Common Questions

ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE

What is acupuncture?

It is the insertion of fine, solid, sterile needles into specific points on the body, that are known to affect specific bodily functions.  We use points primarily below the elbows and knees, as well as the ears and head.  This makes it convenient for you, the patient, so you can wear your everyday clothing to the clinic.    

Is Acupuncture known to help my condition?

The following conditions are frequently helped with acupuncture:

Is acupuncture effective for my condition?

Because Oriental medicine is a complete system with a comprehensive theory and way of understanding the body, an acupuncturist can offer help for most conditions. This does not mean that everyone who tries acupuncture attains a cure. No form of medicine can offer that guarantee nor should any practitioner suggest it. There are, of course, many variables that will determine whether or not you will get relief for your condition. The best way to find out is to try it.

How many treatments will I require?

Each patient is unique and responds to acupuncture differently, so the number and frequency of treatments will vary from patient to patient. The number of treatments needed to address a specific health concern depends upon the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. You may need only a single treatment for an acute, minor condition. For a chronic problem, twenty or more sessions might be required. The effect of acupuncture is cumulative, so you should see changes as you go through a course of treatment.

Since acupuncture addresses the health of the whole body, there are many people that regularly schedule acupuncture treatments as part of their regular health care regime and as a preventive measure to maintain good health.

Can I have acupuncture in conjunction with other therapies?

Yes.. Many people successfully combine acupuncture with Western medications and treatments, chiropractic, or massage therapy. This will vary so check with your acupuncturist.

Is acupuncture safe?

The World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health have each evaluated the safety of acupuncture and find it to have a lower rate of side effects and complications than any prescription medications or surgical procedures. When performed by a well-trained professional, acupuncture and related techniques have proven to be extremely safe. Needles are single-use, pre-sterilized and disposable to eliminate the risk of disease transmission, and Licensed Acupuncturists are certified in nationally recognized Clean Needle Technique protocols to ensure that needles are kept sterile.

What does acupuncture feel like?

People experience acupuncture differently, so when the needles are inserted most feel only a slight sensation or nothing at all. Once the needles are in place, you may feel a sensation of heaviness, warmth or tingling at and around the site of the needle, or in other parts of the body. Some people are energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed. Improper needle placement, movement of the patient, or a defect in the needle can cause soreness and pain during treatment. This is why it is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner.

How might acupuncture work?

Pre-clinical studies have documented acupuncture’s effects, but they have not been able to fully explain how acupuncture works within the framework of the Western system of medicine that is commonly practiced in the United States. It is proposed that acupuncture produces its effects through regulating the nervous system, thus aiding the activity of pain-killing biochemicals such as endorphins and immune system cells at specific sites in the body. In addition, studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones thus affecting the parts of the central nervous system related to sensation and involuntary body functions, such as immune reactions and processes that regulate a person’s blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature.

What if I am healthy?

Can acupuncture help prevent future problems or enhance well being? Acupuncture is powerful preventative medicine. Many people report higher energy levels, greater focus and ability to perform at peak levels in their work and play, by scheduling regular weekly or monthly treatments to stay in top shape.

How widely is acupuncture used in the United States?

In the past two decades, acupuncture has grown in popularity in the United States. The report from a Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 stated that acupuncture is being “widely” practiced by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists, and other practitioners or relief or prevention of pain and for various other health conditions. According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey the largest and most comprehensive survey of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by American adults to date an estimated 8.2 million U.S. Adults had ever used acupuncture, and an estimated 2.1 million U.S. Adults had used acupuncture in the previous year.

Will it be covered by my insurance?

A variety of insurance companies in Minnesota cover acupuncture. However, you should check with your insurer before you start treatment to see whether acupuncture will be covered for your condition and, if so, to what extent. Some insurance plans require pre-authorization for acupuncture. Many people have successfully used Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts for their acupuncture treatments.

How are the practitioners trained?

A practitioner must now complete a minimum of three years of graduate study at a nationally accredited school for acupuncture and Oriental medicine. This training includes a required number of hours in the classroom and in clinics treating patients with supervision. In Minnesota, a practitioner must also pass national certification board exams and then submit documentation to the Minnesota Medical Board of Practice to be licensed to practice acupuncture. There are many styles and traditions in Oriental medicine, though, so the background and specific training varies quite a bit from one practitioner to another.

If someone has a degree in Oriental medicine, does that include acupuncture? Yes. Oriental medicine is the umbrella term for several modalities of healing. It primarily includes education in Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture. Other modalities include tui na, or other bodywork, nutrition, qi gong, and meditation.

How should I choose a practitioner?

As with any health care practitioner, a personal rapport will be important. Because you can’t know whether it is a good fit until you meet the person, you might choose someone based on the special focus of their practice. You might also choose someone based on proximity to your work or home. In any case, it is important to remember that the training of the licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) involves understanding the theory and diagnosis of a different system of medicine and this leads to a masters degree in acupuncture and / or oriental medicine. This education offers a national certification by the NCCAOM which can be verified at www.nccaom.org, and a license to practice is issued from the state level. Minnesota requires a 200 hour acupuncture course for licensed medical or chiropractic doctors. A chiropractor, naturopath or medical doctor may have a license to practice acupuncture, but might not have a masters degree in oriental medicine.