Expat Health Insurance Cover - Acupuncture
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To those first introduced to the concept, becoming a human pincushion may not seem like a health remedy. However, the popularity of acupuncture is growing at a constant rate across the world, leading even providers of expat health insurance cover to pay for the treatment.
Basic overview
For over 2,500 years Chinese people have been effectively using acupuncture as part of their traditional medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to health as "qi", which is a constantly changing flow of energy. Whenever "qi" gets blocked or constrained, some form of disease develops. To cure the disease, or to relieve the pain, the TCM specialist must strengthen the flow of "qi" or remove the blockage.
This is where the process of acupuncture actually begins. The acupuncturist uses tiny flexible needles (about three times the thickness of human hair) that he/she inserts under the skin at specific points (those are called acupoints). This procedure causes a patient minor discomfort, since the acupuncturist will sometime twist the needles or send a weak electric shock through them to encourage the flow of "qi", however it rarely causes pain.
What to expect
A good acupuncturist will carefully look over your entire medical history, feel your pulse, examine your tongue as well as breath and body smell. After the examination, your treatment may begin. Unlike Neo's acupuncture treatment in the famed Matrix, you'll almost never be under any danger of resembling a porcupine. Acupuncturist usually uses anywhere from one to fifteen needles, depending on your symptoms. The treatment lasts up to one hour and is known to have a relaxing effect after which most people find an incredible urge to fall asleep.
Things to watch out for
When you are receiving a treatment make sure that your acupuncturist is using disposable needles. Treat acupuncture needles as regular needles that if not properly sterilized can transfer serious diseases.
Pregnant women are advised against acupuncture as it has been known to induce premature labor as well as miscarriage. Make sure to first consult your treating physician before receiving the treatment.
Exercise caution when choosing your acupuncturist. As it is a fairly new practice in Western medicine, unfortunately there are quite a few acupuncturists who are in fact not qualified to perform such treatment. It is best to be referred to an acupuncturist by your treating physician.
Overall
Although acupuncture is used to cure many illnesses in Asia , in Western countries it is used primarily as a chronic pain relief technique. But as the research continues and western medicine is finding more use for acupuncture procedure, the people's attitudes towards this treatment are continuously changing and the reputation of ancient Chinese healing method is become increasingly more credible. Even insurance companies are following the growing trend by offering expat health insurance cover for "alternative medicine", which includes acupuncture treatments as long as it was referred by patient's treating physician.
We have a large number of experienced insurance consultants that would be pleased to answer any of your questions or provide you with quotes for expat health insurance cover. Feel free to contact us and one of our consultants can assist you with information and free quotes on expat health insurance cover.
