Many of you are probably familiar with Dr. Andrew Weil, who is a champion of integrative medicine and a best-selling author and speaker. His quote above concerning medical doctors and TCM training highlights the importance of a well-rounded approach to healing. Acupuncture has been proven to be an effective treatment for a variety of conditions. Combining Eastern and Western medicine is the best route for some individuals. However, relying on a medical doctor without the appropriate training to perform acupuncture is potentially dangerous and an almost surefire way to miss out on the benefits.

To experience the healing associated with both forms of medicine, it’s essential to see a licensed acupuncturist in addition to your regular physician, or find a physician who is fully qualified to offer acupuncture. Acupuncture and Western medicine each have a different set of diagnostic criteria. You wouldn’t expect an acupuncturist to prescribe antibiotics. In the same vein, you can’t expect an M.D., without an education in traditional Chinese medicine, to effectively treat illness with acupuncture. The thousands of hours of training necessary to obtain a license in acupuncture are essential for understanding the ancient practice.

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