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How to Choose an AcupuncturistHave you been looking for an acupuncturist to help you with your women's health, pregnancy health or fertility health issues? It's not so easy to decide who is best.
Most practitioners say they can help you with 10 or 20 different health disorders, including infertility or pregnancy related issues. You might wonder how one person can be knowledgeable about so many different issues.
The truth is that acupuncturists are a lot like your family doctor; we're trained to help you with a wide variety of issues. This is limiting!
After a while this was not appealing to me. When I finished school, I saw people for headaches, back pain, digestive issues, cancer, diabetes, and on and on. It was overwhelming trying to keep up with all of these issues, reading and studying, so I could make a difference for my patients and be the best possible solution for their issue.
It soon became very clear to me that most of my patients were women and I was dealing with a number of women's health issues. Finally I saw the light and decided to specialize. I was intrigued by the role acupuncture can play in fertility, pregnancy and reproductive health, so I enrolled in postgraduate training with some of the world's leading experts in Chinese medicine and reproductive medicine. Today, after much studying and research, I continue to persue membership with the American Board of Oriental and Reproductive Medicine, and I continue to take courses to stay on top of new developments in both pregnancy and reproductive health.
Why am I telling you all this? Because if you plan to see an acupuncturist for women's health, pregnancy health, or reproductive health issues, it is in your best interest to find an acupuncturists who devotes all of his or her time to the speciality that suits your needs. This means you will receive the best possible and most effective care!
Here are some questions to ask acupuncturists:
1. Have you had extra training in OB/GYN and reproductive medicine? The answer should be yes.
2. Can you treat pregnant women? Are there any limitations to this? Look for someone very familiar with pregnancy who understands his or her limitations.
3. Where were you trained and who did you have your training with? You want to hear of training with reproductive medicine experts.
4. What does your practice focus on? Is it only pregnancy health? Do you only treat fertility issues in women, or do you see men as well? This will tell you how specialized the person is.
5. Should I see a midwife, an endocrinologist, or an OB/GYN, or just stick with you? A combination of Eastern and Western medicine is best for you and baby. Always see someone who promotes having a regular relationship with a Doctor or Midwife!
Remember to ask questions until you are satisfied and you understand the Chinese medicine process. Also, it takes a minimum of three months of treatments for natural fertility treatments. Other treatments can also take longer. Be wary if someone promises or guarantees immediate success.
If you have any questions about how to find an acupuncturist specializing in women's health, pregnancy-related issues or infertility, please contact me. If you live in the Edmonton region and would like to discuss how acupuncture might help you, contact me for a free consultation. | |
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