Acupuncture to quit smoking.
Acupuncture may help people stop smoking -- right after quitting, it may help relieve the nicotine withdrawal (not proven yet).
Ask your doctor.
Ask your doctor if she thinks acupuncture might help your condition, and for a referral - treatments may be covered by your health insurance.
Blood thinners.
Acupuncture using needles may not be right for you if you are taking any type of blood thinner (anticoagulant, such as warfarin). Ask your doctor.
Bursitis and Tendonitis.
Consider acupuncture as part of a treatment plan for bursitis and tendonitis.
Check your insurance.
See if your insurance covers acupuncture. Find out the deductible & co-pay for complementary and alternative medicine treatments.
Credentials.
Check your acupuncturist's credentials. Look for accreditation by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Infertility treatment.
Preliminary results suggest acupuncture may increase the success rate of in vitro fertilization (published in BMJ, Feb 2008).
Muscle spasms.
Consider acupuncture if you have painful muscle spasms, along with trigger points (areas of the skin that are sensitive and cause radiating pain).
Needle size.
Needles in Japanese acupuncture are smaller than in Chinese acupuncture (EG, goshin needle is .12-.18" versus .32" for Chinese).
Regulations.
Acupuncture needles are now regulated as medical devices, and carry labels that require they be used only by certified professionals.
See a doctor.
DO NOT RELY ON THE DIAGNOSIS OF DISEASE proposed by an acupuncturist unless they have substantial conventional medical training (MD or DO).
Sports injuries.
Consider acupuncture for treatment of pain following sports injuries.
Tax deductible.
Your acupuncture expenses are tax deductible as medical expenses. Or, pay these expenses with your flexible savings or healthcare savings account.
Treatment areas.
Many acupuncturists now believe that the acupuncture points are too small -- the effective treatment areas are actually much larger.
Use sterile needles.
Your acupuncturist should use sterile needles from a one-time use package.
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