Who is an acupuncturist?
Acupuncture is essentially a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), one of the world's oldest and most commonly used systems of medicine. Acupuncturists are highly trained and licensed healthcare professionals who provide safe, effective, drug-free treatments for various medical conditions.
Acupuncture stimulates the body's healing response by promoting balance and harmony within the body's various systems. According to TCM, illness or pain occurs when there is an imbalance in the body's flow of energy (Qi). Acupuncture treatment entails the insertion of thin needles into particular points on the body to restore balance and promote healing.
Acupuncturists use a comprehensive approach to health care that considers various aspects of a person's well-being – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. In addition to acupuncture, acupuncturists may also recommend lifestyle and diet changes, herbal remedies, and other therapies to help patients in achieving optimal health and well-being.
What does an acupuncturist do?
Acupuncturists work by stimulating the body's natural ability to heal itself. These experts believe this stimulation helps release chemicals and hormones, promoting healing and well-being. Acupuncture helps with a variety of conditions, including:
- Pain relief (e.g., headaches, back pain, arthritis)
- Migraines
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Fibromyalgia
- Insomnia
- Respiratory disorders
- Labor pain or pregnancy discomfort
- Sport injuries
Education and training of acupuncturists in the United States of America
There are several different types of acupuncture programs in the United States. Some are four-year undergraduate programs, while others are two- or three-year master's degree programs. There are also a few doctorate programs available.
The most common type of program is the four-year undergraduate program. These programs typically include two years of prerequisites and two years of acupuncture training. The requirements usually include courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. After completing the prerequisite courses, students take classes in acupuncture theory, point location, and needling techniques. Most programs also need aspirants to conduct a clinical internship.
Master's degree programs typically last two or three years, including didactic coursework and clinical internships. Students in these programs take courses in advanced acupuncture theory, point location, and needling techniques. They also complete internships at clinics or hospitals where they learn to treat patients with acupuncture.
A few schools offer doctorate programs in acupuncture. These programs usually last four years and include coursework in research methods and clinical training. Students in these programs must complete a dissertation based on their research before graduating.
What are the benefits of acupuncture?
Acupuncture stimulates the body's natural healing process and can treat various conditions, such as pain, headaches, nausea, and anxiety.
As the Western world transcends to alternative medicine, one can witness the popularity of acupuncture. This popularity is not only because it is an alternative to medication and other pain management techniques but also because of its efficacy. Multiple reliable clinical trials reveal acupuncture's effectiveness in treating various conditions.
Several studies have shown that acupuncture can be an effective pain treatment.
Role of acupuncture treatment in pain management
Insertion of thin needles by the acupuncturist into the skin stimulates the release of the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals, namely, endorphins.
Acupuncture is an effective pain treatment, both chronic and acute. Several studies have proven that acupuncture can relieve various pain types, including headaches, neck pain, back pain, and arthritis pain. In addition, acupuncture is effective in treating other conditions, such as anxiety and depression.
Consulting with a licensed acupuncturist is essential if you are considering acupuncture for pain management. Acupuncturists are trained in the proper placement of needles and can tailor a treatment plan specifically for your needs.
What to expect during your visit to an acupuncturist?
When you visit an acupuncturist near you, you can expect a highly personalized approach to your treatment. Your practitioner will inquire about your specific symptoms, behaviors, and lifestyle, conducting a thorough examination that may involve assessing the painful areas of your body; examining the shape, coating, and color of your tongue; observing facial color; and evaluating the strength, quality, and rhythm of your wrist pulse.
A typical acupuncture session can last up to 60 minutes, although some sessions may be shorter in duration. Typically, for a single issue, a treatment plan involves one to two sessions per week, with the total number of recommended treatments based on the severity of your condition. In most cases, the acupuncturist may suggest 6 to 8 sessions.
During the procedure, acupuncture points will be identified throughout your body, sometimes at a distance from the site of your discomfort. Your acupuncturist will inform you about the specific treatment area and whether any clothing removal is required, providing a gown, towel, or sheet for your comfort. While in session, you'll lie on a padded table, and the following steps will unfold:
- Fine, sterilized acupuncture needles will be gently inserted at strategic points, usually causing minimal to no discomfort.
- Your practitioner may carefully manipulate the needles, moving them, twirling them, or applying mild heat or electrical pulses.
- Typically, the needles will remain in place for 10 to 15 minutes, with little or no discomfort when removed.
After the treatment, your experience may vary; some individuals feel relaxed, whereas others may feel energized. However, it's important to note that not everyone responds to acupuncture. If your symptoms do not show improvement within a few weeks, acupuncture may not be the most suitable therapy for you.
How to find the best acupuncturist near you in Pasadena, California?
If you are looking for the best acupuncturists in Pasadena, California, Zocdoc can help. Using Zocdoc, you can make a free account, choose your specialty, location, date, and insurance plan, and then search for acupuncturists based on your search criteria. The website will show acupuncturists who accept your insurance if you enter your insurance carrier's name into the search box.
The profiles of our acupuncturists include information about their educational qualifications, board certifications, clinical interests, expertise, and experience. The profile will also mention the languages they speak and whether they treat children.
Our verified reviews and ratings by past patients and acupuncturist profiles can help you make informed decisions before your visit. You can even conduct an area-specific search on Zocdoc to find acupuncturists near you. For example, suppose you want to find an acupuncturist in Pasadena, California; enter the location, and Zocdoc will quickly filter the results accordingly. You can further narrow the results by gender if you are specifically looking for a male or female acupuncturist.
You can schedule a video appointment to get to know your acupuncturist better before an in-person visit by looking for a purple video icon on the profiles of those offering such video appointments. Further, you can also find acupuncturists who accept your insurance on Zocdoc by entering your insurance plan details.
Booking appointments with acupuncturists near you on Zocdoc is simple, secure, and 100% free!
Statistics of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the U.S.
A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information declared acupuncture effective in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
In the study of 5009 individuals, 14.1% were affected by IBS. Of these, 3.3% had made a medical diagnosis, while the rest met the criteria of IBS yet remained undiagnosed. Abdominal discomfort was the most common symptom prompting persons to seek consultation. Those medically diagnosed reported alternating constipation and diarrhea at a rate of 74%. The exact rate among undiagnosed IBS sufferers was 63%. Sufferers had more occurrences of previously diagnosed gastrointestinal disorders compared to non-sufferers. Additionally, those with IBS took more days off work (6.4 vs. 3.0), spent more days in bed, and lessened their activities.
Around 76.6% of people with irritable bowel syndrome are undiagnosed in the United States. Irritable bowel syndrome negatively impacts the well-being and health of sufferers and their socioeconomic status.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Mayo Clinic
National Center for Biotechnology Information [1]
National Center for Biotechnology Information [2]
National Center for Biotechnology Information [3]
