What Does Acupuncture Treat?

What Does Acupuncture Treat

Many acupuncturists tell prospective patients a statement about acupuncture that is undeniably false. In fact, if you speak to an acupuncturist who utters this phrase, you should politely end the conversation and continue your search elsewhere for a responsible, qualified acupuncturist.

More times than I care to remember, I’ve heard stories about individuals who have called an acupuncturist to see if acupuncture will treat their specific condition, only to hear the acupuncturist proudly tell them that “acupuncture treats everything.” This statement is not only false, but it is irresponsible for any acupuncturist to make this claim. Yes, acupuncture has been shown to be helpful for a wide variety of disorders, but it certainly does not treat everything. It does not treat cancer. It does not treat epilepsy. It does not treat HIV/AIDS.

Although acupuncture doesn’t treat these types of disorders, it still may be helpful in decreasing unwanted signs and symptoms, and improving quality of life for individuals with these diseases. As an example, acupuncture will not treat cancer, but it can be a very helpful adjunct to conventional cancer treatment. Acupuncture may help reduce nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, or help reduce hot flashes and night sweats for patients undergoing radiation treatment. And for many patients, these quality of life improvements can be very profound and valuable. However the use of acupuncture in this example is not as cancer treatment, but rather to reduce adverse effects of conventional cancer treatment.

Similarly, there are many chronic diseases with no known cure, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and Alzheimer’s Disease. It would be irresponsible for anyone to say that acupuncture treats these types of diseases. Although acupuncture can be helpful in reducing various signs and symptoms associated with these types of diseases, the patient will continue to have a positive diagnosis. The patient may feel healthier and happier as a result of acupuncture treatment, but acupuncture should not be viewed as a cure for these types of diseases.

So, rather than spend more time explaining what acupuncture does not treat, let’s talk about what it does treat. Fortunately, there is an ever-growing amount of research data supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of many conditions. Firstly, acupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating many types of painful conditions. In fact, according to the Word Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture’s “effective rate in the treatment of chronic pain is comparable with that of morphine.” The World Health Organization (WHO) further states in its 2002 report that acupuncture “can be regarded as the method of choice for treating many chronically painful conditions.”

In addition, most people are surprised to learn that accredited professional degree programs in acupuncture colleges throughout the United States teach acupuncture treatment for a wide variety of disorders, including digestive, respiratory, dermatological, reproductive, emotional, hormonal , urinary, and musculoskeletal problems. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in China as a primary health care system. During that time, it has been used to treat much more than pain.

Understandably, most people inquiring about acupuncture treatment are trying to determine if acupuncture treats one specific condition … the one that they have. To get this type of personalized information, it is best to talk directly with a health care provider that is knowledgeable about acupuncture. Yet many prospective patients are frustrated by the fact that the very individuals most qualified to answer questions about acupuncture are also the same individuals that benefit financially from administering treatment. Some feel that this presents a conflict of interest, and that most acupuncturists will insist that they can treat your condition to get you in their office.

When you choose to contact an acupuncture practitioner in your area, you should consider asking if the practitioner has experience treating your specific condition and whether those treatments have been successful. It is also common to ask how many treatments the practitioner recommends before you may expect to see some noticeable improvement. In addition, it is appropriate to ask about the practitioner’s professional training and/or degree program. If you’re still uncertain, it is perfectly acceptable to ask for a free consultation where you would have a brief opportunity to meet the practitioner face to face and ask any additional questions. Practitioners get these requests often and should agree to a 15 to 30 minute free appointment. If an acupuncturist does not agree to a free consultation, continue searching for one that will.

After talking with several practitioners, you will most likely find that you communicate more easily with some than with others. Bear in mind that being able to comfortably communicate with your acupuncturist is essential as you will likely be discussing personal medical issues if you decide to proceed with acupuncture treatment. It is important that you are able to establish a good rapport with your practitioner.

In closing, there are many different types of practitioners and many different types of patients. There is no one ideal practitioner for all patients. Feel free to discuss any concerns you may have about acupuncture treatment with your acupuncturist. An effective practitioner should welcome your misgivings as an opportunity to educate you and help you feel more comfortable with the treatment process. If you feel your concerns aren’t being acknowledged or validated, consider shopping for another practitioner until you find the right one for you.