Are you new to the world of holistic health? You might have questions. We’ve covered some of the most commonly asked questions below.
What do the different acronyms on your site mean? (e.g. What is L.Ac.?)
Here are some of the most common acronyms you will find on the site and what they mean. If you have questions about the meaning of any abbreviations listed on a practitioner’s profile, please reach out to the practitioner directly for clarification.
CNS: Certified Nutrition Specialist
DAOM: Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
DOM: Doctor of Oriental Medicine
L.Ac.: Licensed Acupuncturist
LMBT: Licensed Massage + Bodywork Therapist
MD: Doctor of Medicine
NCCAOM: National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
RD: Registered Dietician
RDN: Registered Dietician Nutritionist
How can I find the right practitioner for me?
Finding the right practitioner can be a challenge sometimes, but not always. We recommend being patient with the process and allowing yourself space to explore your options. You may end up meeting with a few practitioners before settling on a person that feels like the best fit. Choosing a practitioner is a very personal decision, so there is not a simple formula that we can recommend. However, we do think the following questions are helpful to consider:
Trust – Do you feel you can trust the practitioner?
Expertise – Does the practitioner have experience and training in working with the issues that you would like to address?
Schedule – Does the practitioner have availability in their schedule at times when you are free to attend sessions?
Location – Is the practitioner’s office accessible to you? Would you regularly be able to attend sessions at that location?
Fee – Can you afford the practitioner’s fee per session?
To learn more about a practitioner’s approach or professional training, you can contact them directly to request this information.
How do I figure out what kind of healing arts would be helpful?
If you’re not sure what kind of healing arts would be helpful for you, we recommend reading the following article:
How to Choose a Holistic Practitioner – Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine
What are the differences between all of these disciplines?
For more information on each of the disciplines, please visit our “Disciplines” tab in our top navigation menu.
What does “holistic health” mean?
A state of optimal well being in which all aspects of a person – body, mind, spirit, and emotions – are considered and balanced.
What does “healing arts” mean?
Healing arts is an umbrella term for any type of treatment, practice, or method that uses the body’s natural ability to restore or maintain a healthy, holistic balance throughout the physical body. We also refer to Open Path Healing Arts Collective as “Healing Arts” throughout the website.
