How to Find a Reputable Acupuncturist

Accupunture is an ancient Chinese treamtent that is still used effectively today to relieve pain and restore health.

Acupuncture is a traditional form of Chinese treatment that involves inserting needles at different pressure points to relieve pain and restore overall health. Acupuncture has become quite popular in the west and around the world. You can reap the benefits of acupuncture alongside any complementary treatment without any side effects in most cases. While acupuncture might be beneficial, the quality of the treatment largely depends on the skill of the acupuncturist and his level of expertise. It is best to find the most reputable acupuncturist before undergoing any treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Online directories
• Referrals
• Phone book

Instructions

1. Ask family and friends if they known of any reputable acupuncturist in your area. Word of mouth is always best as you can determine the experience of an acupuncturist by how she treated her previous patients.

2. Ask your doctor, naturopath or chiropractor if they know of a good acupuncturist. Since your doctor is an expert in his field, it is most likely that any acupuncturist he recommends will be qualified.

3. Search a government website or expert resource to find an acupuncturist online. A good search website such as the one provided by the American Academy of Medical Acupuncturists can easily help you find a good acupuncturist in your area.

4. Look for credentials to see where the acupuncturist has studied or trained and for how long. The United States requires all licensed acupuncturists to acquire a minimum amount of training and hours including a three to four year master's degree in oriental medicine from an accredited institution or have worked as an apprentice for at least four years.

5. Check to see if the acupuncturist has a L.Ac. or Diploma.Ac. after her name. This means that the acupuncturist has fulfilled the required qualifications and taken a state board exam that licenses her to practice in their particular state.

6. Look to see if the acupuncturist holds any association with a reputable agency such as NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), which has an online, searchable directory of certified acupuncturists as well.

7. Find out if the practitioner is a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncturists as this academy requires a minimum of 200 hours of training. You can also search their online database to find a practitioner near you.

Tips & Warnings

• Discuss the type and length of treatment with the acupuncturist before you go for a session. This will leave you more prepared for the appointment.

• Ask the acupuncturist how much experience they have in treating your condition before setting an appointment.

• Do not find an acupuncturist from the phone book or other resources without first determining his level of expertise. If you do find a practitioner through the phone book, he should have their qualifications listed.

• If an acupuncturist claims to heal in just one session, it is best to look for another reputable acupuncturist as it usually takes at least 3 sessions with an acupuncturist to see signs of change.

References

• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Acupuncture: An Introduction
• BetterHealth: Acupuncture
• SelfGrowth: How to Find a Good Acupuncturist

Resources

• American Academy of Medical Accupunture: Find an Accupunturist Near You
• Acufinder: Search Acupuncturists
• Acupages: Licensed Acupuncturist Directory