What can Acupuncture treat?

Since the late 90’s the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized Acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment for numerous symptoms, diseases, and illnesses based on its success in controlled clinical trials.   Many people are surprised that the WHO Acupuncture list of treatable symptoms, diseases and illnesses includes more then pain.  

The WHO list of disease and illness includes disorders related to: digestion, hypertension, hypotension, headaches, stroke, gynecology, dysentery, adverse reaction to radiation/chemotherapy, pregnancy, chronic pain, neuropathy and more.  The WHO has further lists of disease that it has deemed Acupuncture effective in treating but more clinical trials are needed. 

Unrenowned to the public and even those within the healthcare world there are different types of Acupuncture and differences in the scope of practice of Acupuncture depending on the type.  The differences in the scope and types of Acupuncture are based on the quality and level of Acupuncture training.  

Practitioners trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture receive the gold standard or highest level of Acupuncture training, averaging between 3 – 5 YEARS of training.  Other therapists including Physiotherapists, Naturopaths, Dentists, and G.P’s on average receive 100 – 300 HOURS of Acupuncture training.  For more information on Acupuncture training standards click here.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncturists have the broadest scope of practice when it pertains to Acupuncture. They therefore offer the only form of Acupuncture able to effectively treat the diseases and illness on the WHO list.  

Like most Acupuncturists and Chinese Medicine Practitioners I get a chance to witness first-hand how Acupuncture effectively treats many of the diseases and illness on the WHO list and more.  In my clinical experience, one of the disorders I find Acupuncture most effective in treating is illness related to digestive issues. This is regardless of whether the digestive complaint stems from stress, poor diet, or chemotherapy, or if it is an issue that has been with the person for life. Acupuncture is often combined with Chinese botanical medicines and can achieve sound results. 

When shopping for a new Acupuncturist or looking to try Acupuncture for the first time I strongly recommend that you always seek out the most qualified Acupuncturist to become part of your healthcare team.  A simple way to do this is by looking for the gold standard of Acupuncture credentials: R.Ac, R.TCMP, or Dr. TCM.   These credentials represent the highest level of Acupuncture training education in the world.

R.Ac: “Registered Acupuncturist” - minimum 3 years Acupuncture training;

R.TCMP: “Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner” -minimum 4 years Acupuncture and Chinese botanical medical training;

Dr. TCM: “Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine” – minimum 5 years Acupuncture and Chinese botanical medical training.

For more information or to book an appointment please contact my office (250) 860 -2212 or visit our website www.klochiropractic.ca

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.