Okay, so here’s where the rubber hits the road. How do you tell whether you’re seeing an expert rather than an also-ran?
Look for credentials. An acupuncturist or Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine will have their certificates prominently displayed wherever they practice:
1. Diploma for at least 3 years of education that says Acupuncture or Herbalist or Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine or Oriental Medicine, depending upon country and jurisdiction.
2. Certificate for a 4 year or more degree program for the same above.
3. Certificate for a Masters or Phd for the same above.
4. Certificate from a recognized government or governing association of acupuncturists, doctors, etc, that is dated and requires renewal every year.
In other words, they are licensed, regulated, registered.
And above all, the real proof is in the diagnosis. That’s what sets apart the fakers from the real thing.
Here’s a hint. If they merely accept the western diagnosis without going through a separate in depth analysis of your condition, they’re not true acupuncturists or TCMDs.
Why is this important? Because what meets the eye isn’t the reason why you have a problem. Take for instance, a diagnosis for Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS). ITBS symptoms range from a stinging sensation just above the knee joint (on the outside of the knee or along the entire length of the iliotibial band) to inflammation of the tissue at the point where the band moves over the thigh bone.
Here are a few things that MDs say what causes it:
1. Overuse.
2. Inadequate warm-up or cool-down
3. Excessive up-hill and down-hill running
4. Running up and down stairs
5. Hiking long distances
6. Abnormalities in foot or leg anatomy (one leg longer than other).
Most seem like very natural, normal things that people do. So, the question I ask behind each of these is, “Why?” Lots of active people do all of these things and they don’t suffer pain or injury. So, why is this happening to you?
When a bonafide acupuncturist or TCMD takes the time to run you through their Q & A, you will be struck by the questions they ask, that don’t seem to have anything to do with your knee. But they are relevant. At the end of it, you will receive a diagnosis which tells you WHY this has happened to you.
A diagnosis in Chinese medicine is not a mere description of the symptom. It tells you why this has happened to you. Think about it, many people are doing what you’re doing and their knees aren’t hurting like yours. So, again, WHY is that?
So the proof is in the diagnosis and in the credentials and the qualifications of the practitioner. You want an expert. You want an authority of the medicine to help you.
No more taking one year to get better.
Dr. Joanny Liu, TCMD, RAc, P.Eng. Dr Joanny Liu “Best Selling Author and founder of Extraordinary Sports Medicine, where we help athletes reverse injury, get back in the game they love and improve their quality of life.” Best selling book at: Heal Your Concussion: How to Quickly and Effectively Get Back in the Game Remember, we’ve got two books about healing concussions in Amazon: Knock OUT Concussions, Heal Your Concussion: 21 Days to Brain Health, and Dr. Joanny’s new book, Heal Your Concussion: How to Quickly and Effectively Get Back in the Game is NOW live on Amazon!
