# How do I find an acupuncturist? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 29, 2005, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-an-acupuncturist/337550 "2005-12-29T05:38:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-an-acupuncturist/337550/1 "2005-12-29T05:38:31Z")
I am looking for a _good_ acupuncturist in my area, for two reasons - to help me with migraines, and my MIL with her sciatica. What should I be looking for? Cleanliness I figure, but is there a reputable school I am unaware of? Somehow, are you a good poker doesn’t seem sufficient. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-an-acupuncturist/337550/2 "2005-12-29T06:30:28Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > Somehow, are you a good poker doesn’t seem sufficient. _sshh! my wife may hear you!_ Seriously folks, this is _not_ a debate thread about accupuncture. If you cannot answer the question asked, go elsewhere. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-an-acupuncturist/337550/3 "2005-12-29T10:47:26Z")
**Poysyn** , I wish you well, and good luck, honest. The best advice I have for you is in the third paragraph here: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6942509&postcount=1](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6942509&postcount=1) ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-an-acupuncturist/337550/4 "2005-12-29T13:06:08Z")
Kinda like looking for a needle in a haystack isn’t it? Now that my joke is out of the way, ask your insurance carrier, they usually have a list of accepted providers in your area. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-an-acupuncturist/337550/5 "2005-12-29T15:03:46Z")
Allow me to clarify that my MIL has tried almost every conventional (Western) means of treating her chronic pain and would like to investigate some “non-conventional” pain treatment. In short, she has had it with the scans and the pills that don’t work and the massages that work for a short time. I have know a few people that had found success through acupuncture (unfortunately I am not in touch with any of them anymore) and thought it may help. At this point with her pain the way it is, I don’t think it can really hurt. ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-an-acupuncturist/337550/6 "2005-12-29T15:28:13Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > Allow me to clarify that my MIL has tried almost every conventional (Western) means of treating her chronic pain and would like to investigate some “non-conventional” pain treatment. In short, she has had it with the scans and the pills that don’t work and the massages that work for a short time. > > I have know a few people that had found success through acupuncture (unfortunately I am not in touch with any of them anymore) and thought it may help. > > At this point with her pain the way it is, I don’t think it can really hurt. Fine. I have no quarrel with that. My advice stands: if you can find an acupuncturist who is also an MD, it may save time later. Good luck, best wishes, I wish you both peace and a surcease from pain. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2005, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-an-acupuncturist/337550/7 "2005-12-30T00:18:08Z")
**Poysyn** Here is the website of [The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture](http://medicalacupuncture.org/) , an organization for physicians integrating acupuncture into their practice. That seems like a good place to start. Also, a local physical therapist or pain management specialist might be able to advise on reputable acupuncturists, as well as the ones to steer clear of.