A federal survey of more than 31,000 Americans found that 36% use some form of alternative or complementary medicine. But finding a capable practitioner is tricky.

Chiropractors, naturopathic doctors (NDs), acupuncturists and massage therapists are required to complete formal training and may be subject to state oversight. But many specialties in alternative or complementary medicine, such as herbal medicine and aromatherapy, have minimal — and in some cases, no — training requirements. How to find a qualified practitioner…

  • Start with an ND. Naturopathy is a medical system that utilizes herbs, homeopathy, physical manipulation and many other modalities. Practitioners believe that the body has an innate ability to heal… that prevention should be emphasized… and that natural treatments usually are preferable to drugs and/or invasive procedures.

    NDs attend a four-year, graduate-level program. There are five schools in the US that offer this type of program.* The programs include many of the same courses taught in conventional medical schools, with an added emphasis on nutrition, preventive care and natural treatments.

    In most states, you can use an ND as your primary care physician. He/she can order blood and imaging tests, take a medical history and perform clinical exams. Some states allow naturopathic physicians to prescribe drugs and perform minor surgery. Many insurance plans cover a naturopathic doctor’s services — check with your provider.

    Important: A naturopath is not the same as a naturopathic doctor. In many states, NDs have to complete standardized board exams to earn a license to practice. Naturopaths (sometimes called “traditional naturopaths”) aren’t licensed. Their education may consist of correspondence courses or an apprenticeship — or they may be self-taught.

  • Stick with older approaches. Therapies that have been practiced for a long time are more likely to be effective than newer, trendy therapies. Traditional Chinese Medicine, for example, has been utilized for thousands of years.

    Also, chiropractic, founded in 1895, has been thoroughly researched and is used by many medical specialists, including physical therapists and orthopedic physicians.

    Some older approaches fall into a gray zone. For example, I can’t say for sure that homeopathy works, but I’m not sure that it doesn’t work.

  • Seek out evidence. An alternative practitioner should be able to defend his specialty. Does the specialty have a peer-reviewed journal? Has the technique been tested in placebo-controlled, double-blind trials (where neither the study subjects nor the researchers know which participants are receiving placebos)?

    A lack of scientific studies does not necessarily mean that a particular therapy doesn’t work. Research is enormously expensive. The cost of developing a new drug, for example, can easily exceed $1 billion. Large organizations, including academic centers and pharmaceutical companies, can afford the investment. Alternative practitioners often cannot. But a practitioner should be able to recommend a place you can look for more information — an on-line journal, papers by other practitioners in the field, etc.

  • Ask about training. Ask practitioners where (and how long) they trained, how many years they have been in practice and whether they can provide the names of other patients and/or medical professionals who can recommend them.

    Try to find a practitioner who specializes in your health issue(s). A naturopathic physician might specialize in endocrinology or gastrointestinal disorders. An herbalist might have extensive experience with women’s health issues.

  • Look for a practitioner who gives referrals. A competent practitioner is willing to refer patients to other practitioners, including mainstream MDs and specialists. I routinely refer patients to chiropractors, neurologists, gastroenterologists, etc. Avoid any holistic/alternative practitioner who refuses to communicate with — or refer patients to — conventional doctors.

    Also, look for a practitioner who recognizes the value of laboratory and imaging tests. Every practitioner should know when to refer patients for testing and understand how to interpret and utilize test results.

To find a practitioner: The following organizations can help you locate an alternative practitioner in your area…

*National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, Oregon… Bastyr University, Kenmore, Washington… Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Tempe, Arizona… University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, Connecticut.