How Do I Select An Acupuncturist?
NYC Acupuncture FAQ No. 1.
Q. What is Acupuncture?
A. Acupuncture is one of five branches of Traditional Medicine. The other branches include nutritional guidance, Tui na ( a form of Chinese Medical Massage), exercise ( Qi Gong and Tai Ji), herbal therapy. In NYS Acupuncture is defined in the Education Law as:
[t]he treating, by means of mechanical, thermal or electrical stimulation effected by the insertion of needles or by the application of heat, pressure or electrical stimulation at a point or combination of points on the surface of the body predetermined on the basis of the theory of the physiological interrelationship of body organs with an associated point or combination of points for diseases, disorders and dysfunctions of the body for the purpose of achieving a therapeutic or prophylactic effect.
NYS Education Law,§ 160.
From the Traditional Medical perspective, acupuncture is the manipulation of the body’s energy through the insertion of fine needles at specified points on the body with the goal of helping the body to heal and strengthen. This energy is referred to as Qi (pronounced Chee). When illness occurs it is an external manifestation of weak or disordered Qi. Acupuncture helps to re-order and strengthen the Qi and thereby eliminate the underlying condition and the symptoms.
Acupuncture is part of an ancient medical system that has been practiced for thousands of years. performed by inserting fine needles into specified points on the body. These points have different effects on the Qi and needling a particular point will effect a particular result. Generally a number of points are selected based on the particular condition and the individual’s general constitution.
NYC Acupuncture FAQ No. 2.
Q. How Does Acupuncture Work?
A. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles at specific points on the body. The selection of the points depends on the particular condition of the patient and the diagnosis given by the practitioner. How it works is an ongoing subject of debate. Traditionally, it works through the manipulation of Qi to effect a particular result. Illness is thought to be the result of a disorder of essential body substances of Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang. To much or too little of these substances will result in an imbalance in the function of the body’s systems and over time those imbalances will manifest in a collection of symptoms associated with a particular illness.
These substances travel through the body in channels or meridians. Each of us has twelve primary channels and eight extraordinary channels. They deliver the essential substances throughout the body to nourish organs, systems and body surfaces. Each of the body’s organs, channels and systems is connected through the channel system. If there is an imbalance in one, it effecst another associated organ or system.
More modern explanations of how acupuncture works focus on the effect of acupuncture on the hormones. Studies show that acupuncture increases the level of certain hormones in the body. For instance acupuncture increases the levels of endorphins in our body’s. Endorphins are hormone which effect brain centers that have an effect on our emotional wellbeing -- they improve our sense of wellbeing. This explains why so many people report an improved sense of wellbeing following an acupuncture treatment.
Regardless of the theory subscribed to, there is no question that acupuncture works on many and varied conditions.
NYC Acupuncture FAQ No. 3
Q. What Does Acupuncture Treat?
A. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its findings regarding acupuncture in a publication titled “Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials.” It states,
[G]enerally speaking, acupuncture treatment is safe if performed properly by a well trained practitioner. Unlike many drugs, it is non-toxic, and adverse reactions are minimal . . . acupuncture is comparable with morphine preparations in its effectiveness against chronic pain, but without the adverse effects of morphine, such as dependency. It notes there are numerous conditions for which acupuncture has been shown to be effective.
Those conditions include:
- Tension headache
- Migraine
- Facial pain
- Craniomandibular disorders
- Temporomandibular joint
- disorder (TMJ)
- Restricted joint motion
- Muscle spasm
- Arthralgia
- Peri-arthritis
- Cervical Spondylitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Epicondylitis
- Fascitis
- Low Back Pain
- Sciatica
- Osteoarthritis of the knee
- Radicular pain syndromes
- Inflammation
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Gout
- Biliary and Renal Colic
- Traumatic pain
- Post-operative pain
- Labor Pain
- Reduction in Duration of Labor
- Regulation of Blood Pressure
- Stimulation of Immune System
- Neuralgia
- Sequeale of Stroke
- Hemiplegia
- Aphasia
- Bell’s Palsy
- Facial Spasm
- Insomnia
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Tonsilitis
- Sore Throat
- Bronchial Asthma
- Peptic Ulcer
- Acute and Chronic Gastritis
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Morning Sickness
- Chemotherapy induced Leukopenia
- Primary Dysmenorrhea
- PMS
- Regulates hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis
- Induction of Labor
- Stimulates Lactation
- Hypotension
- Angina Pectoris
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Depression
- Stress
- Drug Dependence
- Diarrhea
Similarly, the New York State Board of Acupuncture (the independent Board which regulates the practice of acupuncture in NYS) has identified many conditions that it notes may respond to acupuncture. These include conditions relating to:
- Neurological system
- Musculo-skeletal system
- Respiratory system
- Gynecological and reproductive system
- Digestive system
- Gento-urinary system
The Board also states that acupuncture may help with:
- Acute and chronic pain
- Maintaining emotional balance
- Stress reduction and detoxification
www.op.nysed.gov/acubp.html
NYC Acupuncture FAQ No. 4.
Q. What Training and Credentials Do Acupuncturists Have?
A. In NYS acupuncturists are independent health care providers; you do not need a Dr’s referral to be treated. The requirements for licensure have changed over time. Currently, in NYS Licensed Acupuncturists are required to undertake a course of study involving 4,050 hours of classroom instruction, supervised clinical experience, and out of classroom or out of clinic study assignments. This must be done at an institution with a program registered and approved by the NYS Board of Regents. This must be done at an institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Board of Regents.
In addition, to obtain a license, an NYS acupuncturist must successfully complete an examination of the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. The individual may then receive a License to Practice Acupuncture in the State Of New York. He or she will be designated L.Ac. The initial license is good for a period of 3 years. Thereafter, the licensed must be renewed every three years.
You can determine of a person is currently licensed by checking the NYS Department of Education Online License Verifications. www.op.nysed.gov/
There are other designations in NYS that enable a person to practice acupuncture. These relate to medical doctors, dentists and individuals who practice acupuncture for the treatment of alcoholism, substance dependence or chemical dependency (detox pratitioners).
M.D.s and Dentists are permitted to practice acupuncture after having completed 200 hours of study and 100 hours of supervised clinical experience. Detox practitioners have training provided by a hospital or other institution determined to have adequate resources and may only provide treatment in a hospital or clinical program and the practice must be limited to the treatment of alcoholism, substance dependence or chemical dependency.
NYC Acupuncture FAQ No. 5.
Q. How Do You Select An Acupuncturist?
A. One of the best ways to find an acupuncturist is to ask people you know for a recommendation. If you do not know anyone who has had acupuncture, then you can find listing on Acupuncture Society of New York's website (www.ASNY.org/) and on the websites of the National Certification Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. www.NCCAOM.org/. These organizations provide listings of their members in good standing.
Once you have located one or two options then contact the individual practitioner and briefly discuss your situation. It is important to be comfortable with your practitioner. It is appropriate to ask about their training and experience, particularly as it relates to your particular condition.
Ask about their education. Some practitioners degrees from institutes, others have Master Degrees from colleges. Thgese involve study of upwards of 4,050 hours. These practitioners are Licensed Acupuncturists. Other practitioners, such as MD's, hold certificates and have only studied for 300 hours. They are not licensed acupuncturist, rather they are certified acupuncturists. The designation indicates a lesser level of training.
For those who hold degrees, they vary in terms of the subjects studied. Some practitioners hold degrees in acupuncture (MSAC), while others hold degrees in Traditional Oriental Medicine(MSTOM). The MSTOM degree represents the study of acupuncture and additional subjects, such as herbal studies. The MSTOM is broader in scope then the MSAC degree and both represent a higher level of training than the certified practitioner.
Some practitioners are members in Good Standing of professional organizations. One such organization is the National Commission on Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. To be a member of this organization the practitioner is required to participate in continuing professional education courses which have been approved by the Commission. You should feel free to ask about all of these qualifications.
If you have insurance coverage for acupuncture, determine if they accept insurance your particular insurance. Be sure to ask about fees and cancellation policies. You may also want to view the practitioner’s website to learn more about them and their practice.
The bottom line is that they will become one of your health care providers and it is important that you satisfy yourself about their practice and that you are comfortable working with them.
Thank you for visiting our NYC Acupuncture FAQs. For more information about NYC Acupuncture FAQs, or if you would like to make an appointment, contact us at 917.968.2854
West Village Acupuncture
4 Milligan Place
Suite 1F
New York, N.Y. 10011
6th Ave btwn 10th & 11th
917.968.2854
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