How To Choose An Acupuncturist

Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been practiced for thousands of years. It’s based on the theory that unseen energy called “chi” flows through our bodies and can become blocked or imbalanced. By inserting hair-thin needles into specific points on the body, acupuncturists can unblock this energy in order to restore balance and promote healing. The benefits are wide-ranging—from easing stress to helping with chronic pain, fertility issues, and more. Acupuncture is becoming increasingly popular in western society as people realize its effectiveness in treating many conditions without side effects or addictive properties like prescription drugs do. However, choosing an acupuncturist can be daunting because there are so many options out there! To narrow down your choices:

Find out what you can about Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) and the profession.
Before choosing an acupuncturist, you should be familiar with the history of acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM), as well as the profession itself. For example, did you know that acupuncture started in China? The earliest written record dates back to around 100 BC. Acupuncture was practiced by a variety of practitioners including physicians, medical scholars, martial artists, and Buddhist monks. An acupuncturist would have worked alongside other healthcare providers such as herbalists or massage therapists. In ancient times there were no hospitals or clinics; it was not uncommon for patients to see multiple doctors during their course of treatment. This practice is called “tangke” or “zisun” depending on what part of China one lived in; both terms mean “to combine” because each practitioner worked collaboratively together toward a common goal: healing!

Find out if your physician, friends, or family members can recommend any practitioners.
There are many ways to try acupuncture and find out if it’s a good fit for you. Most people start by seeing their doctor or their family physician, who can recommend an acupuncturist in their area. If your doctor has no experience with acupuncture but is open-minded about exploring new modalities of treatment, they may be able to help you find a practitioner near your home or workplace. Although most physicians have very little knowledge about acupuncture, there are some who do have extensive experience in the field—and these physicians may also be open to sharing their knowledge with patients who are interested in trying this practice for the first time. Many times, these physicians will even offer special discounts on sessions because they know what important role practitioners play when helping patients regain control over chronic pain conditions like arthritis or back pain (to name just two).

Make a list based on recommendations from your research.
Ask friends, family, and co-workers. You’re bound to know someone who has had acupuncture or knows someone who has. If they recommend their acupuncturist, it’s probably worth a try. Your doctor can also be a good resource for recommendations. They may have worked with an acupuncturist in the past or know of one that you should check out. Look for rapport between you and your practitioner when making the decision about which one is right for you. While this may seem like an obvious sign that they are a good fit for you, it’s important not to overlook rapport as an indicator of what will make your experience positive or negative during treatment sessions with them at home on your own schedule (which is why I didn’t list this as a step.

Check references.
When you’re considering an acupuncturist, it’s a good idea to ask for references. At the very least, you should request the names of three people who have seen this particular practitioner and get contact information from them. Then call each reference and ask about their experience with the acupuncturist in question. Don’t stop there! It’s also helpful to find out how long ago it was that they saw this person (it may be too soon for you), what kind of problems they were experiencing (some ailments require more care than others), and whether or not they were satisfied with their treatment (if yes, why?). By asking questions like these, you’ll be able to determine if the acupuncturist is right for you—and whether or not they’d make an ideal fit in your life.

Determine if he or she is credentialed.
Credentialing is important for all medical professionals, including acupuncturists. However, just because someone is credentialed does not mean they are good at what they do. In fact, there are many terrible doctors who have earned their credentials and there are plenty of great doctors that don’t have the time or money to get them. In this case, it’s best to look for a doctor of oriental medicine (DOM) or doctor of acupuncture (DAOM). These two designations require a significant amount more education than most other types of acupuncturists receive—and it shows in their work!

Consider distance as a factor in choosing an acupuncturist.
If you live in a big city, you may have many options to choose from. If you live in a small town, your choices may be limited. If you travel frequently and need help wherever you go, consider an acupuncturist who is close to your travel destinations. Doing some research to find the right person for you will go a long way towards making acupuncture visits successful! The first step to finding a good acupuncturist is to do some research. First and foremost, you want to make sure that your practitioner has a license in the state where he or she practices acupuncture. This can be done by checking out their website or calling them directly for verification. Also, find out what types of insurance they accept and whether they offer sliding scales for those who need financial assistance with treatment costs. If you don’t know any practitioners personally, ask your primary care physician if he or she knows any qualified practitioners in your area (or visit an oriental medicine clinic). You may also want to ask friends and family members if they know of anyone who has tried acupuncture as well—you might get some great recommendations this way! Once you’ve gathered all the information about possible candidates, make a list based on what each person looks like on paper: credentials, experience level (years practicing), education level (what school did they go to?), etc., then compare notes with people who have used that acupuncturist before until one stands out above all others!

I hope that this blog post has helped give you a better idea of what to look for in an acupuncturist. There are many different kinds of practitioners out there, but if you do some research and follow the tips above then you will be on the right track to finding someone who can help you achieve your health goals!