How do I know if my acupuncture physician (A.P.) is qualified?

A: In order to practice acupuncture in the state of Florida, an A.P. Must be licensed by the Florida Department of Health and board certified by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). Formal training at an accredited acupuncture school is completed in 3 1/2 to 4 years, in addition to at least 60 credit hours of undergraduate school beforehand. After graduation or during the last year of acupuncture training, the student can complete their training at affiliate hospitals in China.

When choosing an A.P., you may first want to inquire as to their specialty before embarking on your acupuncture journey. Generally, an A.P. specializing in infertility is to be sought out, and many websites are devoted now to listing qualified practitioners by region.

In my experience, I have found that both Western and Chinese medicine have strong, effective solutions to infertility and both systems of medicine have much to offer one another. As information grows about the benefits of Oriental medicine, it is important that patients develop a “team” of knowledgeable practitioners that understands the strengths and weaknesses of both systems and can help them along the highly anticipated road to fertility.