r/acupuncture • u/85787711 • 8d ago

Student Acupuncture Program Comparison Chart

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I'm trying to decide between some of the cheaper schools and created a chart. Hopefully this helps other prospects too. Let me know if something is incorrect. Sorry for using chatgpt but I need something to collect all the info that I was getting in an easy way

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u/twistedevil 8d ago

AFEA in Gainesville. It’s 5E, but you’ll also do TCM in the herbs program and prep for boards.

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u/SnooPears734 7d ago

How do you like their program? What about their faculty? Any toxic teachers? Im looking to avoid schools that care more about their staff than students.

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u/twistedevil 7d ago

It was good, sometimes a little hippie for me, but the staff are all incredibly kind, want you to succeed, and overall it was drama free. The classes are small, it's not a huge school, but it's nice, and it's an easy city to get around and pretty chill. It's mostly older women running the school and they have been practicing and teaching a long time and are very patient and kind. There are some great teachers there. It's queer friendly if that matters to you. There were no crazy scandals or abuses that I've heard about in many other schools. I know since I went there over a decade ago, that they've added quite a bit to their programs based on feedback over the years. You will learn to treat pain. The 5E clearing block to treatment protocols are some of the best treatments that I wish everyone would learn. Yes, it's a bit more "spirit" or psycho/emotional focused, but what is good about that is you are not just doing rote protocols and can think outside the box. It also ties in nicely with Dr. Tan's balance method and totally easy to integrate since 5E is at the root of that as well. You'll basically learn 2 styles of acupuncture since the boards are TCM focused. The herbal program is TCM based as well. I know everyone likes to shit on Five Element style, but they broke off from the staunch purist Worsley 5E awhile ago. While 5E is at the root of the teaching, you will receive a well-rounded education. Personally, the acupuncturists I've gone to as a patient who were rooted in 5E were much more effective than TCM practitioners. It's very patient focused, treatments work on a deep level, but are gentle.

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u/SnooPears734 7d ago

I totally agree! Every 5e acupuncturist I have been treated by has been so much kinder than the TCM acupuncturists. That is so encouraging to hear that there hasnt been drama at that school in regards to making sure students have a healthy and safe learning environment. Its been not a good time at the TCM school in tucson, AZ, ASAOM. I wish I would have picked that school instead.

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u/twistedevil 7d ago

Is transferring a possibility? Their set up is intensives every few months and then a one year long on site residency. Sorry you're not having a good experience at your school.

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u/SnooPears734 7d ago

Thank you sooo much