Finding a qualified acupuncturist

Considerations when looking for your health provider

When a health problem comes up, or we just want to stay in a healthy state, you want to find a practitioner with certain qualifications.  You are putting your time and trust into someone and expecting to get the best in your search efforts.  Below are some of the qualities worth looking for:

Education and certification:  Obviously the first important step is to make sure they have the right education.  Acupuncture school is a 4 year program, with additional training that some choose to undertake.  Make sure your provider graduated from an accredited school.    Also there are numerous boards that ensure that your provider is qualified for the task of providing healing for you that come after graduation.  There are state boards and licensing, and there are national boards such as NCCAOM (National Center for Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine).

Years of experience:  In western allopathic medicine and in eastern medicine such as acupuncture, there is a reason they call the work a practice.  The complexity of human health and disease is so complex that there is no substitute for experience.  The longer a practitioner has been in practice, the more likely they have seen your specific type of issue and the more likely to be able to help you achieve your optimal health by seeing underlying issues, propensities and choose the right treatment plan.

Specialized training:  In allopathic medicine, the field is very specialized and depending on the issue, a different specialty of physician is recommended.  With acupuncture, a practitioner treats almost all conditions in their office and their efficacy depend on their experience and their specialized training.  In other words there is specializations in the field of acupuncture but not to the extent of western medicine.  Ask about your specific needs and your practitioners experience with the particulars you are interested in.

Professional affiliations:  Again, the more training and knowledge your practitioner has, the more likely they can help you achieve your goal.  I am a member of Acupuncture Society of America, National board of Acupuncture Detoxification Association, and have an extensive research background in immunology, cancer research, and neuropharmacology and imaging.

A good listener:  people in todays society are so rushed, even health care practitioners that they have lost the art of listening to what is being said:  what the patient wants and is seeking.  I am a great listener and never allow my patients to feel rushed.  A session is one hour long, except for the first one which includes a physical and intake which makes in 1.5 hrs long, and that is plenty of time to find out what improvements have been achieved already, and what adjustments to the treatment plan needs to be made.

Ask questions:  I am available for a consultation in person or over the phone so you can be sure we are a good fit before making your appointment.  The more informed the patient is and what to expect, the better the outcome.

Conclusion

Make sure your practitioner is qualified to treat you by having graduated from an accredited school, has the experience you are looking for, and is a good listener, and has a clean and healing office for optimal results.

Summit Healing Arts in Dupont, run and operated by me, Artin Mahboubi, offers a singularly focused and personalized acupuncture experience. With my expertise in both traditional techniques and modern science, I provide a path to wellness that addresses a wide range of physical and emotional concerns. Take the first step toward holistic healing and experience the transformative benefits of acupuncture.

If you have any questions, please give me a call or send an email