What defines an acupuncturist?
According to international standard, an acupuncturist (therapists who perform acupuncture) have multi-year education.
Basics of Traditional Chinese acupuncture must have studied and practiced for many years and in the western world also for acupuncture tailored medical school preparatory program have been implemented. Always check with the person doing acupuncture how much training he has, and if the patient's insurance.

How long is the training?
The training is usually three years, up to five years.
Further Training also takes place in Sweden annually by Swedish Acupuncture Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Minimum requirements for acupuncturists connected to the Swedish Association of Acupuncture Traditional Chinese Medicine is the study for three years under the union's approval.

What can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture general behavior and provide homeostasis / equilibrium of the body's functions.
It is considered as one of the pillars of traditional Chinese acupuncture to support the already existing good health such as, for example, affect the blood pressure to remain at a normal level. Disease management is also a part of acupuncture and applies to both physical as well as mental illness. Treatment areas are very diverse and of a wide variety of conditions because acupuncture affects the whole body. Some areas are pain, allergies, inflammation, hormonal imbalances with several diseases and conditions.

How many treatments are required with acupuncture?
Each person is treated on the basis of their condition, symptoms / body characters. Treatment setup is dependent on many things such as the size of the problem, how it occurred, how long it has existed and the person's other health and lifestyle. Very simplified described needed 5 treatments for mild injuries, 10 to 15 or more in severe diseases. For chronic diseases, occasional support treatments are given monthly or quarterly basis after completion of treatment measure.

Is the patient insured under treatment?
Answer yes. Patient Insurance is available on all acupuncturists who are members of the Swedish Association of Acupuncture Traditional Chinese Medicine.

How does the acupuncturist's diagnosis / health evaluation?
What the candidate says is of great value to the acupuncturist. Acupuncturist questions also about health in general, lifestyle and body in general to create a holistic picture to start with the treatment. A body assessment by Chinese medical pulse sampling and inspection of the tongue is also done.

What is meant by acupuncturists see the big picture about the patient?
A good diagnosis / body assessment and an effective acupuncture treatment requires that the applicant is both physically and spiritually. Therefore, a person's emotional status also important in the treatment of diseases. Clinician and the candidates are trying together to find out the root of the disease and try to change the situation of both the local environment, food intake and several other avoidable things.

Follows Swedish Acupuncture Acupuncturists Association National Board of health conditions?
Answer yes. The union has also democratically and unanimously enacted the union's members must only use disposable needles.

What are the risks of acupuncture treatment?
Because acupuncture stimulates the body's own defenses and homeostasis (equilibrium), the damage is negligible or very small if acupuncture is performed by multi-year trained acupuncturists. Sometimes the treatment experience shorter surge of symptoms such as increased sweating after treatment. However, this is transient and should not be seen as a dangerous side effect to the body.

How many cases of damage are of acupuncture performed by members?
Of Swedish acupuncture union members are no reported injuries. Hundreds of thousands of treatments have been carried out by members of the association which shows a percentage very safe treatment as it is performed by multi-year trained acupuncturists.

Can my doctor to write a referral to an acupuncturist and county pay?
We in Swedish Acupuncture Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine get referrals from doctors to treat patients with acupuncture. These referrals can usually not be used in counties where they are set to the union acupuncturists where no compensation is paid by the county for treatment. If a patient is being helped by traditional acupuncture, patients may try to get treatment paid by the county council by showing
treatment helping effect.

Our union, politicians and individuals committed to the individual patient should be entitled to tax money for treatment with traditional acupuncture. Time will tell whether any change comes about as this is a political issue. Many companies pay or subsidize their employees and there are tax credits for rehabilitation.

Which case sends acupuncturists on to the doctor?
Acupuncturist forwards all patients suspected of having a serious disease in which the physician assessment is necessary or where other treatment would be more effective. Most acupuncturists work closely with physicians and other health care professionals, but private operators. There is no contradiction in using the treatment that is best for the patient, whether it be acupuncture or Western medicine: the treatment benefits the patient should best be used.