About Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a comprehensive healing system from Asia that is at least 3,000 years old. Acupuncture works with the energy, or Qi (pronounced Chee), that flows through the body’s skin, muscles, and organs along pathways called meridians. By stimulating specifc points of the meridians, acupuncture directs energy throughout the body’s networks and unblocks the obstructions that cause pain and disharmony. Acupuncture therapies encourage the body to restore its own equilibrium.

• What does acupuncture treat?

  Modern research and international health organizations agree that acupuncture is a safe and highly effective treatment for many conditions including:Digestive Diffculties: such as food allergies, peptic ulcers, chronic diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastrointestinal weakness, anorexia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastritis.

  Bladder Disorders: including incontinence, urinary tract infections, and prostatitis.

  Reproductive Issues: such as irregular, heavy or painful menstruation, premenstrual syndrome, infertility in women and men, menopausal symptoms and sexual dysfunctions.

  Pain: such as arthritis, migraine headaches, neuralgia, dizziness, and low back, neck, dental and shoulder pain.

  Circulatory Problems: such as hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis and anemia.

  Emotional Issues: including depression, insomnia and anxiety.

  Addictions: such as alcohol, nicotine and drugs.

  Supportive Therapy: reduces nausea, vomiting, post-operative pain, and the side effects of chemotherapy.

  Breathing Problems: such as colds and flu as well as chronic respiratory conditions - emphysema, sinusitis, asthma, allergies and bronchitis.

• Is acupuncture safe?

  When performed by a qualifed professional, acupuncture is one of the safest medical procedures in the world. A licensed and certified practitioner is one who has completed a three to four year program at a nationally approved school, passed national certification, comprehensive exams, and actively seeks continuing education.

  Your safety is assured in the hands of a trained and licensed acupuncturist. Acupuncture needles are sterile and used only once. Moxibustion (or moxa for short) is always directly supervised by an acupuncturist as are electrostimulation and cupping.

• Does acupuncture hurt?

  Acupuncture uses very fine needles approximately the size of a human hair to engage the meridians. As they are gently manipulated, patients typically feel a dull ache, tingling or heaviness in the area or along the meridian. These sensations are attributed to the arrival of Qi and signal the beginning of the healing process. Although each individual will experience acupuncture differently, common responses are a feeling of renewed energy and deep relaxation. 

• Is your Acupuncturist Qualified?

  In order to become an Acupuncturist:

  Students must attend an ACAOM accredited Master’s degree program from an educational institution.  ACAOM is recognized by the U.S. Department of Higher Education.  www.acaom.org

  Oriental Medicine schools require 2,500 – 3,000 hours of training which focuses on Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture, tui na (physiotherapy/therapeutic massage), Chinese herbal medicine, Chinese nutrition, and Qigong and/or Tai Chi (energetic exercise/meditation)Science courses are also offered in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, western medical pathology, western nutrition, and psychology.

  Once the training has been completed, graduates sit for the national board exams administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), www.nccaom.org which is the only national board examination certifying Acupuncturists in the United States.

  A minimum of 1,800 hours of Chinese Medical education and supervised clinical training plus graduation from an accredited acupuncture school (which most require 2,500 – 3,000 hours) is required to sit for this exam.

  Upon passing the NCCAOM exam an Acupuncturist is awarded the title "Diplomate of Acupuncture" (Dipl.Ac.). Recently there is a new certification that includes proficiency in both Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology.  This title is a “Diplomate in Oriental Medicine” (Dipl.O.M.).  Acupuncture certification is renewed every four years with the requirement of completing at least 60 hours of continuing education.

  Sadly, there are other standards for those calling themselves "Acupuncturists" or utilizing forms of "Acupuncture" here in South Dakota:

  • Chiropractors (D.C.s)- need only 100 hours of training, review 25 case histories and no examination to legally perform "acupuncture" in South Dakota.

  • Medical Doctors (M.D.s) and Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.s) have no minimum training requirements to do "acupuncture" in this state. They call themselves "Medical Acupuncturist

  Ask your Acupuncturist if he or she is NCCAOM certified (Dipl.Ac. or Dipl. O.M.) to insure that you are receiving care from a well-qualified Acupuncturist.