When you’re searching for TCM clinics for the right practitioner, keep in mind that not all practitioners are the same. Experience, education and even general methods and ways of practicing can affect how comfortable you feel during your sessions and how effective the treatment turns out to be.

Here are some tips to ensure that you receive the best care possible:

  • Look for a practitioner who has formal training, national certification, and an active license to practice.
  • If you’re considering herbal remedies, seek guidance from someone who is certified in this field. You’ll also want to ensure that any herbs you’re prescribed are compatible with current treatments or other medications you might be taking.
  • Be sure to inform your primary care provider of all of your alternative health care and health management practices. This will help ensure that you receive safe, coordinated, and optimal care for achieving your health goals.
  • If you’re pregnant, nursing, or considering TCM to treat a child, consult your primary health care provider before beginning any treatment.

The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) website has a national directory of all acupuncturists and TCM practitioners that hold NCCAOM certification. Since NCCAOM certification is a prerequisite for licensure in most states, this is a reliable and reputable source of information about practitioners who have met established standards of competency.

The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) offers a search for certified TCM practitioners by zip code. Below is the link to the NCCAOM official website to find a practitioner in your area, along with a listing of all NCCAOM certified Diplomates, designed to be used by state licensing agencies, insurance companies and the general public to verify that an individual is certified by the NCCAOM.

NCCAOM Practitioner Database: Find And Verify A Certified Practitioner