Three Important Questions to Ask When Seeking Acupuncture
The state of health care in this country has lead to more
people turning to more natural ways of taking care of their health. They are seeking to improve their health,
overcome a health challenge, and/or prevent catastrophic illnesses such as
diabetes and heart disease. One of the
modalities that people are seeking to use is Acupuncture.
One in ten Americans currently receive acupuncture for pain,
digestive disorders, fertility and other health challenges. The World Health Organization (WHO) and
National Institute of Health (NIH) have recognized over 40 specific conditions
that can be treated effectively with acupuncture. A few of these conditions are addiction,
anxiety, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, and digestive issues
such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Chron’s Disease.
If you are someone that is new to this ancient medical
healing modality then you may not be sure of how to go about finding a
qualified acupuncturist in your area.
There are three very important questions to ask of the person that you
are thinking about using for your health care services.
- What Is Your Training
In order to become an acupuncturist
you must complete a graduate degree at an accredited college. The Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and
Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) is the national organization recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education to accredit Acupuncture and Oriental
Medical Schools
and programs in the United
States .
There are over 50 colleges in the United States . To learn more about the CCAOM or to check on
a college please go to ccaom.org.
Most programs are a minimum of four
years and consist of studies in both western and eastern medicine. When an acupuncturist graduates from one of
these colleges they are awarded either a Masters Degree in Acupuncture or a
Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine. The
degree is based on whether they studied only acupuncture or if oriental
medicine was also included.
- Are You Licensed by the State to
Perform Acupuncture
In order to perform acupuncture
over 98% of states require that an acupuncturist be certified by the National
Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). NCCAOM is the only national organization that
validates entry-level competency in the practice of Acupuncture and Oriental
Medicine (AOM). NCCAOM administers a
board exam in which a candidate must receive a passing score in order to be
certified. In addition a candidate must
continue a minimum of 60 hours of continuing education every 4 years in order
to maintain their certification. To
locate an acupuncturist in your area and for more information please visit
nccaom.org.
In addition some states such as California and New
Jersey require that you also pass their own state
board exam in order to be certified.
Upon completion of NCCAOM and/or
State certification an applicant must then apply for and be issued a license by
the State for which they will be practicing.
This is usually the State Board of Health.
- What is your title?
This is perhaps the most important
question you will need to ask. Depending
on the state the title may vary. Common
titles used are Licensed Acupuncturist, Certified Acupuncturist, Acupuncture
Physician, or Doctor of Oriental Medicine.
If the practitioner you are seeking services with holds any other title
then he or she may or may not be NCCAOM certified. In addition they may not be licensed by the
state as an acupuncturist.
You might ask yourself, why is this
important. In many states physicians,
chiropractors, radiologists, and other health care practitioners may perform
acupuncture within the scope of their license.
However, many of them have not had any more training than a weekend
course in order to learn the diagnostic skills and techniques required to
perform acupuncture effectively. They also have not completed any board
examination to ensure they are competent in any skills or techniques they might
have learned in their weekend course.
Deborah Farley is a licensed acupuncturist and owner of the Acupuncture Clinic of Richmond, in Richmond, Virginia. She's a leading authority on using nutrition and Chinese medicine for treating symptoms and root causes of illness. For additional resources to improve your health and wellness, visit www.debifarley.com or call 804.288.3927.
