Acupuncture Pocket Guide

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Fast Facts

In 2012, about 3.5 million US adults used acupuncture, a 50 percent increase in five years
Leading medical centers Johns Hopkins, Duke, Cleveland Clinic and those in the military and Veterans Health Administration integrate acupuncture into their care plans

The World Health Organization endorses the use of acupuncture for more than two dozen medical conditions
Patients with chronic pain appear to receive the most benefits from acupuncture
Sessions typically cost between $65-$125 per treatment; some of which might be covered or discounted by health insurance

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?

Acupuncture is a practice in which a trained specialist called an acupuncturist stimulates, usually with a needle, a specific point on the skin called acupoints. Acupoints spark the brain and nervous system causing chemicals like endorphins to be released in the body. These chemicals may directly impact how a person experiences pain, and therefore helps the body and its internal organs to reset. The purpose of acupuncture is to rebalance or correct the body’s energy flow, relieve pain and stimulate the body to heal itself.

WHAT DOES ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?

In the last 20 years, patients increasingly seek complementary medicine practices to integrate into their healthcare. Research shows that acupuncture is effective for treating certain conditions including:

Low back pain
Stress urinary incontinence
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
Headaches

For the research on acupuncture’s effect on a particular health concern, visit the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) for an in-depth analysis.

Are there precautions, side effects or safety concerns I should be aware of before I start acupuncture?

Acupuncture is widely considered a safe practice when using sterile, disposable needles. Nevertheless, there is potential risk involved as there is with all medicine practices. Talk to your doctor and acupuncturist about the following:

Precautions

Pregnancy—Acupuncture can cause contractions which can induce labor
Emergencies—If you are experiencing a condition requiring urgent medical attention, do not seek acupuncture, call 911
Surgical Intervention—Acupuncture is not a substitute for any surgical intervention
Malignant Tumors—Acupuncture should not be used to treat a malignant tumor and the site of the tumor should never be needled
Bleeding Disorders—Individuals who suffer from bleeding disorders or who take blood-thinning medications should check with their doctor before receiving acupuncture treatment

Side Effects

Slight bleeding and bruising at the acupoint site
Fainting—Patients may feel faint during acupuncture so it is recommended for the first treatment the patient lie down; If this occurs needles should be removed immediately
Convulsions—Patients who have previously experienced convulsions, please inform your practitioner; If this occurs needles should be removed immediately
Pain—It is unlikely, but some patients may experience pain during the treatment

What training/certifications do acupuncturists have?

Most states require that acupuncturist have received a diploma from a program accredited by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Acupuncturists usually obtain a master’s degree (2-3 years) specifically in acupuncture.
In addition to licensed acupuncturists, other practitioners perform acupuncture including medical doctors, chiropractors, naturopaths and detox techs. Be sure to understand your practitioner’s training and whether it suits your needs and condition.
Visit http://www.nccaom.org/state-licensure/ for your state’s requirements.

How can I find an acupuncturist located near me?

Ask about training and what conditions he/she treats. The following information can help you locate an acupuncturist in your area:

American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
310-379-8261
http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/Find-an-Acupuncturist

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
904-598-1005
http://www.nccaom.org/find-a-practitioner-directory/

Acufinder
877-630-3600
https://www.acufinder.com/

Acupuncture Now Foundation
https://acupuncturenowfoundation.org/find-qualified-acupuncturist-usa/

How much will an acupuncture session cost?

The cost of acupuncture treatments will vary based on location, provider, and extent of services needed. Generally, acupuncture treatments range from $65 to $125 per treatment session. Some conditions may be covered or discounted by insurance.

Talk to your Doctor

Let your medical providers know that you would like to include acupuncture in the tools you are using to improve your health.

What is integrative health?

Integrative health is the pursuit of personal health and wellbeing foremost, while addressing disease as needed, with the support of a health team dedicated to all proven approaches – conventional, complementary and self-care.

Sources

Briggs JP, Shurtleff D. Acupuncture and the Complex Connections Between the Mind and the Body. JAMA. 2017;317(24):2489-2490. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.7214
Jonas Wayne B., Bellanti Dawn M., Paat Charmagne F., Boyd Courtney C., Duncan Alaine, Price Ashley, Zhang Weimin, French Louis M., and Chae Heechin. Medical Acupuncture. June 2016, 28(3): 113-130. doi.org/10.1089/acu.2016.1183
Liu Z, Liu Y, Xu H, et al. Effect of electroacupuncture on urinary leakage among women with stress urinary incontinence: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.7220
Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, Forciea MA; Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians. Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166(7):514-530.
Vickers AJ, Linde K. Acupuncture for chronic pain. JAMA. 2014;311(9):955-956.

Photo by Katherine Hanlon on Unsplash

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