Does acupuncture treatment hurt?
Acupuncture should not really hurt - some compare the intensity of sensation to what is felt when pulling out a single hair. Any pain that is felt is typically only momentary. You may feel other unusual sensations such as pressure, heaviness, tingling or warmth - these sensations are to be expected. People are often surprised by how relaxed they feel once the needles are in and the healing has begun. It isn't uncommon for people to actually sleep throughout their treatment!
In any case, the slight pain you might experience is usually far less unpleasant than the problem that made you consider acupuncture.
Why would I want to have an acupuncture treatment?
Here are a few responses to a question that may have hundreds of
answers...
to help you recover from long Covid
to help you feel more energized
to help you recover from illness or injury
to help alleviate physical pain
to help you with peripheral neuropathy from chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis, or diabetes
to help you stop overthinking (especially around bedtime)
to help with digestive issues, including Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Gastro and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
to use alongside many conventional therapies/medications for the purpose of augmenting their effect and lowering doses
to add legitimate choices for your health care assistance
Acupuncture is part of a whole and logical medical system, so there is almost always an approach for an acupuncturist to take in helping to manage a health problem (or even better, help you to remain pain and illness free).
In 1979, the World Health Organization published a short list of conditions seen as appropriate for treatment with acupuncture. This is not a complete list of conditions appropriate for treatment, but just some examples.
Abdominal pain
Addiction control
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic performance
Back/neck pain
Blood pressure regulation
Bronchitis
Chronic fatigue
Common cold
Constipation
Depression
Diarrhea
Gingivitis
Headaches
Hyperacidity
IBS
Immune system tonification
Indigestion
Infertility
Insomnia
Menopausal symptoms
Migraines
Muscle cramping/pain
Nervousness
Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
Neurosis
Numbness
Parkinson's disease
Poor vision
Postoperative pain
Premenstrual syndrome
Sciatica
Sinusitis
Stress reduction
Stroke
Tinnitus
Tonsillitis
Toothache
PLEASE NOTE:
I do not diagnose medical conditions or provide primary care! Acupuncture is a wonderful complement to Western medicine, but it is not a substitute for it. If you think you have a problem that is not “garden variety” (meaning you are worried that you might have a serious infection, a malignant growth, or an injury that won’t heal) or if you want someone more knowledgeable to go over the details of your medical history with you, you need to see a primary care provider (MD, DO, ND, APRN). You must not expect us to diagnose and treat conditions that are or may become life altering or life threatening. We can often provide supplementary care for conditions that require a physician’s attention but we need you to take responsibility for your own health.
How often do I need acupuncture treatments?
While the results of acupuncture treatment can seem miraculous, there are no magic bullets. It is very rare for any acupuncturist to be able to resolve a problem with just one treatment. Most of the problems people seek treatment for have developed over an extended time period of several months or many years, so expecting immediate, lasting results is simply unrealistic.
In China a typical treatment plan for a chronic condition could be acupuncture every other day for three months! Most patients don’t need that many treatments, but virtually every patient requires a course of treatment because acupuncture's effects are the result of therapeutic conditioning. Acupuncture’s outcome can be compared to that of physical therapy or exercise in the sense that one of the most important factors that will allow you to achieve the best possible results is regularity.
A course of treatment will be suggested based on the severity and length of time you’ve had your particular condition but it is essential for us to determine, together, a course of treatment that you can commit to in order for you to get better. As you progress with your treatments, the suggested frequency of your visits will change - once your issues start to clear you can come less often or just for wellness.
If you don’t come in often enough or long enough, acupuncture probably won’t work well for you. If you have questions about how long it will take to see results, please ask. If you think you need to adjust your treatment plan, please let us know. We need you to commit to the process of treatment in order to get good results. Remember, it is very rare for any acupuncturist to be able to resolve a problem with one treatment.
People often look forward to their treatments and continue treatment even after their main issue has resolved in order to keep their body balanced while dealing with the stresses of everyday life.
What happens during my first visit?
You'll need to fill out several forms, so please allow ample time before your consultation. You may print and complete my forms before your initial visit to save some time.
After paperwork is completed, we will discuss in confidentiality your health concerns. We will discuss lifestyle and diet, considering ways they may affect your wellness. We will have candid discussion of other factors (such as relationships and life experiences) that may contribute to your complaint. Mind, body and spirit are all concerns in your treatment.
You will remain fully dressed, but please wear loose, comfortable clothing. You'll just have to roll your sleeves and pant legs up in order to get ready for your treatment. We can very effectively treat you without requiring you to undress; most points are from the elbows to the fingers, knees to toes, and face, scalp and ears as we use styles of acupuncture which allow us to needle body parts that are not part of the complaint.
You will receive treatment during your first appointment unless the complexity of your initial interview requires more than 60 minutes of discussion.
Regular appointments after your initial visit are scheduled for 60 minutes.
Do you accept Medicare or XYZ insurance?
I am currently an out-of-network provider for all insurance plans. I expect payment at the time of service. As a sole proprietor, it is difficult to wait weeks or months for insurance payments that may be further delayed or denied. Accordingly, we do not accept any insurance coverage, but would be happy to offer documentation of your visit so you may submit directly for reimbursement (commonly 70-80% of the cost).
We accept cash, HSA cards, debit cards and credit cards.
Do you accept walk-in appointments?
It is only infrequently that walk-in's can be accommodated. Oftentimes, if you call even a few days or hours beforehand, we will do our best to get you in if space and time allows.