Professional Register of
Traditional Chinese Medicine
A helpful FAQ on how to find a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner.
Choosing the right Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner is an important step in your healthcare journey. With so many therapies and practitioners available, it can be difficult to know who is properly trained and what kind of Acupuncture you are actually receiving. The following guide will help you feel confident to find a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who is fully qualified, fully insured, safe, and professional.
One of the first things to be clear about is that not all Acupuncture is TCM Acupuncture. While many modern or simplified forms of Acupuncture exist today, they are not the same as Traditional Chinese Medicine.
TCM Acupuncture is rooted in a complete medical system that has evolved over thousands of years. It is based on, and works on, the Qi within the body to correct underlying patterns of disharmony. A TCM practitioner is trained to diagnose according to this system, and create an individualised treatment plan. Some modern forms of Acupuncture do not use this diagnostic framework, and do not work directly with Qi.
If you are specifically seeking authentic TCM treatment, it is important to choose a practitioner trained in this traditional system.
A reliable way to find a properly trained practitioner is through the Professional Register of Traditional Chinese Medicine (PRTCM). The PRTCM maintains a register of practitioners who have met the required standards of education and clinical training in TCM.
All registered members are:
For those with health insurance, treatment with a PRTCM practitioner may also allow you to claim back a portion of treatment costs, depending on your policy.
The PRTCM website provides a searchable list of registered practitioners. Each listing includes contact details such as phone numbers or email addresses. You can simply find the practitioner closest to your location and contact them directly to arrange an appointment.
Your first visit will usually include a thorough initial consultation, during which the practitioner will ask detailed questions about your health, lifestyle, and symptoms. This allows them to make a TCM diagnosis and develop a personalised treatment plan.
Treatment may include Acupuncture alone or in combination with other TCM therapies such as:
The first appointment typically lasts from half an hour up to one hour, while follow-up treatments are usually around 30 minutes.
Costs vary between practitioners but generally range from €60 to €70 per treatment. Initial appointments are often slightly more expensive due to the longer consultation time.
Finding the right practitioner ensures that your experience of Traditional Chinese Medicine is both safe and effective. By choosing a fully qualified PRTCM practitioner, you can be confident that you are receiving authentic TCM care grounded in professional training and time-tested principles.
