Acupuncture treats different kinds of body pains that are mostly associated with diseases and disorders. These acupuncture treatments are considered safe for almost everyone. However, these treatments must be done by a registered acupuncturist or trained professional to lessen the chance of risks.

What is an Acupuncturist?

An acupuncturist is the one who administers or performs the insertion of thin needles to the patient’s skin surface, which provides several health benefits. More than the act of thin needles insertion, the acupuncturist will assess a patient’s conditions and offer advice on self-care or other therapies such as Chinese herbs. A registered acupuncturist may also use cups, nutritional supplements, acupressure, therapeutic massage, and other health therapies.

What does Acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture is done to relieve discomfort and pain in different parts of the patient’s body. These pains are usually associated with a variety of diseases such as:

– Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative vomiting and nausea

– Osteoarthritis

– Menstrual cramps

– Respiratory disorders

– Dental pain

– Headaches and migraines

– Neck pain

– Labor pain

– Low back pain

Is Acupuncture Safe?

Generally, acupuncture treatments are safe when done by a registered acupuncturist or other trained professional. The U.S Food and Drug Administration regulates the needles used in acupuncture treatments to ensure proper usage of such thin needles. These acupuncture needles must be sterile, nontoxic, and for single use only. Otherwise, the transmission of infectious disease is possible.

Additionally, acupuncture treatment may not be good for everyone. There’s a high chance of complications if the patient:

Has a bleeding disorder.
Has a pacemaker
Is pregnant.

How to become an Acupuncturist?

For you to legally administer and perform acupuncture treatments, you have to undergo, and complete required programs related to the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or AOM.

1. It requires a master’s degree. You need to complete a master’s degree before you can perform Acupuncture to the patients. Different acupuncture schools offer masters in Acupuncture such as Master of Science in Oriental Medicine, Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine, or Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

2. It requires at least 60-credits from an accredited college. Before applying or entering into Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine programs, you need to have a minimum of 60-credits from an accredited college. Otherwise, you need to complete additional schooling from an accredited school.

3. Training at a nationally accredited school of Acupuncture. The student must have on-site training, hundreds of clinical experiences, and at least 250 patients.

4. Licensure Exam Passer. The National Certification Commission For Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is the only recognized as the authority for the quality AOM program in the U.S. The student must pass the acupuncture licensure exam to be a registered acupuncturist.

Becoming a trained and acupuncturist requires you to take several years and spend several thousands of dollars at a graduate school. This career has a promising future since there’s an increased demand of approximately four to six percent over five years in the U.S. If you want to know more of this amazing holistic medicine, you can make an appointment to a professional acupuncturist. In the Broomfield area reach out to Marchand Orthopedic Acupuncture at (303) 819-9967.

acupuncturist Broomfield registered acupuncturist