Probing Acupuncture

To the Point

If you're interested, both the AAMA and the American Association of Oriental Medicine have lists of licensed acupuncturists by state.

Both Gilbert and Chow, however, advise ensuring that any acupuncturist you chose is licensed in your state. The practitioner should have a certificate in his or her office, or you can check online.

Also, as Chow says, "Everyone's style of acupuncture may differ, but stick around with the acupuncturist through a few treatments if you feel comfortable with him or her."

Gilbert cautions acupuncture patients to make sure they can rule out serious diagnoses before relying completely on acupuncture. "A lot of patients don't trust the medical environment," Gilbert says, "but you must go to an [acupuncturist] who won't keep you away from a real diagnosis."

Acupuncture costs anywhere from $75 to $120 a treatment, though a physician/acupuncturist may be slightly more. It is covered by a growing number of insurance plans -- acupuncture typically falls under the umbrella of complementary medicine.

Keep in mind, however, most conditions do require multiple treatments. Depending on the severity of the illness, this can often mean weekly, or even more frequent, visits.

Many acupuncturists will ask you to fill out a checklist of various symptoms and personality traits, as well as describe your current condition. The acupuncturist may ask to look at your tongue or check pulses on both your wrists.

Gilbert explains an important difference between acupuncture and Western medicine is that acupuncture treats the whole person: five patients with back pain might all receive different acupuncture treatments, because they present and experience their symptoms differently.

And, unlike Western medicine, "acupuncture also treats the anxiety a patient might feel about their condition," Gilbert explains. His practice sees about a 60% success rate, which "is tremendous, [as] the downside [acupuncture's minimal side effects] is much less compared to many medications."

	Let the Qi Flow

There are a number of different styles of acupuncture: some acupuncturists focus on the five organ systems, the meridians, or even the use of gentle electrical stimulation with the needles.

Treatment usually takes place with the patient clothed, as most acupuncturists focus on points on the ears, arms, hands, legs and feet. After an initial assessment, the acupuncturist will have the patient lie on a table (face up or face down, depending on the condition), and then insert the needles.

There are two main styles of needle insertion: the Japanese-based style, using thin plastic tubes to guide the needles and reduce discomfort, and the Chinese style, in which needles are inserted freehand.

The needles are quite thin, and are left in for twenty to forty-five minutes; in most cases, they do not hurt.

However, if the patient's qi is "blocked" in a particular spot, there may be a slight pinch or hot sensation when the needles are inserted. But the discomfort is only temporary. Once all the needles are in, the patient often experiences a profound sense of relaxation.

Though chronic conditions such as back pain or gastritis may take multiple acupuncture sessions to resolve, the time spent will be well worth it: Nothing is more precious than good health.