If you are new to acupuncture, many of its terminologies might sounds foreign. It is mostly because acupuncture is originated in China, it is being used for thousands of years. And most recent researches found some exiting evidence of its helping many aspect of health issues, including backpain( which is now covered by many insurance and Medicare ). It usually involves insertion of very thin needles to some specific points from the surface of the body and with the stimulation of these tiny needles, the body will automatically react to improve the conditions these needle intended to resolve.
When looking for an acupuncturist, check their credentials, most states has medical board that specifically credentialing acupuncturist, as in Massachusetts, the states
Board of Registration in Medicine oversees the licensing of acupuncturists. An acupuncturist needs to maintain continual education and good standing to maintain his or her license just as other healthcare professionals.
There are many types of acupuncture services that’s available to different needs. In large hospitals, acupuncture is usually offered in addition to other services, especially popular in Cancer centers. Local hospitals that offer acupuncture treatment is growing, such as MGH as part of integrative care team. Boston Children’s Hospital Medical Acupuncture Service; Dana-farber Zakim Center ( you will see the well respected Acupuncturist, Zhiping Li treating a patient on this page);
Beth Israel Deaconess offers acupuncture treatment for Sexual Dysfunction too.
Many acupuncturist works in private clinics outside of the hospitals. The full service acupuncture treatment usually consists of a comprehensive health history and issues about the specific concerns that need to be addressed. Then the needles will be inserted according to the diagnoses( these diagnoses are quite different than the western diagnoses that we used to see, they are based on the traditional Chinese medical theory Which the acupuncture points are based upon, traditional Chinese medical theory views the Mind, Body and environment are the integrated one, it tries to address them accordingly). These full service acupuncture treatment usually lasts about one hour or so.
Some acupuncturists and clinic offers community based acupuncture treatment. They are typically fast and quick relief of some typical issues or for reduce stress. The community style treatment typically are performed in a group setting and only access the acupoint on the exposed skin such as scalp, ear, arms and legs. these treatment will typically do less comprehensive diagnose and might be in very fast pace.
As always, word of mouth are the best way to find a good acupuncturist. Your doctors office, college or friend might have done some treatment with an acupuncturist and recommend one to you. Search engine is a way to find some one, keep in mind that whoever pays more get to the top, some of the best acupuncturist never pay that money to advertise and their appointment are harder to get( some might need 2-3 weeks waiting list to get in as new patient, just like any other good health care specialist). Another way to find an acupuncturist is to search for your insurance network’s specialist list, any acupuncturist in the coverage will be listed there, and you can start from there to find your acupuncturist.
Many patients will stay with the same acupuncturist for many years to address their healthcare issues over the years, good acupuncturist is always a jewel to find and keep in your list of healthcare providers.
