Oriental Medicine is a very old and effective form of medicine. It is not a panacea for all problems. The following is a list of guidelines for those considering acupuncture.

1. It is not necessary to see a medical doctor before seeing an acupuncturist. However, there are some medical problems where a medical doctor should be consulted first. These include traumatic injuries, infectious diseases, heart problems, life threatening physical or mental problems.
2. Many insurance companies will not pay for acupuncture. It is important to check with your insurance company if insurance reimbursement is important. Some insurance companies will pay for acupuncture if a medical doctor writes a prescription for it. Some companies will only pay for acupuncture if it is performed by a medical doctor. Asking your insurance company if they pay for acupuncture is not enough. You need to ask specifically about what is covered, how many treatments per year, and by who.
3. Currently Medicare does not pay for acupuncture.
4. Texas Workman's Comp will pay for acupuncture if the primary physician writes a prescription for it. The prescription must be given to the acupuncturist prior to the treatments so that the acupuncturist can get an approval from the insurance company. This process usually takes a few days.
5. Insurance companies will not pay for herbal formulas.
6. Choose an acupuncturist similar to the way you would choose a physician or dentist.