Acupuncturists are healthcare professionals who use thin needles to stimulate specific points on the body in order to alleviate pain, treat illnesses, and improve overall health and wellness. The practice of acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and the belief that energy, known as Qi, flows through the body along pathways called meridians. Acupuncturists insert needles into specific points along these meridians in order to balance the flow of Qi and promote healing. They may also use other techniques such as heat therapy, cupping, and herbal medicine in addition to acupuncture.

To become a acupuncturist in Miami, the provider needs a master's degree in acupuncture from an accredited acupuncture school that is approved by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), they also need to have 1000-1500 clinical hours to get supervised hands-on training in the practice of acupuncture. Once they have all that, they'll then need to get national certification by passing the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) exam to earn a Diplomate in Acupuncture certification. Then, they need to get a license from Florida state acupuncture licensing board. Typically it takes about 6-7 years to become an acupuncturist.

A good acupuncturist should possess several key qualities and qualifications: they need to be fully licensed, have a degree from an accredited school and need to complete clinical work. They need to be experienced, since that significantly reduces the number of incidents and have strong communication skills so they can answer any questions a patient might have. They need to be familiar with the holistic approach, so they can take into account the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the patient. Most important of all they need to have a good safety record, and need to understand the risks and benefits of acupuncture and be able to use safe techniques. Professionalism is also an important part of being a good acupuncturist. Most important of all, they need to be committed to continuing education, and need to stay up to date with the latest research and advancements in the field.

Below you'll find doctors we consider to be the best acupuncturists in Miami.