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Visiting an Acupuncturist
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Finding an Acupuncturist
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Alternative Arthritis Therapies: Acupuncture
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Precautions
Acupuncture is generally a very safe procedure. If a patient is in doubt about a medical condition, more than one physician should be consulted. Also, a patient should always feel comfortable and confident that their acupuncturist is knowledgable and properly trained.
Research & general acceptance
Mainstream medicine has been slow to accept acupuncture; although more MDs are using the technique, the American Medical Association does not recognize it as a specialty. The reason for this is that the mechanism of acupuncture is difficult to scientifically understand or measure, such as the invisible energy of chi in the body. Western medicine, admitting that acupuncture works in many cases, has theorized that the energy meridians are actually part of the nervous system and that acupuncture relieves pain by releasing endorphins, or natural pain killers, into the bloodstream. Despite the ambiguity in the biochemistry involved, acupuncture continues to show effectiveness in clinical tests, from reducing pain to alleviating the symptoms of chronic illnesses, and research in acupuncture is currently growing. The Office of Alternative Medicine of the National Institute of Health is currently funding research in the use of acupuncture for treating depression and attention-deficit disorder.
Training & certification
Medical acupuncture has evolved in America which uses traditional methods mainly as surgical techniques and pain management, and not as part of Chinese medicine overall. Medical acupuncture is performed by an MD or an osteopathic physician (DO). Currently 23 states allow only this type of acupuncture. Practitioners get their training as part of conventional medical school programs. As any MD can legally perform acupuncture,
For traditional acupuncturists, The National Commission for Certification of Acupuncturists (NCCA) conducts certification exams, promotes national standards, and registers members. Most states that license acupuncturists use the NCCA standards as certification. Address: 11 Canal Center Plaza, Ste. 300, Alexandra, VA 22314, (703) 548-9004, http://www.nccaim.org.
The American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) is the largest organization for practitioners, with more than 1,600 members. Address: 1925 W. County Rd B2, Roseville, MN 55113, (651) 631-0204, http://www.aaaom.org.
BOOKS
Fleischman, Dr. Gary F. Acupuncture: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know. New York: Barrytown, 1998.
Kakptchuk, Ted. The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine. New York: Congdon and Weed, 1983.
Requena, Yves, MD. Terrains and Pathology in Acupuncture. Massachusetts: Paradigm, 1986.
PERIODICALS
American Journal of Acupuncture. 1840 41st Ave., Suite 102, P.O. Box 610, Capitola, CA 95010.
Assefi, Nassim. "Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia." Alternative Medicine Alert. (February 2002): 13.
Savage, Lorraine. "Grant to Study Acupuncture"s Effectiveness on Patients Suffering from Substance Abuse." Healthcare Review. (March 19, 2002): 16.
OTHER
American Association of Oriental Medicine. http://www.aaom.org/ (December 28, 2000).
North American Society of Acupuncture and Alternative Medicine. http://www.nasa-altmed.com/ (December 28, 2000).
Douglas Dupler
Teresa G. Odle
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Author Info: Douglas Dupler, Teresa G. Odle, The Gale Group Inc., Gale, Detroit, Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, 2005 |
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