in-person TCM consultations or online services via the practitioner listing page.
If you want to expand your knowledge in TCM or pursue a career path in research you should consider further education. Some postgraduate degree options available for you include a Master of Chinese Medicine or a Master of Applied Science. The advantage of further education is that you can increase your employment opportunities.
