Finding an acupuncturist can be a daunting experience if you have never used acupuncture therapy. There are a few points you should look out for before going ahead with treatment to ensure the practitioner is suitable and the treatment meets your requirements.

Types Of Acupuncture

Few people realize that there are various types of acupuncture available. These include scalp acupuncture, Korean Hand acupuncture, Japanese acupuncture, cosmetic acupuncture, ear acupuncture and Chinese acupuncture. These different types of acupuncture work well for certain conditions, such as scalp acupuncture is more effective in treating the nervous system whereas ear acupuncture can be effective for giving up smoking, losing weight and for help in quitting addictions. So when you are looking for an acupuncturist make sure they offer treatments that can help your condition.

What Is Their Specialty?

The practitioner may offer one or more types of acupuncture but may also specialize in a certain area. Some may specialize in muscular pain, stress, help in giving up smoking or infertility. A practitioner should be asked what they specialize in and whether they have suitable experience in addressing your symptoms and ailments.

Does The Acupuncturist Have A License?

Some acupuncturists are also doctors and have medical experience but don’t presume the practitioner is experienced or indeed trained. Ask to see certificates or client testimonials and ask about education and work history if you are unsure about a practitioner’s training.

Also check to see how much specific acupuncture training they have had. Some only meet minimum requirements to get certified and have only had for example, 50 hours training. Some chiropractors may offer acupuncture again meeting minimum training requirements in order to get certified but not experienced enough to offer a well-rounded acupuncture service.

For those who are licensed acupuncturists, training is approximately 1,800 hours of eduction and practice. They should also be certified with the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), promote recognized standards and best practice in acupuncture.

The difference between a licensed acupuncturist and an ‘add-on’ provider such as a chiropractor are the licensed practitioners focus on the source of the problem for prevention as well as the short-term treatment.

How Many Treatments Of Acupuncture Will I Need?

The acupuncturist will be able to tell you how many sessions of treatment you will need depending on the condition you need treating and the intensity in which you are suffering. There is no exact number but usually six to eight sessions can help most conditions, some may need only one or two sessions and others such as muscular or on-going pain may benefit from more.

Is Insurance Accepted For Acupuncture?

Frequent acupuncture sessions may be expensive running into $30-$50 per session. Many health plans do not cover alternative therapies and as a result are paid-for services. Some plans may cover acupuncture but they would need to be checked first. If in doubt ask and keep a receipt for any claims for reimbursement you may seek in the future.