Acupuncture FAQs
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture has its roots in 3000 year old Traditional Chinese Medicine although other Asian countries have adopted the practice as well with their own variations. The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) publicized the safety and efficacy of acupuncture in 1997. The most commonly practiced form of acupuncture uses sterilized needles inserted into the skin at acupoints.
Does it hurt?
Acupuncture needles are incredibly fine, unlike injection needles, which are thicker and hollow. This is why acupuncture feels nothing like getting a shot or having blood drawn, and most patients do not find the treatment painful.
Who can perform acupuncture and is it safe?
Acupuncturists go through a rigorous training and schooling program before they must get licensed with the state in which they are practicing. This, combined with the fact that only the highest quality of sterile needles are used, means that acupuncture is perfectly safe.
What can I expect during my treatment?
The treatment lasts about 60 minutes. The acupuncturist will ask you a series of questions and do a full health history in order to understand your health concerns. The acupuncturist may examine your tongue, feel your pulses, and palpate various parts of your body. This helps the acupuncturist find patterns that help determine which organs and body systems are out of balance.
You may feel a slight sensation resembling a pinch or a mosquito bite when the needle is inserted. Once the needles are placed there may be a slight tingling, numbness or heaviness in the area while the point is being stimulated. You will be lying on a comfortable, padded table and often patients become very relaxed and fall into a light sleep during the session.
How often should I schedule?
Although some people will respond well to only one treatment, more are often necessary. The frequency of treatment and number of treatments needed will vary from patient to patient. Generally, the longer the patient has had the condition the longer the course of treatment will be before showing substantial and lasting results. Acupuncture treatment plans may recommend treatment several times per week or as infrequent as once per month. Traditional Chinese Medicine typically recommends treatments two to five times per week. Although some patients respond favorably after only one or two treatments, there is a cumulative effect to treatment that may not be felt until after nine or ten visits. As symptoms improve, fewer visits are required. Each individual case is unique, and your acupuncturist will work with you on your individualized treatment plan.