Choosing an acupuncturist can be an overwhelming experience for some people, but it doesn’t have to be if you know what to look for. Ideally, asking friends and family for a recommendation is the best way, though this is not always possible. The following are 3 important questions to ask before booking your first appointment.
The 3 Most Important Things
You Need To Know...
3. Do They Offer Payment Options For Those Without Insurance Coverage?
Ask if they offer flexible payment options such as CareCredit. CareCredit is an alternative method of payment used for healthcare procedures. It offers low monthly payments with low or no interest.
2. Do They Offer a FREE Initial Consultation?
Before scheduling an appointment, ask if they offer a free consultation, or at least the opportunity to speak with the acupuncturist over the phone. If they are too busy to talk to you, they may be too busy to provide you with high quality care. If they are busy with a patient when you call, be sure to leave a message so that they can call you back.
1. Are They a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.)?
Medical Doctors and Chiropractors who practice acupuncture are not Licensed Acupuncturists, and are only required to obtain between 50-150 hours of training in the technical use of acupuncture prior to using it as a treatment. Currently, the state of California requires a minimum of 3,000 hours of education and clinical training prior to sitting for the California Acupuncture License Exam. Licensed Acupuncturist’s also practice internal Chinese medicine, which focuses on the underlying cause of a problem rather than just treating symptoms. As a result, their treatments go beyond simple pain relief offered by most chiropractors and medical acupuncturists.
Licensed Acupuncturists must also have a Masters degree in either Acupuncture or Oriental Medicine. The distinction between the two is that a practitioner with a Masters in Acupuncture is trained primarily in acupuncture. A practitioner with a Masters in Oriental Medicine is trained both in acupuncture and in traditional Chinese herbal medicine.
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