What do acupuncturists do?
Acupuncture is an ancient practice focusing on holistic healing that is less invasive than surgery or medication. Developed in China, acupuncture is a medicine based on the belief that stimulating specific points in the body, which are nerve-rich, can influence the workings of internal organs, tissues, glands, or other bodily functions. People carry out such stimulation on the skin surface by employing needles.
Professionals who practice acupuncture are acupuncturists. There are two kinds of acupuncturists, namely:
- Licensed acupuncturists: These professionals have an average of 3,000 hours of master' s-level training in Eastern medicine and acupuncture. They must also pass the national certification exam by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
- Certified acupuncturists: Licensed physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, or dentists with 100-300 hours of training. They are not required to pass the national certification exam.
The programs and certifications required vary from state to state. In California, for example, aspiring acupuncturists must pass a specific licensing examination.
Acupuncturists undergo training to manage pain-based conditions such as:
- Arthritis
- Back pain, neck pain, or muscle pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Knee pain
- Menstrual cramps
- Sports injuries
- Sprains
- Hypertension
- Multiple sclerosis
- Anxiety and depression
- Nausea and morning sickness
- Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland)
They may also help with the following, although more research is required to understand the exact benefits of acupuncture for the conditions listed below:
- Cancer and cancer-related side effects
- Face pain or other nerve discomfort
- Infertility
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Insomnia
- Diabetes
- Stiff or sore neck
- Abdominal pain
- Nasal congestion (blocked nose)
- Tendinopathy (a condition where the tissues connecting bones to muscles are inflamed)
Different types of acupuncture techniques
Most modern acupuncture techniques introduce the application of Western medicine to traditional methods. Some acupuncturists may choose to specialize in one method or combine both approaches. Moreover, they can employ different techniques to treat specific health issues. Some of these acupuncture techniques include the following:
- Traditional needle acupuncture: As the most popular technique, it involves inserting needles and stimulating them on affected areas. Patients can enjoy various benefits from issues like insomnia, depression, anxiety, and headaches.
- Community acupuncture: Unlike traditional acupuncture, community acupuncture involves treating multiple patients in a large space rather than private rooms. Many clinics across the nation have adopted this method to make acupuncture treatments convenient and economical.
- Cupping: Cupping is beneficial in removing accumulated toxins and waste in the muscles or joints. The suction method draws waste from the body's deeper tissues to the skin's surface. Accordingly, the body can quickly eliminate these toxins using an external blood supply or the capillary system.
- Electric stimulation: This technique gives a modern touch to traditional acupuncture. It involves inserting acupuncture needles and tiny clips between two acupuncture points. It offers more stimulation than hand manipulation of the needles. Moreover, electric stimulation can be effective for those whose muscle groups or nerves are paralyzed.
- Korean hand therapy: Korean hand therapy is a self-treatment option focused on managing pain and balancing the function of internal organs. It works by stimulating specific areas of the hands to affect other body areas.
- Moxibustion: Most Chinese acupuncture techniques focus on improving the circulation of Qi in the body. Moxibustion is the process of burning mugwort leaves to achieve the same goal. The plant is thought to enhance acupuncture-assisted healing, and the leaves are burned just below the skin's surface using a stick.
- Needless acupuncture: In traditional Chinese medicine, needless acupuncture is a form of forceful massage that involves ferocious friction. This method helps treat various health issues, such as abdominal pain, constipation, and IBS.
What is cosmetic acupuncture?
Cosmetic acupuncture, sometimes called facial rejuvenation or facial facelift, is a non-surgical treatment that uses acupuncture to improve facial elasticity. This procedure helps alter the appearance of the skin of your face, neck, and head and is a non-invasive alternative to surgical face lifts. Advocates of cosmetic acupuncture claim that the treatment can also reduce fine lines and wrinkles, prevent droopy eyelids, and remove age spots and other signs of aging. Over half of all participants in a 2013 study on cosmetic acupuncture reported their skin felt plumper and more youthful after undergoing five sessions over three weeks.
What can you expect from acupuncture treatment?
Typically, a session with an acupuncturist near you can go on for anywhere between 60 to 90 minutes. The acupuncturist will discuss your condition and symptoms during your initial visit.
You may have to lie down or sit up straight during the administration of acupuncture. Before the treatment starts, your acupuncturist might closely examine the following:
- The color of your face
- Your tongue’s color, shape, and coating
- Any parts of your body that are sore or painful
- The strength and rhythm of the pulse of your wrist
This assessment will help them identify the type of acupuncture treatment best suited for them.
The acupuncturist will examine areas that will react to treatment. They will tap the needles into points at varying depths, from a fraction of an inch to a couple of inches. Acupuncturists employ sterile needles that are finer than those used in conventional medicine. You may feel a slight prick and muscle sensations like tingling or dull aches. These sensations mean that the treatment is working. However, the acupuncturist will ask you to inform them if you feel numbness or heaviness. They can also move around the needles after the initial placement or apply mild electrical pulses and heat to the needles. This process is known as needle manipulation and helps your acupuncturist address your pain points better.
The stimulation leads to a resultant immune system stimulation, promoting blood circulation to the target area, wound healing, and even pain modulation. People's bodies react differently to acupuncture, making it difficult to know what to expect. For some, an acupuncture session is energizing, while it may be relaxing or even tiring for others. Some people may start noticing instant relief after a session, while others may have to wait for acupuncture treatment to progress before seeing their condition improve. For many, acupuncture even acts as a form of therapy, helping them relieve stress and feel calmer, even happier.
Acupuncture techniques help to treat chronic headaches, allergies, hypertension, insomnia, migraines, anxiety, sprains, strokes, morning sickness, etc. The number of treatments necessary varies based on your specific medical conditions. Your acupuncturist will recommend a schedule for you. Remember that you may only get some benefits from acupuncture in a single session. If you have decided to try acupuncture, giving it at least five sessions would be best.
How do you prepare for an acupuncture appointment?
Acupuncture treatment offers many benefits, including pain relief and stress relief. If you have decided to tap into these benefits, keep the following in mind while preparing for your appointment with an acupuncturist near you:
- Keep your schedule free: Avoid engaging in any stressful activity before and after treatment; setting time aside before and after your appointment is crucial to relax.
- Please provide a list of the medications you are currently taking. Your practitioner will inquire about your symptoms and medical background during your acupuncture session, so list your current medications or supplements for a comprehensive understanding of your condition.
- Eat well before your appointment: Experts suggest eating something roughly two hours before your therapy. It would be best to make sure this is a light meal.
- Opt for loose-fitting clothing: You may not be required to change clothes for treatment. However, wearing something comfortable will make placing the needles easier for the acupuncturist.
What are some side effects of acupuncture?
While acupuncture is beneficial for several health concerns, there are some adverse effects you should be aware of before opting for it. These include:
- Drowsiness
- Skin rashes or irritation
- Infections from unsterilized needles
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded or fainting
- Bleeding, bruising, or delayed pain in areas where the needle punctured the skin
- In rare cases, organ puncture, central nervous system injuries, and blood vessel rupture
Who should not opt for acupuncture?
Acupuncture might not be the right fit for you if you:
- Have a pacemaker
- Have a metal allergy
- Are on anticoagulant medications (blood thinners)
- Are pregnant; some acupuncture points can stimulate labor, causing premature delivery
- Have specific phobias like hemophobia (fear of blood) or trypanophobia (fear of needles)
- Have hemophilia, a rare condition that makes it difficult for the blood to clot, leading you to bleed for longer in case of injuries.
Finding the best acupuncturist near you in San Francisco, CA
Acupuncture is a contact therapy. Therefore, you must be comfortable with the practitioner administering acupuncture to your body. You can find an acupuncturist who meets your preferences by looking them up on Zocdoc. Once you enter the details of your location, a repository of practitioners in your vicinity will be displayed. While browsing, you can familiarize yourself with the acupuncturist's licensure, expertise, experience, and specialization.
You can also know if a particular clinic accepts your insurance plan. To refine your search results and find providers within your insurance network, you can choose your insurance plan from the search filters. Alternatively, you can update your Zocdoc account's insurance information or upload a picture of your insurance card. Feel free to check out Zocdoc's patient help center to learn more.
Once you have apprised yourself of the relevant information, you can finalize your pick by reviewing previous patients' reviews. These reviews are reliable and verified by Zocdoc, which allows you to make an informed decision and identify the best acupuncturists near you. Subsequently, you can easily book an in-person or virtual consultation appointment.
Rest assured, all bookings with Zocdoc are secure, safe, and free of charge!
Acupuncture in San Francisco, California
According to America's Health Rankings, roughly 20.1% of adults in California were diagnosed with arthritis in 2021. As per a 2019 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, about 58.9% of Americans experienced pain in the last three months. Around 39% of adults had back pain, 36.5% had lower limb pain, and 30.7% had upper limb pain.
Migraine affected more than 10% of people worldwide in 2022 and is about three times more common in women. The Journal of the American Medical Association states that around 17.1% of women and 5.6% of men reported having migraine symptoms.
Currently, the State of California is home to 2,130 acupuncturists, the highest in the country. The San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metropolitan area, with 560 active licensed acupuncturists, is ranked second in the list of highest employment levels in the United States, as per a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report.
San Francisco County is ranked second in the list of counties with the most medical practitioners graduating as acupuncturists. Per the National Center for Biotechnology Information, a 2017 research study looked at licensed acupuncturists for San Francisco Bay Area cancer patients. Roughly 77% of the 2,213 practitioners were engaged in caring for patients with cancer, with 29% stating that they have six to 10 years of experience in the field. Nearly 94% of respondents stated that they centered their efforts with cancer patients around enhancing their quality of life.
Sources
Healthline
MedicalNewsToday
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data USA
National Center for Biotechnology Information
American Institute of Alternative Medicine[1]
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD
America's Health Rankings
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Journal of the American Medical Association
Acupuncture Center Chicago
Verywell Health[1]
Verywell Health[2]
Mayo Clinic
NHS[1]
NHS[2]
American Institute of Alternative Medicine[2]
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