Alternative Therapy - Acupuncture

WILL IT HELP YOU?

Acupuncture is simple, and it often works. It has few side effects or complications, and the cost is low. For these reasons, it can be a good choice for some problems that have no underlying cause which can be treated.

Some people use acupuncture to decrease stress, although there are no research data to support the effectiveness of acupuncture for stress control. If it works for you, it hardly matters that we can't find qi or that skeptics think it's a placebo. However, it is important to remember that acupuncture does not cure diseases like cancer. It should not be expected to slow or reverse growth or spread of cancer.

There are 6,500 acupuncture practitioners in the U.S. today. In addition to those trained primarily as acupuncturists, more than 3,000 MDs and D.O.s (Doctors of Osteopathy) in the United States have attended courses in acupuncture and incorporate it into their practices. Such training programs are affiliated with major medical centers such as those at UCLA and NYU.

Many conventional physicians refer patients to well-trained and experienced acupuncturists. Names of qualified acupuncturists can be obtained from one of the national associations that provides names of practitioners who meet competency standards, such as the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine located in Pennsylvania, (610) 266-1433, or the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists in Washington, D.C., (202) 232- 1404.

Licensure and regulations regarding the practice of acupuncture vary by state. Thirty-four states, and the District of Columbia, license or regulate the practice of acupuncture. Many private health insurance plans and HMOs cover acupuncture services. Check with your own insurance plan, and talk with your doctor before seeking acupuncture or any other therapy on your own.

Acupuncture is an example of complementary, as opposed to alternative, therapy. Complementary therapies are used to complement or serve as additions to conventional medicine, relieving symptoms, reducing stress, enhancing well being. In contrast, alternative therapies are unproven methods promoted to treat disease, and they are offered for use instead of, or as alternatives to conventional medical care. Treatments promoted for use "instead" of medical care should be avoided.

Like other complementary therapies, acupuncture may be used in relieving certain symptoms of cancer and side effects of cancer treatment. Acupuncture should not be expected to slow or reverse growth or spread of cancer.

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