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Step 1
Ask your physician for a referral. Acupuncturists are becoming main stream, and many western-trained doctors have chosen the acupuncturist they rely upon for referrals just as they've chosen other specialists for referrals. If this doesn't work, asking friends and family often leads to referrals, and most acupuncturists are listed in online directories.
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Step 2
Check the education credentials. Newer acupuncturists will come from recognized and accredited 3 or 4 degree programs or attend hundreds of hours of training at accredited institutions. If there is no accredited education, possibly because the acupuncturist learned the art decades ago, ask about affiliations and experience with teaching, ongoing learning, hospital systems or other interactions with mainstream medicine.
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Step 3
Do about 30-60 minutes of research. A great resource is the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (easy Google search). This is a great explanation by a top western medicine organization about what acupuncture can do for you.
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Step 4
Call the acupuncturist and ask to speak with him/her. If he/she is unavailable, ask receptionist for a call back or leave voice mail. Most acupuncturists prefer to spend quality time with patients and will be happy to talk about your condition and how they can help. Here is where you can apply the research of step three to create common understanding.
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Step 5
Try it. Acupuncture is subtle but powerful, and it works with your body. The needles hardly hurt or don't hurt at all, and the experience is usually low risk and relaxing.
