Infertility Acupuncture in Minnesota

Since Minneapolis WCCO news channel 4 (CBS) did their recent story on acupuncture and fertility, I have had a lot of questions from people asking me how to find a Licensed Acupuncturist for Infertility in Minnesota.

My first answer is, if you are anywhere near my office (about 45 minutes from the western Minneapolis Metro area), then come on up to see me!

If that doesn’t work, then I recommend you consult the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice’s website to find someone near you.

The benefit of using the MN Board of Medical Practice site is, you will only find Licensed Acupuncturist listed. Keep in mind “L.Ac.” or Licensed Acupuncturists hold the highest level of training recognized in the state of Minnesota.

Medical Doctors (MD’s) and Chiropractors (DC’s) can perform acupuncture with little or no training. In the case of MD’s, the do not have to have any training in acupuncture, in order to use this therapy on their patients. DC’s have to have approximately 50 hours of training to become “certified” in acupuncture — which is unfortunate, in my opinion.

If I had a magic wand, I’d only allow L.Ac’s  (and the newly designated Doctor of Oriental Medicine –DOM) to do acupuncture. Other professionals, whether Medical Doctors or Chiropractors could only do acupuncture if they attended a full time program in Traditional Chinese Medicine, just like the rest of the L.Ac’s have to do.

As a person trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, a program that required nearly four years of full-time, graduate-level study, I think it is a disservice to the profession of acupuncture and the patients it serves, to allow non-L.Ac’s to do acupuncture. After all, I am not allowed to take a 50 hour course and become a “certified chiropractor”, nor am I allowed to become a “certified medical doctor” without any training.

Do yourself a favor and find a L.Ac. when it comes to addressing fertility, and even then, find someone who specializes in fertility if possible. If that is not possible, a good L.Ac. with some experience in women’s health will be able to do a great deal to help you boost your fertility.

Seeing an MD or DC for acupuncture (for fertility or any other issues) is a waste of your time, in my opinion.