4 Tips on How to Find the Best Acupuncturist for You
In recent years, more and more people have turned away from the idea of traditional medical treatment, turning their attention to alternative therapies that don’t require surgeries or medications instead, such as oriental medicine. This is where acupuncture comes in. It’s a non-invasive method of treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine that doesn’t involve any chemicals, injections, or incisions of any kind.
Acupuncture is an ancient treatment method that involves needle insertion into specific pressure points (called “acupuncture points”) in one’s body. Acupuncture works by promoting healthy circulation through the stimulation of these points with acupuncture needles. The effectiveness of acupuncture and oriental medicine has been established in clinical trials. It can help to relieve quite a number of conditions, including headaches, joint pain, chronic low back pain, and even muscle immobility.
To make sure that you get the best treatment for pain relief and relief of other symptoms, you need to work with the best acupuncturist. With that said, here’s our guide to finding the best one for you:
What Makes a Good Acupuncturist?
Before we get into the details of how you should go about finding an acupuncturist, you need to understand what makes one stands out from the other. Like any other type of health care professional, an acupuncturist needs to have gone through rigorous medical training and an education program to earn a certificate of expertise from one of the national institutes of health.
They also have to take an exam to get a practice license to show that they are able to conduct their business safely and effectively. Additionally, they need to have insurance coverage to ensure that both they and their patients are protected if something were to go wrong. Lastly, the acupuncture office will also need to go through regular inspection to ensure that it’s arranged and sanitized according to the industry standard.
These are the key elements of a professional acupuncturist and are the qualities you should look for in any medical practice. Therefore, if the office is dirty or if the acupuncturist doesn’t follow the standard procedures such as carrying out the treatment without asking for medical history or diagnosis, it’s best to get up and leave immediately.
A clean acupuncture clinic is a good indicator that the acupuncturist only uses sterilized needles. Keep in mind that any medical professional is obligated by law to show their credentials when asked, so don’t hesitate to do so if necessary.
How to Find the Right Acupuncturist for You
Now that you know what to look for in an acupuncturist, let’s move on to how you should go about finding one. Here are four tips on how to find the best acupuncturist for you:
1. Get a referral
The best way to find an acupuncturist or any medical professional for that matter is to get a referral from another reputable medical office. Doctors know best when it comes to your health, so if your general practitioner recommends you an acupuncturist, you know that they can give you the best treatment.
2. Do some research online
If you can’t get a referral or a recommendation, the next best thing to do is to look for a local acupuncturist office in the area. Yelp or Google Reviews are the best places to find local businesses and it will let you see all the reviews and the general consensus of the place.
If you see an establishment that has a positive average review score, dig a little deeper and look up their website online. You want to make sure that you learn as much as you can about the business before you pay them a visit.
3. Know what you need
There are many different types and styles of acupuncture treatment and they all offer various benefits that are distinct and unique from one another. You need to know what you’re looking for and understand the conditions you’re looking to treat before choosing one.
For example, if you have general back pain, you may benefit from a session of traditional Chinese acupuncture. If you’re dealing with harsh migraines, on the other hand, scalp acupuncture may be a better idea. It’s best to talk to an acupuncturist and your personal doctor to see what would be the best method to treat the condition you’re having.
4. Go with the acupuncturist you feel personally connected to
Like many other treatment options, the most important element that will determine the effectiveness of the procedure is your level of trust in the staff. If you feel uncomfortable with an acupuncturist, your body will tense up when they’re around, which means that they won’t be able to deliver the best treatment.
Therefore, it’s always beneficial to work with an acupuncturist who you feel comfortable being around. If you prefer a medical professional who talks to you throughout the session and tells jokes and funny story about themselves, then that’s the type of acupuncturist you should look for. On the other hand, if you prefer one that just keeps quiet and instructs you on what to do and how to position yourself, then look for one with that nature.
Keep in mind that you can talk to your acupuncturist ahead of time to let them know what type of treatment you’re looking to get and how you prefer to be communicated with. This will help to establish clear expectations for both parties so that treatment can be given more effectively.
Looking for the best acupuncturist? If you’re looking to book an acupuncture session in Edmonton, Alberta, Glenora Clinic is your best option. We work together with our patients to provide effective care, so they can return to their optimum level of health.
