What do acupuncturists do?
Acupuncture is an ancient practice of using tiny needles to stimulate specific points under your skin. You may choose acupuncture for therapeutic or preventive purposes. There are two kinds of acupuncturists:
- A licensed acupuncturist is a professional who has studied Eastern medicine and acupuncture.
- A certified acupuncturist is a licensed doctor who has completed training programs under supervision.
The programs and certifications may be different for every state. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) is the only external regulating body certifying national acupuncturists.
Certified acupuncturists practice either traditional Chinese acupuncture or medical acupuncture (dry-needling). Traditional Chinese acupuncture bases its practice on the concept of qi, the life force that flows through your body. Practitioners believe that when qi does not flow correctly, it can cause illness, so acupuncture aims to restore its proper flow. Medical acupuncture focuses on improving pain and function, primarily treating musculoskeletal conditions. By stimulating specific points, acupuncture enables your body to release substances such as endorphins for pain relief.
Many acupuncturists also practice other traditional Chinese medicine therapies, such as gua sha, cupping, healing or energy work, and Chinese herbs. Based on your diagnosis, your treatment may consist of a combination of any of these. Licensed acupuncture practitioners treat digestive problems, menstrual problems, chronic pain, joint pain, dental pain, migraines, etc.
What are the benefits, risks, or complications of acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a treatment that can help relieve chronic pain and alleviate other health conditions. It can help relieve pain in various body parts, such as migraines, back pain, and arthritis. Moreover, studies have found that acupuncture can be an effective treatment plan for a range of conditions, including immune system disorders, infertility, and menopause symptoms.
Acupuncture, when performed by a qualified professional, has minimal complications or side effects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles to ensure they are made of solid steel, sterile, non-toxic, and properly labeled. The use of acupuncture needles is limited to qualified professionals, who dispose of the needles after a single use. It is important to note that receiving acupuncture from unqualified practitioners can be hazardous. Untrained providers or those who use non-sterile needles can cause infections, organ punctures, and injuries to the central nervous system.
What to expect from your first acupuncture session?
Acupuncture is an ancient medical practice that employs needles to reduce pain and cramping. People commonly visit an acupuncturist to seek relief from pain. The newness of an acupuncture appointment may seem nerve-wracking, especially as you prepare for your first session with the best acupuncturist near you. The following pointers may help you if you keep them in mind.
- Before the treatment begins, there will be a lengthy interview.
Acupuncturists begin by asking general questions about your symptoms, ongoing medications, family history, substance and alcohol use, etc. They will also ask about your sleeping pattern, sexual habits, digestive issues, urinary function, and stress levels. Providing your doctor with precise answers to these questions will aid in the diagnosing process and enable effective treatment.
- You must bring your insurance card with you.
Before your appointment, it is also advisable to contact your insurance provider and develop an understanding of what is or is not covered under your particular plan. The number of insurance plans that cover acupuncture costs is increasing daily.
- An acupuncturist may end up treating more than just your current issue.
Acupuncture is an ancient practice that is focused on holistic wellness. It entails paying attention to the whole body and all the interconnections that make it function smoothly. People often go to acupuncturists for neck, back, or shoulder aches but eventually feel a release in other parts of the body.
- Eat well before your acupuncture appointment.
While you are not supposed to eat right before your appointment, eat well and hydrate a few hours before to avoid the risk of fainting or lightheadedness during or after treatment. Remember to not eat for about two hours before the appointment. You should avoid heavy food and fried or spicy foods.
- Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes.
While a masseuse may ask you to strip down, your acupuncturist will not require you to change clothes. However, you should wear loose clothing to roll your clothes comfortably. If need be, your acupuncturist may hand you a hospital gown to access your back easily.
- Be mentally prepared for some preliminary tests.
Preliminary tests help assess the condition of your internal organs for an acupuncture treatment. The acupuncturists near you may check your pulse and the tongue or feel your abdomen before administering needles to your body. These three areas correspond to various organ systems in the body. For example, a mere tongue inspection can acquaint your acupuncturist with the state of your digestive tract, abdomen, or spleen. The tongue can also indicate how healthy your sleep cycle is.
An acupuncture practitioner’s primary tool of treatment is a set of needles. You do not have to feel alarmed by the look of these needles, irrespective of any typical fears you may have of them.
Acupuncture needles tend to be thinner than those we usually see at doctors’ clinics. You will feel a little prick both when the needle is inserted and when it is in its place. Once set, you will experience little to no discomfort.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a popular modern technique for alleviating muscular pain. In this technique, a practitioner inserts fine, short, stainless steel needles into the skin without injecting fluids into the body. The needles are inserted into trigger points of the muscle or tissue with knotted or hard muscle areas. The technique is also known as intramuscular stimulation.
According to dry needling practitioners, the needles help release knots and relieve muscle pain or spasms. The duration of the needles left in the skin depends on the practitioner. However, it is essential to note that no official regulations determine who is qualified to perform this procedure. While some healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists, may receive some training in dry needling, the length of training and expertise can vary significantly.
Practitioners use two techniques in dry needling, the first involving in-and-out needle insertion. The second technique is called pistoning or sparrow pecking. It consists of inserting the needles into the skin and then removing them. However, research is needed to back up the efficacy of the pistoning technique.
The alternative method is non-trigger point treatment, in which the practitioner inserts needles around the area of pain instead of directly on it. This treatment addresses pain from a wider nervous or muscular issue, not just the central pain area.
How does acupuncture treat diabetes, and what are the various techniques?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 30.3 million Americans, or 9.4% of the total population, have diabetes.
In contemporary China, people frequently use acupuncture to manage diabetes. Current research indicates that acupuncture can:
- Improve blood glucose management
- Assist with weight loss
- Protect pancreatic islet function responsible for insulin production
- Enhance insulin resistance
- Regulate hormones related to diabetes, such as melatonin, insulin, glucocorticoids, and epinephrine
Acupuncture methods for diabetes differ from those used for pain relief. Modern medical acupuncture includes various styles and techniques, but research has focused on three primary methods for diabetes treatment:
- Wrist-ankle acupuncture: This technique involves deep needle stimulation of the nerves in the wrist and ankle. A 2014 evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine study found it may be safe and effective for pain management, including diabetic peripheral neuritis.
- Electroacupuncture: This is the most common method for treating diabetes. It involves inserting pairs of needles into acupuncture points and passing an electrical impulse between them. This technique can effectively treat pain from diabetic neuropathy and manage blood glucose levels.
- Herbal acupuncture: This modern technique involves injecting herbs into acupuncture points. According to a review in experimental and therapeutic medicine, herbal acupuncture may help maintain blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Licensed and experienced practitioners can safely and effectively perform acupuncture. Over the past 20 years, Western medicine has broadly accepted acupuncture, combining it with other diabetes treatments such as medication, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. However, the cost of acupuncture can be high, and its benefits for type 2 diabetes are not guaranteed.
Finding the best acupuncturists near you in San Diego
Are you looking for an acupuncturist in your area and need help figuring out what to do? Zocdoc is here to make this job easy for you. The graphic user interface is super simple, and the toggles help you easily maneuver the website. Entering your address details will allow you to access a complete list of acupuncturists in your area. You can browse through and shortlist those closest to you. You can find relevant information about their expertise, experience, qualifications, specialties, etc.
You can enter details of your insurance plan and find the best acupuncturist near you who can cover the cost of your treatment. Zocdoc’s online patient help center is available if you need assistance locating an acupuncturist who takes your insurance. You can connect your health, dental, and vision insurance policies to your Zocdoc account. Remember that you can only utilize one insurance plan per visit. Put your secondary insurance information in the appointment notes if you have one. You can also immediately enter your secondary insurance information into the intake forms provided by Zocdoc if your provider uses them.
Zocdoc lets you know the languages the practitioners are proficient in to maximize your comfort. The website also features reliable reviews from patients who have previously sought treatment from listed acupuncturists near you. Zocdoc always verifies these reviews. Upon browsing, when you reach a decision, you can book an appointment directly via Zocdoc. These in-person or virtual appointments are secured safely at no additional cost.
Acupuncturists and related medical conditions in California
Acupuncturists treat various medical conditions like fibromyalgia, back pain, and migraines. Fibromyalgia can cause sleep problems, fatigue, and emotional and mental distress. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this condition affects about four million adults or about 2% of the adult population in the United States. The National Health Interview Survey found that roughly 58.9% of adults experienced pain in 2019. Back pain was the most prevalent, affecting about 39%; migraines or headaches affected 22.4%, and tooth or jaw pain affected approximately 9.2% of adults.
Acupuncture treatment is also effective in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) cases. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, IBS is common, affecting roughly 15% of the population in the U.S. Moreover, women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with IBS than men.
San Diego has the highest number of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree holders. The highest number of degrees in acupuncture are awarded by the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, San Diego. As per the California Acupuncture Board’s Occupational Analysis of the Acupuncturist Profession, San Diego has the third-highest acupuncturist in the state. As of 2021, there were 305 practicing acupuncturists in San Diego County and its vicinity.
Sources
Healthline
Cleveland Clinic
Data USA
Unified Practice
California Acupuncture Board
WebMD
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Medical News Today
Wiley
