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This article provides information and advice on how to choose the right acupuncturist. First and foremost, it is important that if you want to have acupuncture, you must confirm that the practitioner is licensed and certified to practice in your state. It is also vital that you find someone that you can be comfortable with, as he will be working on you for several sessions presumably. Acupuncturists have different techniques, although it is possible that they can have the same skill level. Ultimately, it is upon you to decide which you consider the acupuncturist that best suits your needs and your personality.
Chelsea is a health and fitness coach who visited her acupuncturist regularly for her chronic back pain. During the sessions, she recalled that she didn’t feel comfortable and instead of feeling relaxed, her muscles were more tensed throughout the session. After the whole cycle, she was not relieved of her back pain. She decided to see another practitioner, one who she felt she ‘connected.’ She never felt more comfortable when the therapist placed the needles on her back while talking with her about something of her interest. In fact, in the middle of the session, she almost fell asleep. Ultimately, at the end of two months of periodic acupuncture of her back, she felt considerable pain relief of up to a week.
Credentials You Should Look For
Be keen to ask for the acupuncturist’s requirements needed for her to practice in your state (or any state for that matter). There are some states that have more strict regulations than the rest. Three associations, namely the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, were created to write and implement the standards of practice for acupuncture. It can be quite confusing for someone to find a certified practitioner by following the guidelines of these three associations, but the NCCAOM is the choice for most of the states in America.
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Insurance Coverage
Currently, insurance companies like Medicaid and Medicare do not include acupuncture in their coverage, although some companies do accept policies that cover acupuncture treatment. How can you tell whether or not your insurance company pays for the treatment or not? You simply must call the company and inquire about it. Some of the questions that you can also use as followup include:
- How much do you cover?
- How many treatments am I entitled to?
- How much do you pay for the treatments?
- How much do I pay out of my pocket if I were to choose an acupuncturist that is not on your list of providers?
- Would you need a recommendation or referral from my primary physician?
- What are the conditions that you consider covered for acupuncture treatment?
- How much will my deductible be?
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Don’t Fear The Needles
If you haven’t tried acupuncture and you are hesitant because you are afraid of needles, then don’t be. Even those who were initially scared of pointy things have finally enjoyed and reaped the benefits of acupuncture. You will experience relief and the best results especially if you have found the right acupuncturist for you.