When Looking For An Acupuncture Clinic Columbus Residents Should Consider These Points

By Olivia Cross


Acupuncture is an alternative approach to healing with its roots in Eastern medicine. Considered to be an effective technique to manage pain and promote recovery, the success of this treatment depends largely on the competency of the acupuncturist who performs it. When choosing an acupuncture clinic Columbus OH patients must be sure that the following important criteria are met if they are to have a positive experience.

This branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine aims to cure illness and pain at its source. Long, fine needles are gently inserted into certain points on the body for the purpose of unblocking and re-balancing the flow of energy. Central to this discipline is the belief that all disease and pain is the result of disruptions in the body's essential flow of energy.

Patients in search of an acupuncturist are more often than not looking to get healed of a particular disorder. There are many practitioners who practice covers a broad range of conditions, while others concentrate on the treatment of one specific illness or a related group of illnesses. This type of specialized care is typically a good fit for people whose primary goal is to be healed of that same disorder.

Acupuncturists in the state of Ohio must obtain a license in order to practice. Issued by the state medical board, an applicant must provide proof of possessing the minimum number of classroom and clinical hours to be deemed eligible. Licensed acupuncturists must also be certified with the NCCAOM, a national regulatory board for Oriental Medicine. Patients must verify that the acupuncturist does have these credentials.

Besides Traditional Chinese acupuncture, there are also other styles, which differ in technique and in their results. The Korean style primarily uses the hands as insertion sites, and the Japanese style uses a finer needle and shallow depth of penetration. While no one is considered superior, some are better suited for the treatment of certain problems than others. Ear and scalp acupuncture are used for helping patients to lose weight, stop smoking, or recover from nerve disorders respectively.

The acupuncturist should only recommend the appropriate number of treatments once he or she has met with the patient in person and obtained a health history. This aspect of therapy can differ considerably from one patient to the next, depending on their condition and how the body responds to this procedure. Most patients will visit the acupuncturist at least once per week. Usually acute disorders require more frequent sessions than chronic ones.

Those who are interested in trying other forms of Chinese medicine besides acupuncture should look for an acupuncturist who can also provide these services. Some of them are also herbalists who can prescribe herbal health products for healing, or they may also practice food therapy and lifestyle counseling. Other forms of healing may include cupping and heat therapy, which are done to relieve pain.

Most insurance plans do not include acupuncture, however some exceptions may exist, so it's advisable to check this out first before going ahead and paying for it oneself. In most cases, it is eligible for reimbursement under most flexible savings and health savings plans, provided the patient has requested that a receipt be issued by the acupuncturist.




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