Finding a Complementary or Alternative Medicine Practitioner

The Whole Pregnancy Handbook
by Joel M. Evans, M.D.

(Page 3 of 4)

Just as when you're looking for a new doctor or nurse-practitioner, when you set outto find an alternative practitioner you want to find someone who's not only well qualified, but who's also a good match for your personality and needs. Finding an experienced practitioner whose approach you agree with and personality you click with may not be easy, but it's worth the effort. It can make a world of difference in your treatment, its result, and your emotional experience along the way.

Quality matters

Complementary and alternative health care providers most often go through extensive training in their individual fields. But because alternative medicine is relatively new in this country, national and state standards for licensing and accreditation have yet to be uniformly established. Unfortunately, that means 'buyer beware'; it may be worth your while to do a little research to find out not only what qualifications a practitioner has, but also what qualifications she should have to be considered in good standing professionally. The Web can be a great resource; a quick online search of sites devoted to specific treatments should tell you what the accreditation/licensing standards are. When checking credentials, bear in mind:

• Licensing is administered by state governments, and requirements change from state to state. Keep in mind that standards can vary according to prior professional training. For example, with acupuncture, medical doctors may have fewer requirements for licensure than nonmedical professionals.

• Accreditation and certification are generally administered by voluntary, nonprofit organizations or trade associations.

Once you have some names, feel free to ask questions: If there's a state licensing board where you live, you can check with it to make sure that a practitioner is registered. If there isn't a state board, you can check with the specialty's major professional organizations to learn more about accreditation and find out if the practitioner is in good standing. Finally, don't be shy about asking a practitioner if he's accredited or licensed, and what that means in terms of his training.

Finding a qualified practitioner isn't always easy, but it's important to learn how caregivers are licensed so you can choose from a well-qualified group of practitioners.

Figure out your needs

No matter what kind of practitioner you're looking for massage therapist, chiropractor, herbalist, acupuncturist when you set out to find a complementary or alternative practitioner, first take some time to figure out what's important to you.

• Office setting: Some people work out of their homes; some will come to your house; still others work out of professional spaces. If you have a strong preference for one environment over another, pay attention to it and look for someone who works in a space where you'll be comfortable.

• Travel time: If you're lucky, you'll only get the names of people who work near your home or office. But your friend may know a great acupuncturist or massage therapist who lives forty-five minutes away. Decide in advance how important a convenient location is to you. Keep in mind that complementary and alternative therapies often involve regular sessions, so you may be making this trip as often as once a week.

• Cost: How often you see a practitioner may depend not only on travel time, but also on price. Since a new baby means new costs, set a reasonable budget for what you need. When you talk with a practitioner, ask if her fee structure changes based on the frequency of your visits. If she's out of your price range, see if she can recommend someone whose fees are more affordable. Also, check with your insurance company to see if the treatment is covered. Many insurance companies now cover a range of complementary and alternative treatment options, but they often require a referral from your primary care physician.

• Expertise: Most important, since you're either pregnant or trying to be, look for someone who specializes in women's health and pregnancy care. If you're already pregnant, check with your doctor or midwife before you try a new treatment.

Collect names

Once you have a general sense of what kind of practitioner you're looking for, begin to assemble a list of names.

REAL VOICES

I'd moved to a new city, and I wanted to find a craniosacral therapist because I'd recently miscarried and I thought it would help me feel more centered and energetic. I called one woman whose name I found online. She seemed to have a lot of experience, but when we talked, I felt like I had to keep repeating myself for her to get what I was saying. I thought, this can't be right. I never went to her, but after asking around I did find a great massage therapist who really helped me.

Rebecca, pregnant

1. Ask your doctor, midwife, or nurse-practitioner. As complementary and alternative treatments become more popular, more medical professionals are developing a network of practitioners they work with regularly.

2. Ask friends, coworkers, and family members for recommendations.

3. Check with your health insurance company, which may have a list of recommended or in-network practitioners.

4. Look for ads for practitioners in alternative newspapers, magazines, and health food stores.

5. Search online: Even though these listings may be incomplete or out-of-date, an online search can be a good way to get started.

6. Get a list of licensed practitioners in your state for example, licensed massage therapists.

7. Get a list of practitioners in your area who are accredited by the national organization for that discipline for example, herbalists who are members of the American Herbalists Guild.

Set up a consultation

Once you have a couple of names, start calling. See if you can set up a pre-treatment interview and, if you have time, a tour of the workspace. If a practitioner isn't willing to have a consultation or let you tour his workspace, look for someone else. Ask about special consultation fees the visit may be free or a practitioner may have a lower consultation-only fee. Let the practitioner know whether you're pregnant or trying to conceive and what you're specifically interested in working on. You may find the perfect match right away, or it may take talking to several practitioners. Odds are, when you find someone you can work with, you will know.

Before the interview, take a few breaths to help focus. Throughout your talk, pay attention to how you are feeling. Does the practitioner inspire confidence? Do you like her voice? Does he understand what you're there for? Do her explanations make sense to you? If you're touring the workspace, take a few minutes in the parking lot before you go in to check in with how you feel. When you walk in, notice your sensations. Does the space feel comfortable to you? Do you like the smell? All these signals contribute to your gut feeling about the practitioner, and if something feels off, look for someone else.

Copyright © 2005 Joel Evans, M.D.

About the Author

Dr. Joel M. Evans is a practicing integrative OB/GYN and Founder and Director of the Center for Women's Health in Darien, Connecticut. He is an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and a faculty member at the acclaimed Center for Mind/Body Medicine in Washington, D.C. A leader in the holistic medicine movement who lectures extensively on the subject, Dr. Evans is also a founding diplomate of the American Board of Holistic Medicine.