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Information on Experiencing Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Acupuncturists and practitioners of Oriental medicine have many various styles of practice. However, the following are some common aspects one may experience when visiting a practitioner:
- A thorough initial consultation that utilizes questioning, palpating areas of the body, looking at the patient’s tongue, feeling the pulses, and observation of other signs and symptoms to arrive at a diagnosis.
- Development of a treatment plan that may involve any of the therapeutic tools described in the Chinese Medicine Modalities section of the website, as well as an indication of approximately how many treatments may be required to address the patient’s health care needs.
- Use of acupuncture on the body, face and/or ears. Acupuncture procedure involves the insertion of fine sterile disposable needles into acupuncture points or areas that are tender to the touch. The sensations with needle insertion are often described as ‘pressure, warmth, tingling, a feeling of electricity, heaviness, or mild ache.’ Usually these sensations subside shortly after needle insertion. Acupuncture treatments last usually 20-40 minutes, during which patients often experience feelings of well being or relaxation.
- Recommendation of an herbal formula if the practitioner utilizes Chinese herbal medicine.
- Instructions as to diet and lifestyle changes that may be helpful to the healing process.
- Referral to or consultation with the patient’s Medical Doctor if the practitioner’s assessment warrants it.
Oriental Medicine offers a safe, cost effective health care option with relatively few side effects. The World Health Organization recognizes Oriental Medicines effectiveness in the treatment or management of over 43 common disorders. For a professional assessment regarding a health concern you are experiencing it is important to visit a licensed qualified practitioner of Oriental Medicine.
Find an Oriental Medicine practitioner in your area.
Frequently asked questions about the AOMAM and its members
What is the AOMAM's purpose? It is Minnesota's only organization for practitioners of Oriental Medicine. Its mission is:
- To advance the profession of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine within the state of Minnesota by supporrting our members through continuing education, legislative activities, and as a link to national developments and research within our profession.
- To promote the ethical and professional standards of our practitioners.
- To educate the public as to the capabilities of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and provide infromation to help them find licensed, qualified practitioners.
Who makes up the membership of the AOMAM? There are 306 nationally certified practitioners in Minnesota. AOMAM has 160 members. Most are licensed acupuncturists; the remaining members include students, institutions, and members of the public.
How are the practitioners trained? A practitioner must complete a minimum of three years of graduate study at a nationally accredited school for acupuncture and Oriental medicine. This training includes a required number of hours in the classroom and in clinics treating patients with supervision.
In Minnesota, a practitioner must also pass national certification board exams, a Clean Needle Technique exam, and then submit documentation to the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice to be designated as a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.). To maintain the license, a practitioner must complete continuing education about acupuncture, herbal medicine, first aid, and ethics.
There are many traditions in this medicine, so the backround, style, and specific training can vary from one practitioner to another.
If someone has a degree in Oriental Medicine, does that include acupuncture? Yes. Oriental medicine is the umbrella term for several modatlities of healing. It primarily includes education in Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture. Other modalities include bodywork, food therapy, exercise (such as qigong) and meditation.
Why is the name of the organization 'Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Association'? Good question! Acupuncture is the most well known healing modality of those included under the umbrella of Oriental Medicine. We use 'acupuncture' in the name so that you will know that this is what we are talking about. A licensed acupuncturist might have a degree in Oriental Medicine or in Acpuncture.
How should I choose a practitioner? As with any health care practitioner, a personal rapport will be important. Because you can't know whether it is a good fit until you meet the person, you might choose someone based on the special focus of his or her practice. You might also choose based on proximity to your work or home. In any case, it is important to remember that the training of the licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) involves understanding the theory and diagnosis of a different system of medicine. Unless a chiropractor or medical doctor has a degree in Oriental Medicine, they have not been trained in this type of thinking. In Minnesota, their education in acupuncture requires a 200 hour course.
What is acupuncture? Briefly, it is the insertion of fine solid, sterile needles into specific points on the body that are known to affect specific body functions.
Is acupuncture effective for my condition? Because Oriental medicine is a complete system with a comprehensive theory and way of understanding the body, an acupuncturist can help with most conditions. That doesn't mean that everyone who tries acupuncture attains a cure. No form of medicine can offer that guarantee nor should any practitioner suggest it. There are, of course, many variables that will determine whether or not you will get relief for your condition. The best way to find out is to try it.
How many treatments will I require? Each patient is unique and responds to acupuncture differently, so the number and frequency of treatments will vary from patient to patient.
The number of treatments needed to address a specific health concern depends upon the nature of your complaint as well as its duration and severity. You may need only a single treatment for an acute, minor condition. For a chronic problem, ten or more sessions might be required. The effect of acupuncture is cumulative, so you should see changes as you go through a course of treatments.
Since acupuncture addresses the health of the whole body, there are many people that regularly schedule acupuncture treatments as a preventative measure to maintain good health.
Can I have acupuncture in conjunction with other therapies? Yes, usually. Many people have successfully had acupuncture treatments by chiropractors, physical therapists, psychotherapists, as well as with western medications. This will vary though, so check with your acupuncturist.
Is acupuncture safe? The World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health have both evaluated the safety of acupuncture and find it to have a lower rate of side effects and complications than any prescription medications or surgical porcedures. When performed by a well-trained professional, acupuncture and related techniques have proven to be extremely safe. Needles are single-use, pre-sterilized and disposable to eliminate the risk of disease transmission, and Licensed Acupuncturists are certified in nationally recognized Clean Needle Technique protocols to ensure that needles are kept sterile.
What does acupuncture feel like? Acupuncture needles are smooth, metallic, solid and hair-thin. People experience acupuncture differently, so when the needles are inserted most feel only a slight sensation or nothing at all. Once the needles are in place, you may feel a sensation of heaviness, warmth, or tingling at and around the site of the needle, or in other parts of the body. Some people are energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed. Improper needle placement, movement of the patient, or a defect in the needle can cause soreness and pain during the treatment. This is why it is importnat to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner.
How does acupuncture work? Studies have documented acupuncture's effects, but they have not been able to fully explain how acupuncture works within the framework of the Western system of medicine that is commonly practiced in the United States. It is proposed that acupuncture produces its effects through regulating the nervous system, thus aiding the activity of pain-killing biochemicals such as endorphins and immune system cells at specific sites of the body. In addition, studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones thus affecting the parts of the central nervous system related to sensation and involuntary body functions, such as immune reactions and processes that regulate a person's blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature.
What if I am healthy? Can acupuncture help prevent future problems or enhance well being? Acupuncture is powerful preventative medicine. Many people report higher energy levels, greater focus, and ability to perform at peak levels in their work and play, by scheduling regular weekly or monthly treatments to stay in top shape.
How widely is acupuncture used in the United States? In the past two decades, acupuncture has grown in popluarity in the United States. The report from a Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 stated that acupuncture is being "widely" practice--by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists and other practitioners--for relief or prevention of pain and various other health conditions. According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey--the largest and most comprehensive survey of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by American adults to date--an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults had ever used acupuncture, and an estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the previous year.
Will it be covered by my insurance? A variety of insurance companies in Minnesota cover acupuncture. However, you should check with your insurer before you start treatment to see whether acupuncture will be covered for your condition and, if so, to what extent. Some insurance plans require preauthorization for acupuncture. Many people have succesfully used Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts for their acupuncture treatments.
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