ESPRITWOMENSHEALTH

Many people are intimidated by acupuncture because it seems ancient and they have a fear that the needles will be painful. However, if you suffer from pain that is debilitating to your life, it is high time that you face your fears of acupuncture. It has been shown to relieve pain and it is not as scary or painful as most people think. Keep reading to find out the truth about acupuncture therapy.

Choose a licensed professional for your acupuncture treatment. Do not hesitate to ask if you can see a licence or get some references. If you have doubts about your acupuncturist, it is best to cancel your appointments and choose another doctor who seems more professional. Do some research online to learn more about different doctors.

Make sure you contact your insurance company prior to scheduling acupuncture appointments. Your policy may not cover the treatments available. Also ask your practitioner which insurance plans they accept so you are not hit with a sizable bill you had not expected.

Ask your acupuncturist about their education. Acupuncturists need to go to medical school for four years before completing an internship. The internship should last at least eighteen months. If your acupuncturist cannot prove they have this kind of educational background, you should find another specialized doctor who can treat you.

Be sure you are seeing an appropriately licensed acupuncturist. That means that your practitioner has more credentials than an easy weekend program. If your acupuncturist is licensed by your State Health Department, you can rest assured he or she is properly trained.

Be skeptical of any acupuncturist who says that they will cure you of a serious medical condition like cancer. There is no question that acupuncture is effective for many things, but it should not replace conventional treatments for diseases like cancer. If you have a serious illness, continue seeing your medical doctor.

Don’t look at your acupuncture session as a time to pick up a book. Yes, you are laying quietly for up to an hour, but it’s your job to relax–even meditate if you want to–during the session. Your practitioner needs your help in this matter. The more relaxed you are, the better the session will be.

Do not drink coffee for a couple of hours before you attend an acupuncture session. Caffeine increases the firing of cortisol in your system. This means that you are more likely to feel pain if you have coffee prior to your session. This also means that you should avoid consuming anything else that contains caffeine as well.

Chronic pains can be cured with acupuncture. If you often experience pain in your lower back or in your joints, you should find a good acupuncturist. You should notice a difference after your first treatment but additional sessions will be needed to make sure your chronic pain does not come back.

As you can see, there is no reason to be intimidated by acupuncture at all. It can be a wonderful therapy for relieving pain that is difficult to control by traditional means. Use the tips and information you’ve learned here to find an acupuncture therapist who can help you realize relief from your pain.