On pins and needles: finding an educated, experienced acupuncturist requires a little bit of poking around.(HOLISTIC HOOKUP)

When it comes to treating everything from chronic pain and gastrointestinal complaints to weight loss and erectile dysfunction, acupuncture may have piqued your interest--but the thought of being poked by needles may have also quickly deflated it. However, if, say, your irritable bowel isn't getting any more agreeable and you've talked to a few people who've had acupuncture, you might decide to give this Chinese healing treatment a try. Acupuncture, like any medical procedure involving needles, has risks, ranging from soreness at the insertion point to transmission of diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.

The best way to make sure you have a safe and effective treatment is to choose your acupuncturist wisely.

While 42 states have established acupuncture certification standards, the states' licensing requirements vary. Enter the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). "NCCAOM certification and/or passing the NCCAOM exams are required in 39 of the states that have regulations," says Betsy Smith, Director of State Relations at NCCAOM.

As a result, Smith recommends starting your search by consulting the group's website (see box on next page) for a qualified practitioner. The acupuncturists listed there have met the organization's requirements: They have graduated from a three-year master's program at a school approved by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) or completed a 4,000-hour apprenticeship. "In addition," Smith says, "they have to pass a series of exams, complete a separate dean-needle technique course and agree to abide by our code of ethics."

Once you have found an NCCAOM-certified practitioner in your area, you can also check the website to see if he or she is licensed by your state: The NCCAOM site provides links to each state's licensing boards. Licenses should be current and clear, meaning no disciplinary action has been taken against him or her.

If, despite all the rigors of education and experience required for certification, you prefer to have a medical doctor perform acupuncture (or your state only allows MDs to perform acupuncture), check the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA) website.

People who want to combine acupuncture with more ...