Who is an acupuncturist?
Acupuncture is a technique that includes putting needles into the skin to treat pain and enhance overall health. An acupuncturist practices the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. Currently, as a part of their treatment, acupuncturists use traditional and modern cutting-edge techniques to treat and assess different conditions in patients. Their responsibilities include treating patients of all ages, from babies to the elderly. Acupuncturists treat health conditions in areas like:
- Pediatrics
- Gynecology
- Sports injury and pain management
- Mental health
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Cosmetic procedures
Private clinics employ the vast majority of acupuncturists. In modern health care and self-care systems, you would find acupuncturists in hospitals, fertility clinics, cancer treatment centers, addictions treatment centers, sports injury treatment centers, health and wellness centers, and spa environments.
There are two kinds of acupuncturists:
- A licensed acupuncturist studies acupuncture and eastern medicine.
- A certified acupuncturist is a licensed physician, physical therapist, or dentist who has completed a training program of 200 hours and 100 hours of supervised experience. The programs and certifications vary in every state.
'Board-certified' refers to acupuncturists who have obtained a license to practice. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) provides permits in the United States. Acupuncturists who pass the national licensure exam can use the title—Dipl. Ac. — after their name to indicate that they are board-certified.
When would acupuncture help?
The acupuncture needles stimulate the body's existing processes to respond to a symptom or sickness and even to realign the body. Painkillers and neurotransmitters are released by the body's natural endorphins and neurotransmitters, respectively. Acupuncture can be helpful in the treatment of a range of medical conditions. Acupuncture may also be beneficial for chronic (long-term) pain relief and minor ailments such as the following:
- Arthritis
- Pain in the back, neck, or muscles
- Migraines and headaches are common occurrences
- Pain in my knees
- Cramping during a period of menstruation
- Athlete's foot
- Cancer and its adverse effects during therapy
- Pain in the face and other nerves
- Problems with the immune system
- Infertility
- Bowel irritability disorder
- Hot flashes, menopause, and such
- Problems of pregnancy
- Symptoms of overuse syndrome and repetitive strain diseases
One should book a visit to acupuncturists near them if they experience the following:
- Excruciating pain in the joints
- Severe stress
- Back pain during pregnancy and menstrual cycles
- Sports injuries
- Neck and back pain that happens due to poor posture
Health benefits of acupuncture
Acupuncture's positive effects on health are not universal. It's important to remember that it could take numerous acupuncture treatments before you feel better. Although studies on the health advantages of acupuncture are still few and far between, whatever exists shows promise for some illnesses.
Pain in the lower back
According to a drug-free therapy study, acupuncture relieved pain and improved back function immediately following treatment. However, how beneficial acupuncture treatment was in the long run was still being determined.
Migraines
Migraine studies conducted over six months revealed:
When comparing those who received acupuncture to those who did not, the results showed that 41% of study participants experienced a 50% reduction in the frequency of migraine symptoms.
It was reported that acupuncture was just as effective as medicine for preventing migraines.
Tension headaches
According to the literature, tension headache sufferers may find relief with acupuncture after at least six treatments. Combining acupuncture and medicine reduced headache frequency more than either treatment alone.
Knee ache
A meta-analysis revealed that acupuncture may help people with knee osteoarthritis regain some of their physical mobility. Damage to the knee's connective tissue is the hallmark of this illness. According to one study, the discomfort associated with knee osteoarthritis can be temporarily relieved by acupuncture.
The usage of pain medication after knee replacement surgery was also found to be reduced and postponed by acupuncture in another meta-analysis.
Flexibility of the face
Facial acupuncture, or cosmetic acupuncture, is a technique used to enhance the look of the skin on the face and neck. A little more than half of the people in a small research who received five acupuncture treatments over three weeks reported increased skin elasticity, contributing to a more youthful appearance.
How can you prepare for your appointment?
Acupuncture treatment offers multiple benefits, such as pain relief, stress relief, and overall improvement in well-being. Before going to an acupuncturist near you, you may keep these tips in mind:
- Set aside time before and after treatment to give yourself enough time to relax. Avoid engaging in stressful activities or consuming caffeine 2-3 hours before the appointment.
- Since your acupuncturist will be asking questions about your medical history, bringing a list of your current medications and supplements would be helpful.
- Many people recommend that you avoid eating for two hours before the appointment. Eating something light before that is essential to avoid feeling lightheaded during the treatment.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes so that you can adjust them while the acupuncturist places needles in specific points.
During the appointment with an acupuncturist near you, you will be asked questions about your symptoms and lifestyle. Subsequently, the acupuncturist will perform an examination. It helps them determine the type of acupuncture treatment that you may require. They would also recommend a schedule with about one or two weekly treatments. Having at least 6 to 8 treatments is necessary for all the benefits. Acupuncture sessions might last up to 60 minutes.
What happens during an acupuncture treatment?
In Chinese medicine, qi is the word used to describe the flow of energy inside the body. Chinese medicine practitioners believe that qi disturbances cause imbalances in the body's energy, which in turn causes disease. There are many acupuncture types; some use needles to stimulate specific acupuncture points (acupoints). Hundreds of acupoints are along 14 major meridians (energy-carrying channels).
The acupuncturist you go to will let you know if you need to remove any clothing. You may be required to change into a gown or a towel. Your acupuncturist will insert needles at various depths at specific points during the treatment. These needles are sterile and thin, so there may be a mild aching sensation when they reach the correct depth. Your acupuncturist may also apply electrical pulses or heat to the needles or twirl them after placement. These needles stay in for about 10 to 20 minutes. During removal, you may have little to no discomfort.
Acupuncture points trigger the central nervous system and release muscular and spinal cord chemicals. You might feel better physically and emotionally due to biochemical changes in the body. A single treatment can make you feel relaxed and energized or make no difference. Everyone responds differently to acupuncture. Some need more than one session before seeing results. However, acupuncture may not suit you if you still await improvement after multiple treatments.
Does acupuncture have any side effects?
Like any other treatment, acupuncture might induce adverse reactions in certain patients. Some of these side effects include:
- Having a needle inserted causes pain and bleeding.
- Nausea
- Allergic dermatitis
- Dizziness and bruising around the injection sites
Serious adverse effects are possible but uncommon, including damage to blood vessels and nerves, needle breakage issues, organ damage, and brain and spinal cord injuries.
To limit the possibility of unwanted consequences, acupuncture should be performed by a qualified professional using sterile, single-use needles.
Finding an acupuncturist in Las Vegas
Proper medical attention is vital for pain or other unpleasant health conditions. Acupuncturists are trained professionals who help you relax and release tension while reducing pain. The nature of the treatment and practice is such that you need an experienced acupuncturist.
Zocdoc helps patients all over the United States find experienced acupuncturists nearby.
With its interactive platform and simple user interface, Zocdoc provides all the information a patient must have to make an informed decision. Our platform curates a list of acupuncturists near you based on your search. Each provider profile contains detailed information about their expertise, qualifications, licensure, experience, ratings, and languages spoken.
Zocdoc also filters search results based on your insurance plan/carrier. Our algorithm carefully showcases the provider profiles that best match your requirements. Ultimately, you can book video or in-person appointments at your convenience.
All bookings with Zocdoc are safe, secure, and free!
Acupuncture Statistics in Nevada
Acupuncture is a complementary therapy usually provided in addition to conventional medical treatment. Several studies have highlighted the benefits of acupuncture in pain management and other health conditions such as migraine, tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome, osteoarthritis, and many chronic diseases.
Since 2002, the number of people who use acupuncture has increased from 4.2% (8.19 million) to 6.3% (14.01 million) of the total population. Recent patients saw their acupuncturists an average of six to ten times; 25% went only once, 43% went twice to five times, 16.5 percent six to 10 times, and 14.6 percent more than ten times. Since 1998, licensed acupuncturists have grown by almost 257%. There were 11.63 acupuncturists for every 100,000 people in the United States in 2013.
According to a report published by the Nevada State Health Division, in 2011, around 23% of people in Nevada had arthritis. Nearly 10% of Nevada residents had diabetes, while a substantial number of residents (60%) in the state were considered obese or overweight.
Sources
MayoClinic
Bustle
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Morningside Acupuncture
Medical News Today
Nevada State Health Division
American Institute of Alternative Medicine
WebMD
VeryWellHealth
