Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a medical specialty that involves fine single-use needles that are inserted into the superficial level of the skin. The purpose is to treat a variety of symptoms and the results range from improving a person’s quality of life to gaining insight into themselves and their health.

The origin of acupuncture comes from East Asian medicine and has been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years. In the past 40 years, it has gained popularity in the US, as more and more people recognize its value and practicality.

Yes, acupuncture is safe when administered by a licensed acupuncturist.

No, acupuncture is not painful. The needles are very fine and sometimes you won’t even notice them going in. It’s common to feel sensations that run up and down the channels or on the opposite side of the point being needled. Surprisingly those little needles can actually be relaxing.

Yes, acupuncture works. 

From a western perspective, acupuncture points stimulate the central nervous system and initiate chemical signals to the brain, spinal cord, organ systems, and muscles. The results of acupuncture treatments alleviate pain, prevent disease, and boost the immune system.

From an eastern perspective, acupuncture is based on a theory of channels that acknowledges the importance of the human body as a whole rather than a series of independent parts. Channels protect the body and prevent deeper penetration of external and internal pathogens (disease) from the most superficial to the deepest part of the body.

Channels transmit acupuncture stimulation from the acupuncture point to the location of the diseased area. Acupuncture points may be stimulated with acupuncture needles, cupping, massage, heat, or pressure to regulate the whole channel.

When you come in and describe a primary concern, our job is to identify the channels and points that may be used to treat those signs and symptoms. The elegance of navigating a complex system is to select the exact points that will promote immediate effects and gradual improvements over time. It’s common when you begin to heal that other symptoms will resolve along with your primary concern.

It takes 6-12 treatments for acupuncture to work. Depending on what you’re coming in for, you can notice results immediately (“I can breathe again!” -or- “I feel so much better.” ) For acute conditions such as plugged sinuses or physical pain, you’ll notice a difference immediately.  For chronic conditions that last more than three months, it will take longer.

Acupuncture healing is based on the Law of Cure. The more superficial the condition, the faster it is to heal. Unresolved, deeper conditions take longer to heal.

If you’re new to acupuncture, expect to come into the office 1-2 times per week for the first 6-12 weeks. Then expect to space out treatments based on preventative care. This can range from once every other week, once every three weeks, once a month, or once every six weeks.

Based on research, if you’re new to acupuncture or if it’s been a couple of years since your last treatment, 6-12 treatments is the number of treatments to experience before you space out treatments. Your treatment plan will be modified based on your condition and needs.

Acupuncture treats an encyclopedia number of medical conditions. Below is a category list of issues that acupuncture treats

• Chronic
• Cognitive
• Dermatological
• Digestive
• Endocrine
• Fertility
• Immune
• Menopause
• Mental-Emotional
• Metabolic
• Musculoskeletal
• Neurological
• Reproductive
• Respiratory
• Skin
• Urinary
• Women’s Health

Acupuncture is best known for pain relief. However, it can treat more symptoms associated with the list provided above. If you’re re-evaluating your health plan, consider acupuncture. It’s a safe, natural, and effective approach to your health.

No, dry needling is not the same as acupuncture. While the tools (single-use, filiform stainless steel needles) are the same, the training, methods, and techniques are vastly different.

Training:

• Acupuncture training is roughly 5,000 hours. Acupuncture is performed by a licensed acupuncturist.
• Dry needling training is around 50 hours. Dry needling is performed by a medical professional who completes dry needling seminar certification.

Method:

• Acupuncture methods treat pain and internal medicine symptoms related to cognitive, dermatological, digestive, endocrine, immune, metabolic, neurological, reproductive, respiratory, and urogenital conditions.
• Dry needling method treats musculoskeletal pain only.

Technique

• Acupuncture needles are often retained (left in for 10-40 minutes). Acupuncture needling techniques range. In general, needles are inserted at specific anatomical locations all over the body — and at different needling angles — in order to treat symptoms, signs, organ systems, blood, fluid, and the person as a whole. An acupuncturist not only addresses a patient’s primary concern but diagnostically observes, palpates, and assesses a patient’s pulse, tongue, and abdomen in order to activate healing from within.
• In dry needling, needles are not retained. While there are several techniques to dry needling, typically dry needle insertion is an in-and-out method. The needling technique is fast and vigorous, and is specific to releasing myofascial tissue (tissue that wraps, connects, and encases your muscles) when musculoskeletal pain is involved.

If you’re making a decision about whether to get dry needling or acupuncture, know that an acupuncturist is the expert needler and can help you resolve pain issues and other health concerns.

 

There are three primary differences between acupuncture and dry needling: history, training, and technique.

History

• Acupuncture is one of the oldest recorded medical systems that dates over 2,000 years. It’s been passed down from generation to generation with relevant historical texts because it works! Acupuncture addresses an encyclopedic list of medical conditions, including musculoskeletal pain and internal medicine conditions.
• Dry Needling was first coined in 1952 by Janet Travell and Seymour Rinzler in a landmark paper. Travell then published clinical manuals called “Trigger Point Manuals” that are clinical reference books related to the anatomical location of trigger points and several manipulation techniques.

Training

• Acupuncture training is roughly 5,000 hours. Acupuncture is performed by a licensed acupuncturist.
• Dry needling training is around 50 hours. Dry needling is performed by a medical professional who completes dry needling seminar certification.

Technique

• Acupuncture needles are often retained for a period of time that ranges from 10-40 minutes. Acupuncture needling techniques range. In general, needles are inserted at specific anatomical locations all over the body — and at different needling angles — in order to treat symptoms, signs, organ systems, blood, fluid, and the person as a whole. An acupuncturist not only addresses a patient’s primary concern but diagnostically observes, palpates, and assesses a patient’s pulse, tongue, and abdomen in order to diagnose and to activate healing from within.
• In dry needling, needles are not retained. While there are several techniques to dry needling, typically dry needle insertion is an in-and-out method. The needling technique is fast and vigorous, and is specific to releasing myofascial tissue (tissue that wraps, connects, and encases your muscles) when musculoskeletal pain is involved.

If you’re making a decision about whether to get dry needling or acupuncture, know that an acupuncturist is the expert needler and can help you resolve pain issues and other health concerns.

Yes, they do. More and more insurance carriers are covering acupuncture treatments because it is a medical procedure based on medical necessity.

We are an in-network medical provider office with BlueCross BlueSheild (BCBS) CareFirst and Aetna. To find out if your insurance plan includes acupuncture, submit our Insurance Benefits Verification Form.

If you don’t have acupuncture benefits within your plan and wish to proceed, upon requisition based on the No Surprises Act you’ll receive a Good Faith Estimate. You’ll be responsible for the cost of treatment on the day of service.

After acupuncture treatment, expect to feel more relaxed or energized. Most people are pleasantly surprised to experience better sleep and a sense of serenity.

After an acupuncture session, these are the steps you’ll wish to do to optimize your treatment:

• Hydrate with room-temperature, purified water
• Go to the bathroom and have a healthy bowel movement
• Have a light meal
• Listen to calm, relaxing music to enhance your relaxed state of mind
• Practice gentle yoga or qigong /chi-gong/
• Go for a walk
• Practice meditation
• Sleep

Consider how you feel before and after treatment, what you expected and what you learned about yourself and your health.

If you feel energized, go for a leisurely walk. If you’re really relaxed, it’s beneficial to go home and rest, but if you can’t, then just take it easy.

When considering acupuncture aftercare routine, 24 hours after treatment avoid the following:

• High intensity exercise
• Alcohol, coffee, sugar, dairy, wheat, or processed meats
• Extreme temperatures—Hot showers, baths, or frigid air-conditioning
• Jumping into work and completing administrative tasks… You want to give yourself plenty of time to absorb the treatment.
• Stop Medications

High intensity exercise includes:

• Running
• Power yoga
• Weight lifting
• High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

To get the most out of your session, be sure to build in the space after treatment 2-3 hours to have some downtime.

For acupuncture treatments, you should wear clothes that are not tight and form-fitting like yoga pants. We recommend relaxed-fitting garments such as wide-legged pants and a simple top. A lot of good acupuncture points are located at the knees and elbow creases, and we need access. Unless you can easily adjust your cuff length, please leave the tight yoga pants at home.

Also, it’s better to avoid wearing makeup, strong perfumes, and a lot of jewelry. The reasons pertain to access to the acupuncture points and for diagnostic purposes. At the beginning and end of every treatment, you can expect your acupuncturist to take your pulse at both wrists. Also, there are acupuncture points located in the ears, the chest, and the wrists.

When choosing what to wear to acupuncture, be clean and comfortable.

Acupuncture cost varies based on the style of acupuncture (community-based group treatments vs one-on-one treatments), location, and insurance.

• A community-based acupuncture treatment may cost anywhere between $20-50/person. This is a cash-based system that doesn’t accept insurance and typically treats in a group setting with 6-20 people in a room at a time.
• A one-on-one acupuncture treatment can cost between $75.00-$300.00 for a 45-minute to two hour treatment out of pocket.
• In terms of location, expect a higher rate in big cities.
• Insurance can be in-network or out-of-network. You get a better rate, staying in-network, but you can still get a percentage discount out-of-network.

Much of it depends on whether your insurance plan includes acupuncture benefits. If you have benefits, usually there is a standard deductible ($500) before your copay kicks in ($20-50) per treatment.

An FSA/HSA card can be used towards treatment. Also, the IRS recognizes acupuncture as a  medical expense that you can deduct from your gross income.

If you’re paying out of pocket and wish to know my rates, before making an appointment, please contact me. To find out if your insurance plan includes acupuncture, submit our Insurance Benefits Verification Form.