The following excerpt is from the Healing Arts Handbook. Read more about purchasing it at the Store.

If you are wanting to change or extend the style of health care you’re receiving, you may be asking, How do I go about finding a reliable alternative health professional? Practitioners can be found in many different ways, each one having advantages and possible disadvantages that need to be addressed.

Hearing about a good practitioner from friends and acquaintances is probably the most common and the most credible method. However, do not forget to take into account your own preferences. If you are uncomfortable with the thought of needles, your friend’s acupuncturist may not be the person to see -- unless your condition is motivating you to learn more about the procedure and equipment. For example, acupuncture needles are not like injection needles. They are hairline fine and are not reused, if sterility is one of your concerns. In addition, most sessions are, contrary to nervous expectation, very relaxing. In the same vein, if you hate taking pills, you won’t get much benefit from a naturopath who relies on giving you supplements to help you get well.

Looking in the Yellow Pages, in local directories or magazines about alternative practitioners, and asking in health food stores will usually give you a few names, but unless you can speak with the person or some of their patients you won’t know enough about them. It is entirely appropriate to ask questions. Suggestions and a check list follow.

If you look in your local library or book store for books written about the condition you have or the therapy you’re interested in trying, you may find the author lives and practices nearby. In any case, such books usually have a list of resources in the back listing other experts’ names, their books, organizations, and contact information.

After learning of a particular organization, you can contact them by phone, internet, or mail; and ask them for the names of practitioners located near you. In whatever way you locate someone, you will still need to ask questions.

The previous excerpt is from the Healing Arts Handbook. Read more about purchasing it at the Store.

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