Frequently asked questions
- Is acupuncture painful?
- Is acupuncture safe?
- Is acupuncture just good for pain?
- How does acupuncture differ from painkillers?
- What do you expect during an acupuncture treatment?
- Will acupuncture be covered by insurance?
- How many sessions of acupuncture do you need?
Is acupuncture painful?
No. Unlike the thicker, hollow injection needles, acupuncture needles are fine, metallic and solid (0.12-0.30 mm). As they are skillfully inserted into selective points on your body, patients feel minimal prick pain like "mosquito bite" and tiny needling sensation. In our clinic, most of patients always say that it is much better than what they imagined.
Is acupuncture safe?
Certainly, If acupuncture treatment is performed by a qualified acupuncturist. Compared to other medical and alternaitve medical treatments, it has the least side effects. There are very limited reports that acupuncture might have unwanted effects. It is normal if you have some bruise on the site the needle was inserted, since very tine vein under skin was occasionally hit by the needle. If you wear pacemaker, are pregnant, or take blood thinner, please bring the matters to your acupuncturist's attention. Female patients should inform her practitioner if she has period.
Is acupuncture just good for pain ?
This is totally misconception. Although acupuncture is very effective in controlling pain, it is not all about it. Acupuncture can treat a variety of health conditions ranging from immunity boosting cardiac arrhythmia to face rejuvenation. see WHO list of health conditions frequently treated with acupuncture
How does acupuncture differ from painkillers?
| Acupuncture | Painkiller | |
|---|---|---|
| Objectives | Direct pain control Enhance healing |
Pain control |
| Mechanism of action | Stimulate nervous system to release endogenous pain killer Improve circulation of Blood and Energy |
Suppress central nervous system or block receptor of hormone for pain transmission |
| Benefits | Long-term healing effects | Short-term fast effects |
| Side effects | No | Gastric irritation Liver damage Drowsy Others depend on medications |
What do you expect during an acupuncture treatment?
During the first visit, you should bring any medical documents to your acupuncturist. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire
with regard to your medical history and basic personal information. Your practitioner will obtain a complete picture of your health state, daily diet, habit, behavior which may contribute to the condition.
During the consultation, it is very important for patients to describer all
of your symptoms and daily physical activities in details, since a doctor of
traditional Chinese medicine including acupuncturist depends heavily on your subjective description. After
thorough Chinese medical examine, your practitioner will explain to you possible diagnosis and
personalized treatment plan.
During a session of acupuncture treatment, you will be asked to lie on a treatment table and relax a few minutes. And
an acupuncturist will instruct you to prepare for the treatment. Disposable acupuncture needles will be gently inserted into selective points on arms, legs, backs or abdomen, etc. depending on your condition. With light music, you relax calmly on the table and acupuncture takes effect. Some acupuncturists may combine acupuncture with electrical stimulation, cupping, moxibustion or other methods. After 30 minutes, a session of acupuncture treatment is finished. Sometimes you may need more time depending on your acupuncturist. Other treatment may be added to your acupuncture treatment
plan.
Will acupuncture be covered by insurance?
Most of insurance companies elect to cover acupuncture. Your treatments are possibly covered under your group insurance policy if you have one. You can find related information in the booklet issued to the insured or simply call the insurance company for the information. If you would like us to bill your insurance company directly for your treatments, call your insurance agent for the possibility. Please don't hesitate to contact us for any assistance. If insurance company doesn't allow direct billing, you can send receipts by post or online to the insurance company for the reimbursement.
How many sessions of acupuncture do you need?
It really depends on your issue. General rule is that the longer your issue is, the more sessions of acupuncture you will need. On the other hand, recovery time is affected by many other factors such as age, type of illness, severity of issue, etc.
