If you are one of millions of Americans considering acupuncture for its health benefits, finding a licensed acupuncturist in Houston is important. And there are many ways to do so when searching for a practitioner.
There are also many reasons to seek out a licensed acupuncturist in Houston for treatment. They include:
- More effective acupuncture treatments
- Safer and more sanitary acupuncture treatments
- A multi-disciplinary approach to therapy
- A proven professional reputation
Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine modality, and like most therapies in Chinese medicine, it’s designed to be individualized to the patient. An acupuncture point or medicinal herb that works for one person may not be as effective for the next person. Customized treatment plans provide the best results, and a licensed acupuncturist will have the knowledge and experience to develop them.
How to Find a Licensed Acupuncturist in Houston
There are many acupuncturists practicing in the Houston area, but only some of them are licensed, and even fewer are experienced in other forms of medicine, which is important for patients managing a chronic condition. To ensure your treatment is administered by a licensed professional, here’s where to look:
- A doctor’s referral – Your primary care physician or a trusted specialist can provide a recommendation for an acupuncturist in some cases. A physician’s referral should be your first stop, as you’ll know that the acupuncturist comes with a doctor’s recommendation.
And with a growing rate of chronic conditions among U.S. patients, physicians are more likely to consider alternative adjunct therapies like acupuncture, so getting a referral is easier than it used to be. - A trusted friend, family member or coworker – Thousands of people in Houston receive care from acupuncturists every year. As such, there’s a good chance that you know someone who sees an acupuncturist regularly. Ask around and see if anyone in your social circle has had success with acupuncture. As effective acupuncture treatment often comes down to comfort with a particular practitioner, identifying an acupuncturist who has a good patient relationship with a friend will give you a head start. Just make sure the recommendation is a licensed practitioner.
- Check professional organizations – Most states have state-level professional associations for licensed acupuncturists. For people finding a licensed acupuncturist in Houston, the Texas Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (TAAOM) maintains a database of licensed acupuncturists practicing in Texas and Houston. This is a good first stop for patients and can help narrow down your search to licensed professionals in your area.
In addition to the above, you can always take your search online, but before selecting a licensed acupuncturist based on their website and online presence, there are a few boxes to check.
Three Things to Consider When Searching for a Licensed Houston Acupuncturist Online
It’s likely that your search for a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner will eventually take you online. If so, there are some important traits to look for in any practice you’re considering. They include:
- Dual certification in medicine – Acupuncture is considered an adjunct form of therapy. It’s not the first line of treatment, in other words, but a supportive therapy instead. If you’re managing a chronic condition, acupuncture will be only one part of your treatment regimen, with western, allopathic medicine also factoring into treatment.
A blend of western and Chinese medicine renders the best results, so it’s an advantage to have an acupuncturist who is also board certified in western medicine. With dual certification, acupuncturists can blend traditional Chinese medicine techniques with modern western medicine, providing maximum treatment efficacy and safety.
- A history of positive patient reviews – Acupuncture’s efficacy depends, in part, on the practitioner’s skill and technique. Which acupuncture points are targeted? How deeply are the acupuncture needles inserted in the skin? What other therapies are offered with acupuncture? Patient reviews can help indicate if a particular acupuncturist is able to deliver consistent results to patients.
- A whole-body approach to care – Although acupuncture’s effects can be traced to many physiological factors, there are clearly psychological factors at work as well. Several medical studies show that acupuncture sessions reduce symptoms in anxiety patients during and immediately following treatment, for example.
When visiting a Houston acupuncturist’s website, you can get a sense of the practitioner’s approach to care and what other therapies they are willing to combine with acupuncture to address all of their patient’s health concerns. Ideally, the practitioner will offer a full array of therapies to optimize their treatment results.
A Licensed Houston Acupuncturist Will Provide Safe, Effective Treatment
Acupuncture licensing ensures the practitioner engages in best treatment practices as they relate to efficacy and safety. They observe proper sanitary procedures, are well-researched in treatment delivery and can use their multidisciplinary approach to improve treatment outcomes in a variety of patients.
Licensed acupuncturists are also easy to find. A doctor’s referral, a referral from a family member or friend, or a quick search for professional acupuncture organizations online can all provide useful leads and help you get one step closer to an acupuncturist you can trust.
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