Are We in Fear Mode as Acupuncturists?

I have the pleasure of teaching around the country and interacting with acupuncturists on a daily basis. I hear success stories, major milestones, transformations—and lately, a resounding sense of fear. This fear stems from so many questions about our collective identity as acupuncturists. With a good number of acupuncture schools closing their doors, it makes sense that we have a lot of questions. And so far, it doesn’t seem like the questions have simple answers.

• What will the landscape of acupuncture look like in 10 years?

• Will acupuncturists be able to pay off their school loans?

• Why aren’t acupuncture schools doing more to ensure the success of their students?

I think most of us can agree that the medicine we practice is extraordinary. It’s special! It affords our clients an opportunity to heal when many other modalities have failed. The medicine is good medicine. And most acupuncturists are good healthcare providers. That’s why we’re feeling so vulnerable with the instability in our country and our industry right now.

The way I see it, we have three options as acupuncturists:

1. Sit back, do nothing, and see what happens.

2. Complain about all the things that went wrong in acupuncture school and subsequently in practice.

3. Take intentional action.

I believe option three is our only real choice to keep our medicine strong and to bring it to the forefront of human consciousness.

So how do we do that? With limited resources and time, what do we actually have to offer?

Here’s where I think we can start:

1. Become a member of your state organization. 
I can’t stress this enough—when our state boards are strong, we all benefit. Joining is one of the most direct ways we can protect our licenses and shape our profession’s future.

2. Support our national organizations.
 Groups like the ASA and NCCAOM are working to ensure that acupuncture has a seat at the healthcare table. They can only do that if we show up for them.

3. Mentor and uplift new practitioners.
 When we help each other succeed, we all rise. If you’re more experienced, extend a hand. If you’re newer, don’t be afraid to reach out. Connection builds resilience.

4. Educate the public. 
Our patients and communities don’t know what they don’t know. Writing articles, giving talks, or even just sharing on social media goes a long way in raising awareness of our medicine.

5. Collaborate with other providers.
 Bridging the gap between acupuncture and other healthcare systems helps secure our role as essential care providers. The more we integrate, the harder it will be to ignore us.

6. Leave a 5-star review of your school.
 Positive visibility matters. When prospective students see that acupuncture schools have thriving, happy graduates, they’re more likely to join our profession.

7. Keep growing. 
Invest in your continuing education and keep your practice alive with inspiration. Every new skill you bring back to your patients strengthens our medicine as a whole.

Fear is natural, but we don’t have to stay in that mode. We can choose to move the qi. Every step we take to support each other and this medicine helps ensure that in ten years, acupuncture is not only still here, but thriving.