What is an acupuncturist?
Acupuncture is an ancient practice involving placing tiny needles under the skin at specific locations. These needles stimulate particular points on the body. People choose acupuncture for both therapeutic and preventive purposes.
There are two types of acupuncturists. A licensed acupuncturist who has studied acupuncture and oriental medicine is qualified to maintain patients' health. A certified acupuncturist is a licensed dentist or physician who has finished an educational program equivalent to at least 200 hours and 100 hours of supervisory experience. However, programs and certifications may vary depending on your state.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) states that an increasing number of people are using acupuncture for pain management. With approximately 35 million Americans regularly receiving acupuncture, the need for certified acupuncturists is high.
What conditions do qualified acupuncturists treat?
A certified acupuncturist near you may practice one of two types of acupuncture.
- Traditional Chinese acupuncture:
Traditional Chinese acupuncture, as we know it today, is still considerably modified from the oldest practices. Traditional acupuncture incorporates the concept of yin and yang and the five elements: Metal, Earth, Wood, Fire, and Water. Practitioners believe improper qi flow (the life force thought to flow through your body) can cause illness, and acupuncture can restore qi flow.
Another name for it is dry needling. Medical acupuncture reduces pain and enhances physical performance by stimulating particular body areas. These points could or might not match those found in classical Chinese acupuncture. Typically, medical acupuncture treats musculoskeletal disorders. When these musculoskeletal points are activated, the body produces natural pain relievers like endorphins.
Acupuncture relieves discomfort linked with several diseases and conditions, including:
- Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting
- Fibromyalgia
- Dental pain
- Labor pain
- Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines
- Neck pain
- Lower back pain
- Menstrual cramps
- Osteoarthritis
- Tennis elbow
- Respiratory disorders
What to expect during an acupuncturist visit?
In the first acupuncture session, the acupuncturist will start by checking your general health. Every treatment is unique to the individual, facilitating effective results. During an appointment, the acupuncturist will inquire about past treatments, current symptoms, sleeping patterns, patient and family medical history, diet, digestive system, and emotional health. They will also take the pulse on the wrists to check how energies flow in the body. In addition, the acupuncturist will assess your tongue's structure, color, and coating to determine your affliction.
An acupuncture session takes up to one hour or shorter. A typical treatment plan for a single complaint involves one or two weekly treatments. The overall treatment duration depends on the condition and its severity. Generally, it's common to receive six to eight treatments. Before commencing the treatment, the acupuncturist will explain the process and then ask you to lie flat on a table. The treatment procedure can involve the following:
- Needle insertion: Acupuncture needles are inserted at various depths at strategic points on your body. If hands are skinny, insertion causes little discomfort. The typical acupuncture treatment uses 5 to 20 needles. A mild aching sensation will occur when a needle reaches the correct depth.
- Needle manipulation: The practitioner gently moves or twirls the needles after placement or applies heat to the needles.
- Needle removal: The needles often remain in place for ten to fifteen minutes while you lie and relax. There is no discomfort in needle removal.
Experts recommend that patients eat approximately two hours before an acupuncture treatment. However, this could cause discomfort during the session. Patients should avoid unhealthy, overly processed foods and coffee before their session. If the patient feels lightheaded after their session, advise them to take a rest.
Things to consider before choosing acupuncture treatment
Important things to consider before undergoing acupuncture treatment include the following:
- Consult specialist doctors for an effective disease diagnosis. Before visiting the acupuncturist for treatment, talk to them about how acupuncture can improve your condition.
- Acupuncture treatment is not for everybody. Therefore, know about the treatment in detail from your doctor. Discuss all your ongoing treatments and medications, such as prescription drugs, dietary supplements, and over-the-counter drugs. If you are susceptible to infections, have body implants, or have chronic skin problems, you must inform the acupuncturist before treatment. Acupuncture may increase your health risks if you fail to report your underlying conditions.
- Visit a licensed and trained acupuncturist near you to achieve effective treatment outcomes. They can provide appropriate treatment to manage your condition and symptoms. Your primary care doctor can provide good referrals. You can even seek referrals from friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers who have already sought acupuncture treatment.
- Check your insurance coverage and treatment costs beforehand. Some insurance companies may cover acupuncture treatment, while others may not. Before treatment, consider whether the number of sessions required and the total charges are covered under your insurance.
- If you have a pacemaker, inform the acupuncturist before treatment. The mild electrical pulses applied to the needles during treatment may affect the pacemaker's operation.
- You must also notify the acupuncturist of your pregnancy before treatment. Some acupuncture points stimulate labor and may lead to premature delivery.
Risks of acupuncture
The risks involved in acupuncture treatment are minimal when it is conducted by certified acupuncturists using sterile needles. The general treatment side effects include bruising, minimal bleeding, and soreness at the needle insertion point. These are effectively managed with medications and usually go away within a few days. The standard practice of using disposable, single-use needles during treatment has further minimized the risks of infections.
Things you should avoid after acupuncture
A few things that you should avoid doing immediately after acupuncture therapy include the following:
Alcohol intake harms the body, and you must avoid it, especially after undergoing acupuncture therapy. Alcohol intake can disrupt the natural healing process of the body. It can cause dehydration and worsen the hangover system. Alcohol intake may even lead to bruising or bleeding at the needle sites.
Talk to an acupuncturist about the risks and side effects of alcohol intake after treatment. Avoid alcohol intake for a minimum of 24 hours after acupuncture treatment.
- Avoid intense exercise or physical activities
You may feel dizzy or lightheaded after the session, as acupuncture causes a drop in your energy levels. Any strenuous physical activity or exercise may worsen these symptoms and even increase the risk of injury. Therefore, allow your body to relax and recover for a few hours after treatment. Gentle household activities are fine, but avoid strenuous physical activities.
Junk foods include processed foods, sugary drinks, and fast foods. These foods contain very high salts, fats, and calories but have low nutrient value. Such foods can quickly negate the positive benefits of acupuncture treatment. Moreover, junk foods can lead to weight gain, inflammation, and other chronic health problems. Therefore, eating healthy and nutritious foods helps enhance acupuncture treatment's positive results.
Avoid caffeine immediately after treatment, as it could negate acupuncture's relaxing and calming effects. Caffeine produces more stress hormones, further worsening your existing disorders. It is natural to feel dull or tired after treatment. You can seek natural ways to boost your energy. Or, allow your body to relax for a few hours before you return to your daily routine.
You must avoid watching digital screens immediately after acupuncture treatment. This includes tablets, phones, laptops, computers, and TV screens. The light emitted from these digital screens can interfere with the positive results of acupuncture treatment. Therefore, avoid facing digital screens as much as possible. Do it for short periods if you need to, and take breaks often. Avoid continuous screen exposure.
Top-rated acupuncturist near you
Although acupuncture is a popular treatment choice worldwide, finding and selecting the right acupuncturist can be challenging. Zocdoc is here to make finding the right acupuncturist easy. Zocdoc makes finding an experienced acupuncturist in Chicago easy to meet your healthcare needs. Create a free account with Zocdoc. Then, select the doctor's specialty, your location, and dates. A comprehensive list of doctors based on your search criteria will appear.
If you want to find a provider who accepts your insurance, add your insurance information (your insurance provider and plan) to the Zocdoc search. You will see in-network providers who accept your plan. When you search for providers on the Zocdoc app, upload a photo of your insurance card. The app will then scan and display your insurance plan (the option for vision and dental plans is unavailable). Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
At Zocdoc, we believe in long-term, trusting patient-physician relationships. Every acupuncturist has a unique profile. You can learn about their teaching credentials, board certifications, clinical interests, expertise, experience, gender, and language. Additionally, verified patient reviews and user ratings can help you make an informed decision before seeing an acupuncturist near you.
To better understand your acupuncturist, you can book a video appointment on Zocdoc before your in-person visit. Look for the purple video icon in the acupuncturist's profile or filter your selection of video appointments. All bookings with Zocdoc are accessible, secure, and free.
Acupuncture treatment in the U.S.
In the state of Illinois, there are around 3250 acupuncturists. The Illinois Society of Acupuncturists was established for the state's professional growth and advocacy of acupuncturists. It also aims to educate the general public about the scope of acupuncture services.
Several studies have reviewed the benefits of acupuncture. In a randomized controlled study, 23 individuals receiving acupuncture were assessed. Patients reported a substantial decrease in pain and improved arm function and maximal strength.
A study of 72 pregnant women reported acupuncture to relieve low-back and pelvic pain without adverse effects during pregnancy. Around 1041 patients with headaches were evaluated in 22 randomized control trials; evidence reported acupuncture to help manage headaches.
Moreover, in a controlled multicenter trial, nearly 46 specialized physicians in six hospitals and 32 private outpatient clinics treated around 422 patients with seasonal allergies with acupuncture.
Sources
WebMD
The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Newfoundland and Labrador
Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
Medical News Today
Chiro.org
Progressive Acupuncture Wellness Center
Illinois Society of Acupuncturists
Illinois WorkNet Center
Redmint
Johns Hopkins Medicine
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