Chile Forum

I'm a registered acupuncturist in Alberta. I'm looking to move to Chile and was wondering if I could start practicing or if I have to go through an exam over there to become licensed in Chile first. I have done all the exams and schooling over here so I was hoping it could all just be transferred. I have tried to contact the ministry of health but have heard nothing. Does anyone know who I could contact for more info...?

I don't really know the answer to this, but I do know that my chiropractor, who is from and completed all his studies in the US, also practices acupuncture.
I don't know more than that, as far as certifications, etc. But I assume that he did have to register in some form since he is a legit chiropractor.

Thanks for the info. It's probably not the easiest question to answer. You're probably right that I would have to register with someone. I will keep searching b/c I would love a move to Chile.

I think there are legitimate acupuncturists in Chile. As to chiros doing acupuncture...beware. In the States loads of chiros offer acupuncture in their practices. Most however attended only a short workshop on acupuncture then hung out their shingle. True acupuncturists go to school and train for several years (3-4 yrs.) training in Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture and other related health practices. It is a very refined science. So again, beware of chiros offering acupuncture.
Now this being said I am a true believer in chiropractics. Have utilized chiro care most of my life. As a midwife I often suggest chiro care to my clients. I had a hard time finding a true chiro in Chile however. Most of them have no real training and are NOT real chiros. They have either attended a workshop somewhere or taken an online course. I found a chiro living in Vina that is from the US. He told me about this and said their were only a handful of properly trained chiros in all of Chile. So again buyer beware.

I re-read the posts and realize I overlooked a detail from one comment. If your chiro is from the US and went to chiro college there...then he/she is properly trained. As to the person who wants to move to Chile and is a trained acupuncturist I am sure that the Ministry of Health is the route to go. I will ask my hubby if he can suggest anything else as he is a physician and he is Chilean.

I agree about the chiropractors practicing acupuncture. It is a course that they have to do. I do go to a chiropractor and God love him he is the best. I've done all the training, schooling, exams.... and have been practicing for 5 years. If I do go down there I want to be legit and do all the paperwork if need be. Thanks for asking your hubby. Still no word from the Ministry of Health. It's government so I'm sure it'll be a while.

For a project I was looking into regulations on alternative medicine for work a while back. I remember reading there are regulations for acupuncture, such as having studied a certain number of hours. I did a quick look but did not find the information, however, I know I saw this either on the Ministry of health's site http://www.minsal.cl/ or the Public Health Institute's site http://www.ispch.cl/ so you should be able to find it with some looking around.

Just reactivating this post-as my husband is a licensed acupuncturist in California...and we are also interested in whether or not/how he can practice in Chile,and as importantly-what is the general interest in alternative medicine in Chile? Are people receptive? Can one make a living,(ie,is it similar to the US,where you do alot of marketing and educating people,and you can work in wealthy areas and make money,or treat community clinics and make a liveable wage but not much?) Or,is it mainly treating expats,depending upon your area? Any input on acceptance and medical care in general is appreciated. And,contrary to popular belief,California is not that alternative-medicine friendly. most people we know have limited experience and are somewhat skeptical-though willing to try if it's someone they know and trust who has recommended or knows the practitioner.(Although,depends on the area-certainly in san francisco and marin county,it is extremely popular/common.) Anyway,curious if one would say Chile has the same atittudeoverall towards alternative therapies,in particular acupuncture.

You can find out about the regulation of acupuncture here: http://www.redsalud.gov.cl/portal/url/p ... ntura.html