| About Acupuncture What Is Acupuncture? Is Acupuncture Right for Me? How Do I Choose? | Glossary Treatment Applications Types of Acupuncture Credentials |
How Do I Choose An Acupuncturist?
If you have a medical condition that's been diagnosed by a medical doctor, but hasn't gone away, consider asking your doctor whether acupuncture could help you. More and more medical doctors, including general practitioners, neurologists, and anesthesiologists, are becoming trained in acupuncture. Before seeing an acupuncturist, make sure he or she is licensed. There are many types of licenses and credentials in this field.
A certified acupuncturist (CA), for example, has completed between 2,000 and 3,000 hours of training and received accreditation after passing a board exam. An acupuncturist with an DiplAc or DiplCH has completed a program (usually three years) at a school accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. While a doctor of oriental medicine (DOM) degree can indicate many levels of training, and a licensed acupuncturist credential (LAc) has three years of training and a state license.
