This article begins with a discussion of acupuncture as a valid medical treatment. It then goes on to emphasize the importance of seeking the services of a licensed acupuncturist.

The very first time a Westerner saw a Chinese physician probing the soft flesh of a patient with three to four inch needles, they not surprisingly believed that they were witnessing Eastern witchcraft in action, say professionals in acupuncture in La Jolla CA. That or some kinds of Eastern torture, although judging by the serene look on the patient’s face, perhaps not! They had no idea that acupuncture treatment was medical in nature and had been used for thousands of years; not only safely, but effectively too.

Acupuncture in La Jolla CA: A Scientifically Valid Form of Medical Treatment

Quite a bit has changed since we first came upon the concept of acupuncture treatment. Nowadays, it is recognized by the Western medical community as an effective treatment for hundreds of different maladies and symptoms. Instead of laughing at the idea of sticking needles into a patient in order to treat problems such as chronic muscle pain, doctors and scientists now have proof that it really works, say professionals in acupuncture in La Jolla CA.

This proof comes from the support of many scientific research studies. In fact, the World Health Organization – more specifically, their Department of Essential Drugs and Medicine Policy – have published a list of conditions, diseases and symptoms for which the recommended treatment is acupuncture in La Jolla CA. Some of these include rheumatoid arthritis, depression, headaches, sprains, muscular pain, sciatica and strokes (2003 WHO report.)

A more recent scientific study to present positive findings for the efficacy of acupuncture in La Jolla CA was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology’s March 2010 issue by researchers at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital’s Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. This research demonstrated that acupuncture treatment provided working relief for breast cancer patients suffering from stiffness and joint pain caused by hormonal therapy. In spite of the solid scientific support for acupuncture in La Jolla CA, however, this ancient Chinese method is yet to totally free itself from Western skepticism and criticism.

Acupuncture in La Jolla CA: The Importance of Seeking a Licensed Practitioner

What is the procedure to follow if you think you could benefit from acupuncture in La Jolla CA? First and foremost, speak to your medical doctor and ask if he or she can recommend any licensed professionals that have a solid reputation for medical acupuncture treatment. Unfortunately, not all doctors advocate the use of acupuncture treatment and would rather prescribe medications; medications that come with side-effects even. If this is the case with your medical doctor, then it might be worth-while seeking a second opinion. Remember, acupuncture in La Jolla CA is wholly endorsed by the World Health Organization!

There are many licensed professionals in acupuncture in La Jolla CA, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one. Your first important task is to ask for proof of licensure, which requires an acupuncturist to rack up 3,000 credit hours of training. Employing the services of a licensed practitioner will ensure that the treatment you receive is very safe, sterile and effective. Many doctors and chiropractors sign up for 300 credit hour courses so that they too can offer patients acupuncture treatment. However, it is believed by professionals in acupuncture in La Jolla CA that in order for the risk of infection to truly be minimized, practitioners need as much experience as possible. And this is provided through licensing.

A Final Note on Acupuncture in La Jolla CA

Remember that every form of medicine, whether it is Western or Eastern in origin must be performed or administered by a specialist who has the necessary training and experience to offer maximum results and minimum risk. You wouldn’t trust a non-licensed doctor to manage your health and likewise, you should not trust an unlicensed acupuncturist.