Sunday, October 17, 2010

Acupuncture in Los Angeles

Physical pain, discomfort and mobility problems are a common occurrence among many people in the developed world. A national survey found that more than one-thirds of Americans have experienced pain that lasted for more than a day, some time during their lifetime.


In a majority of cases, the pain is related to arthritis, back or neck problems. Nature of work is one factor. Long hours at the desk wreck havoc on the body. The fact that many Americans are overweight compounds the problem.


Traditional therapy methods like the use of painkillers, casts or other devices have had limited success in alleviating these problems permanently. Besides, the regular use of medicines exerts a heavy price in terms of side effects and complications. That is why many people turn to alternative healing practices for pain relief, weight problems and mobility issues.

Among these, acupuncture is one of the most sought after techniques of healing.

How to choose a Los Angeles acupuncture practitioner:


The US alone has more than 15,000 certified acupuncturists. Some of them, however, have limited training of about 100 to 200 hours only. If you want good results, it is better to go to acupuncturists who have extensive experience. Such a practitioner would have dealt with many problems like arthritis, weight problems and so on. So, they are more equipped to heal you effectively and without delay.


Here's how you can go about finding such an acupuncture specialist in Los Angeles.



Word of mouth or referral is no doubt the best way of identifying a good acupuncture practitioner in your area.

Ask your friends or relatives for references.


You could always approach your family practitioner for reference.



Some of the important points to be kept in mind before you undergo treatment from anacupuncturist in Los Angeles are:



Whether the acupuncture practitioner has undergone an accredited acupuncture training program and whether the course period lasted at least for 3 years.




Whether the acupuncture practitioner has treated a variety of conditions and symptoms. If they have, they will have better insight into your situation.




Whether the specialist gives you a realistic picture of the recovery process and rate. If the acupuncture practitioner in Los Angeles makes tall claims, you need to be wary of them. Although acupuncture is very effective in treating many ailments, the degree of success of the treatment varies from individual to individual. Therefore, no claims may be made at the beginning of the treatment.




Whether you feel comfortable with the specialist. Acupuncture is a holistic form of medicine. The aim of the treatment is to restore balance between the various systems in the body. Thus, the acupuncturist must take the time to get to know their patient before treatment starts.



The only way to collect the above information is to find the information straight from the practitioner. Before you choose the acupuncture practitioner in Los Angeles, make it a point to ask questions. Knowledge is the key here and it is important to know why and how this system of self care works and how it will help your specific case.