ACUPUNCTURE involves inserting HAIR-thin needles into your SKIN to relieve pain. Find out how acupuncture works and what conditions it can treat. Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely thin needles through your SKIN, to various depths at strategic points on your body. Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago, but over the past two decades its popularity has grown significantly within the United States. Although scientists don't fully understand how or why acupuncture WORKS, some studies indicate that it may provide a number of medical BENEFITS— from reducing pain to helping with chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Choosing an acupuncture practitioner :
If you're considering acupuncture, do the same things you would do if you were choosing a doctor:
* Check the practitioner's training and credentials. Most states require that non-physician acupuncturists pass an exam conducted by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
* Interview the practitioner. Ask what's involved in the TREATMENT, how likely it is to help your condition and how much it will cost.
* Find out whether the expense is covered by your INSURANCE.
Don't be afraid to tell your doctor you're considering acupuncture. He or she may be able to tell you about the success rate of using acupuncture for your condition or recommend an acupuncture practitioner for you to try.
