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Acupuncture is a key part of traditional Chinese medicine and has been practiced for the last 5,000 years for a variety of medical purposes. Acupuncture has been shown to treat and prevent disease, relieve pain and cure a variety of disorders. Acupuncture literally means "needle piercing" and is the practice of inserting fine, sterile needles into the skin in order to stimulate specific points in the body called acupoints, or acupuncture points. A typical acupuncture treatment may also include the use of heat, pressure, friction, suction or controlled impulses of electromagnetic energy to stimulate the acupoints.
Acupuncture has existed for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a method of healing and treating various illnesses and pains. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists acupuncture as a form of treatment for more than 40 medical conditions. WHO also recommends education and training requirements, and in the United States, each state has its own legal requirements for becoming a licensed acupuncturist. However, similar to a doctor, a good acupuncturist requires more than a certification and license.
Acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific points on the body in order to create balance, thus improving health. This practice originated in China 2,000 years ago and is commonly used for a wide variety of ailments. Acupuncture, like Western medicine, requires a considerable amount of training to develop an appropriate level of knowledge and experience to be able to treat clients safely and effectively.
As a relatively new field of treatment in the United States, acupuncturist educational requirements vary, depending on the state, from apprenticeship to post-graduate degrees. About 40 states have established standards to become a certified acupuncturist.
If the idea of seeking pain relief by having someone stick you with a bunch of tiny needles sounds crazy, perhaps you should learn more about acupuncturists and what they do. Acupuncture is actually a very ancient health practice, and according to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, more people have been successfully treated with acupuncture than all other forms of healthcare practiced over the last 2,000 years, so it is definitely something worth looking into.
Choosing an acupuncturist is much like choosing any other medical practitioner: you want someone with whom you feel comfortable entrusting your health. Look for an acupuncturist who is certified, experienced and interested in treating you with a holistic approach.
Acupuncturists need a high school diploma and, depending on the state, an associate's degree. Become an acupuncturist with tips from a licensed acupuncturist in this free video acupuncture.
Acupuncture has been used in Oriental medicine for centuries. Those who study it believe that energy travels through the body in pathways known as meridians. When a pathway is blocked, illness is the result. Acupuncture aims to clear these pathways and restore health via the insertion of thin needles in various parts of the body. Acupuncture is best performed by trained acupuncturists.
