Interested in acupuncture? When deciding on an acupuncturist, it’s essential to find a licensed, experienced practitioner. Here are a few points to keep in mind:
• Not all acupuncturists are created equal. Practitioners who are certified, as opposed to licensed, including some medical doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists, often have 300 hours of training or even much less. This is not the route to go to bolster your chances of success. A qualified acupuncture practitioner undergoes over 2,000 hours of acupuncture and Chinese medicine education, which is to three to four years of master’s level schooling. Never settle for an undertrained acupuncturist. Traditional Chinese medicine is complex and requires knowledge and experience for safety and efficacy.
• Make sure your acupuncturist completed training at a nationally accredited school of acupuncture and is willing to show you their credentials.
• If you are under the care of a medical professional, your acupuncturist should be willing to work in tandem with other practitioners to ensure a comprehensive treatment. Always keep all doctors in the loop.
• Avoid acupuncturists who make unbelievable claims, such as, “95% of my patients with arthritis are cured.” A true professional would know that the length of treatment and success rates vary depending on the individual.
• Choose a practitioner who will explain the process, theory, and treatment plan to you. They should be willing to answer any questions you have.
• Take some of the guesswork out of your quest to find a suitable professional by visiting the TryAcupuncture.org network of qualified acupuncturists. We only connect patients with fully qualified, licensed acupuncturists. We prescreen and hand select all of the practitioners in our network. Find someone you have a rapport with and start on the path to wellness today.
