Find the Best Acupuncturists in New York, NY!

An acupuncturist is a provider of acupuncture, an alternative health care treatment that complements other more traditional forms of medicine. Acupuncturists study and practice for years to become practitioners. They study the medical theory, biomedicine, diagnosis and treatments. They conduct clinical training while learning about ethic, counseling, communication and management. The course and training require almost 2000 hours.

Acupuncture is a complementary treatment that comes from traditional Chinese practices. The practitioner inserts tiny, thin needles into your skin at certain strategic points in the body and at varying depths for different results. Mainstream research to date suggests that it’s primarily useful for treating pain.

Western acupuncturists view the strategic points as the places they can stimulate muscles, nerves and connective tissue. Some say that the stimulation made by the needles boosts the body’s natural painkilling properties. Experienced acupuncturists report that it’s also helpful for a wide range of conditions and complaints, in addition to pain relief.

The goal of acupuncture is to balance your energy. Acupuncture is recognized by traditional medical doctors as a way to reduce stress. It’s been known to cure certain illnesses and boost your overall well-being. Some of the more common conditions that acupuncturists treat include:

• Headaches, including migraines and tension headaches
• Blood pressure issues
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Infertility
• Insomnia
• Tooth pain
• Labor pains
• Menstrual cramps
• Osteoarthritis
• Allergies
• Respiratory disorders

Just like seeing an ill-qualified medical doctor, you run the risk of side effects if you don’t see an acupuncturist with proven abilities, advanced qualifications and extensive experience. On Kaly, you can read about other people who have visited an acupuncturist and reported on their success or failure. The Kaly reviews help you verify an acupuncturist’s quality of care. Potential risks associated with acupuncture include:

• Bleeding, especially if you have a bleeding disorder you either didn’t know about or didn’t disclose to the acupuncturist
• Premature delivery if you’re pregnant
• Pacemaker disruptions because the mild electrical pulses created by the needles can interfere with the operation of your pacemaker

The needles used by an acupuncturist are thin, but you still feel them as a mild sensation. Some people don’t feel anything at all. When needles are inserted deeper, you may experience a mild aching in the area being treated.

Usually, you can search for a nearby acupuncturist, book an appointment and see the specialist within fewer than 24 hours. Many times, you may even find an acupuncturist who offers same-day appointments. It’s easy to book your appointment on Kaly because it shows the real-time availability of nearby acupuncturists who accept your insurance and provide the services that you’re seeking.

When you’re looking for an acupuncturist, the Kaly system allows you to filter your searches to show you just female practitioners. You set the filters for a wide range of specific requirements, including the practitioner’s gender, and see only those acupuncturists who meet your criteria.

On Kaly, you can select office hours as a search parameter to find acupuncturists who are available in the evenings and on weekends in your area.

Individual acupuncturists have different styles. They may blend aspects of Western and Eastern acupuncture approaches. Before beginning a treatment, your acupuncturist asks you a series of questions to determine which type of acupuncture treatment may benefit you most effectively. Plan to talk about:

• The symptoms that brought you to the acupuncturist
• Your lifestyle and behaviors
• Which parts of your body are most painful

An examination by an acupuncturist usually involves them studying:

• Your facial coloring
• Your tongue’s color, shape and coating
• Your pulse as felt in the wrist for indications of its quality, rhythm and strength

Your first appointment, during which you undergo an evaluation, usually takes about an hour. Each subsequent visit may last 30 minutes or longer. If you have a common problem, you may need one or two treatments a week. The number of treatments you need depends on the severity and type of your condition. Usually, acupuncture treatments provide effective results in six to eight weeks.

Your acupuncturist explains the planned treatment. There are acupuncture points all over your body, and sometimes the best points aren’t anywhere near the area where you feel pain. If necessary, you may need to remove clothing to uncover the points targeted for treatment. You receive a sheet or gown, if necessary and are guided to a padded table to lie down for the procedure.

Each acupuncture visit involves three parts:

1. Inserting the needles. A typical treatment may require anywhere from five to 20 needles inserted at the points described by your acupuncturist.
2. Manipulating the needles. Your acupuncturist often twirls or moves the needles gently after they’ve been inserted. They also may add electrical pulses or heat to the needles. You then relax and lie still for about 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Removing the needles. At the appropriate time, your acupuncturist removes the needles, which usually cause no discomfort at all.

Because of the rising acceptance of acupuncture, many medical and mental health professionals refer patients to an acupuncturist, as it complements their treatment. Common referrals come from:

• Physicians
• Nurse practitioners
• Physician assistants
• Orthopedic doctors
• Counselors
• Psychologists
• Osteopathic doctors
• Sports injury specialists
• Physical therapists

As of this writing, Medicare does not cover acupuncture, but many large private insurers now pay for acupuncture treatments. Rules for coverage vary between insurance policies. Some have strict governing rules that require acupuncture treatments be administered by a medical doctor. Others cover its use when replacing anesthesia. Many allow coverage for:

• Pain relief
• Migraine headaches
• Nausea, particularly following chemotherapy

Kaly gives you an option to check if an acupuncturist accepts your insurance. It even provides a way to ensure you reference the right plan with the Kaly Insurance Checker . It’s best, however, to verify your coverage and possible co-pays directly with your insurance carrier.

Use Kaly to choose the best acupuncturist for your needs. When setting the search parameters, consider:

• Patient reviews. This may be one of the most important factors when choosing your acupuncturist, since there aren’t many other reliable sources of online reviews for this type of alternative treatment.
• Office hours. The acupuncturist you choose should have appointment time slots that accommodate your schedule if you want to complete a round of treatments without interference from scheduling hiccups.
• Location. When the acupuncturist’s office is in a convenient location in New York, you have a better chance of keeping future appointments.
• Insurance. If you don’t want to pay out-of-pocket, ensure that your acupuncturist accepts your insurance.