Acupuncture

More people are becoming familiar with acupuncture. Although it used to be a treatment that was practiced only in Eastern Asia, it has become an available treatment in the United States for conditions such as: pain, nausea and vomiting, stomach problems, headaches, menstrual cramps, and more. This guide was created to help you learn more about acupuncture and what to expect if you decide to have an acupuncture treatment.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a complete medical system that is used to diagnose and treat illness, manage chronic disorders, alleviate pain and promote health through prevention and maintenance. It can be used for physical, emotional and psychological problems.

How does Acupuncture work? 

During an acupuncture treatment, fine needles (as fine as a piece of hair) are inserted into "acupuncture points," which are thought to stimulate the body's nervous system to release certain chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain which in turn release other chemicals and hormones in the body that may help to improve pain and other medical complaints.

Although the way that acupuncture works is not yet fully understood by scientists, recent medical studies have shown that acupuncture is safe, and, when combined with other treatments, can be helpful for some patients with certain conditions.

Two of the ways we try to understand what is in balance and what is not, is by looking at the color, shape, and coating on your tongue, and by checking your pulse in 6 different positions. This helps us decide what areas of your body need help and which acupuncture points might be stimulated.

What do needles look like?

Acupuncture needles are very small and thin. If you look at a piece of your hair, that's just about the thickness of a needle. Only the tip of the acupuncture needle is inserted into the skin.

Where are the needles inserted?

Acupuncture is different from Western Medicine since acupuncture points represent different places along the "energy channel." So, it is possible that we may decide to place needles in different areas of your body. It may seem odd to have needles placed in your legs if you are having belly pain.

Do the needles hurt?

Some people become worried when they hear the word, "needle". This is understandable but the needles that are used for acupuncture don't look anything like the needles that are used for vaccines or blood tests. Acupuncture needles are very, very thin and small.

Some people who receive acupuncture feel a little bit of pressure when the needle is inserted, some will feel mild pain and others will feel nothing at all. Once the needles are in the acupuncture points you should not feel any discomfort at all. Many patients even fall asleep during their treatments!

Am I at risk for getting an infection from the procedure?

No, the needles used by us are sterile. There is, however, a very low risk of bruising where the needles have been inserted, but the risk is much lower than if you were to have a regular type of injection.

What are the pros & cons of acupuncture treatments?

Pros of acupuncture are: (1) it may provide relief from your symptoms, (2) it usually causes no side effects, and (3) you may feel relaxed after an acupuncture treatment.

Cons of acupuncture are: (1) sometimes the symptoms may get worse for a few days before they start to get better. (2) you may feel sleepy after a treatment, (3) the treatment may cause temporary changes in your appetite, sleep, bowel or urination habits, and (4), as with any medical treatment, not everyone will have improvement in their symptoms after acupuncture.

How many treatments will I need to have?

This can vary. The reason you are having treatments, including whether your problem is acute or chronic, and whether you have more than one condition, will help determine how many treatments might help. Generally acute problems get better after only a couple of treatments, but chronic conditions may require 1-2 visits per week for many months. We will work with you to decide how many treatments you feel you need.

Will my insurance cover the acupuncture treatments?

Some insurance companies do cover acupuncture treatments while others do not. The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture is working with insurance companies to try to have acupuncture treatments covered by all insurance companies. For now it is best to check with your insurance company to find out if all or part of your acupuncture treatment will be covered.