Acupuncture (reflex therapy) is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment in which there is an impact on the biologically active points of the body that are responsible for the work of certain organs. Thus, there is an unblocking of energy channels, and the body itself includes a program of recovery. Nowadays, Acupuncture treatment is gaining popularity and thus people around the world becoming curious about Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine to treat chronic pain relief like neck pain, chronic low back pain, chronic knee pain, etc.
Moreover, this treatment helps to relieve pain such as tension headaches, osteoarthritis pain, or arthritis pain, improve the central nervous system, reduce menstrual cramps, dental pain relief, muscle pain, increases blood flow, etc. However, since Acupuncture is not that common treatment, people have a lot of queries regarding this procedure. So, here are the most frequently asked questions about Acupuncture. Let’s now dig deeper to know in detail about the most frequently asked questions about acupuncture treatment below…
Acupuncture FAQs
What Is Acupuncture?
The definition of Acupuncture says that it’s a therapy that uses thin needles to inserted into the patient’s skin. This needle insertion stimulates specific acupuncture points in your body. The purpose of acupuncture treatment is to relieve a symptom or health condition, such as chronic pain. The acupuncture practice is derived from traditional Chinese medicine. A few scientific studies and also the national certification commission have confirmed the effectiveness of acupuncture for some conditions.
How does acupuncture work? 
Chinese traditional medicine, acupuncture works very differently from Western medicine. Acupuncture removes blocks and releases energy flow to treat the patient.
Modern research has shown the clinical efficacy of acupuncture, but unfortunately, not all of the effects of acupuncture from Western medicine have been fully explained.
From the point of view of Western medicine, needles stimulate the nervous system, causing a cascade-like response to the reaction of the body. These include releasing endorphins and hormones, relieving pain and inflammation, and stimulating bodily functions such as immune responses, blood and lymph circulation, and regulation of blood pressure and body temperature.
In short, acupuncture stimulates a person’s innate repair mechanisms.
What Are The Benefits of Acupuncture?
The main advantages of acupuncture: are safety and minimal pain, normalizing effect on the body – both the physical and psychological state of a person is restored.
The reserve capabilities of the body are mobilized, and immunity is strengthened.
Acupuncture is performed without the use of chemicals and is not addictive.
What Diseases Can Be Treated With Acupuncture?
Acupuncture treatment is the effect of needles on acupuncture points. This treatment generally, treats gynecological diseases, headaches, chronic pain, knee pain, back pain, neck pain, etc.
Can Acupuncture Be Used For Headaches?
Widely used in the treatment of pain: headaches, including migraines (treatment of attacks and their prevention); pain in the back and limbs in diseases of the spine; pain in the joints.
When Shouldn’t Be Treated With Acupuncture Needles?
Cancer patients, people with varicose veins, mental illness, psoriasis and eczema, high blood pressure, and the presence of tumors can’t be treated with acupuncture. Acupuncture is prohibited at high temperatures, and not recommended during menstruation, serious infections, and also after drinking alcohol.
Can There Be Complications After Acupuncture Thin Needles Treatment?
Acupuncture has almost no side effects. Sometimes patients feel dizzy, and pressure drops. In this case, the doctor immediately removes the needles and helps the patient recover. A professional acupuncture practitioner always follows all the rules of hygiene, so infection and other complications are rare to take place.
Is acupuncture painful?
This is the most frequently asked question. The needle insertion is usually a fairly painless practice. Acupuncture points get needle insertion using sharp and thin sterile needles – only 0.12-0.25 mm in diameter.
Once the needles have been placed at the right acupuncture point, the patient often experiences light electrical stimulation. This conventional treatment involves needle insertion that gently manipulates the acupuncture point to relieve pain. The patient then usually experiences a feeling of heaviness or a slight tingling sensation. This special feeling is necessary to stimulate the body’s response to treatment.
Most patients do not feel these pains. If the patient first came to an acupuncture session, acupuncture is carried out very carefully by the acupuncturist.
How Many Acupuncture Sessions Should I Need?
On average, a professional acupuncture practitioner prescribes 6 to 10 acupuncture sessions. The minimum is 4 acupuncture sessions, the maximum is 15 acupuncture sessions. Medical Acupuncture practitioners can tell you the exact number of treatments needed.
Are there side effects in acupuncture?
Often during the first treatment, there is a deep sense of relaxation or even slight disorientation immediately after the acupuncture session. Most people find it a very pleasant and soothing sensation that lasts up to one or two hours.
Occasionally, at the beginning of treatment, an exacerbation of symptoms may begin, which lasts one or two days. There may be other changes, such as changes in appetite, drowsiness, changes in an emotional state, and defecation.
This should not be a cause for concern, as a flare-up is an indication of the body’s response and is usually a good sign of further successful treatment. However, all sensations should be reported to the acupuncture practitioner.
Negative side effects from properly performed acupuncture are very rare. Since acupuncture causes natural responses to the body’s healing, it is very difficult to stimulate the body’s response in a way that is unhealthy.
The desired side effects are that acupuncture acts on the entire body as a whole, improving overall health.
How many Acupuncture Needles Are Places At One Time? 
During the procedure, you may get 2 to 20 inserting needles into the acupuncture points. The exact amount depends on your weight, your gender, your treatment diseases, and the diagnosis.
How Much Does Chinese Acupuncture Cost?
Considering that acupuncture is an affordable method in itself, such treatment will not hit your pocket that much. As per National studies & observations, generally, an acupuncture session will cost you between $70 to $150.
The first consultation fee is generally separate and it can range from $100 to $300. On average, the following sessions cost you between $50 to $90 per session, based on what you want the treatment for, where you live, etc. For the exact amount, you should consult your acupuncture practitioner. Only they can tell you the exact cost.
Is acupuncture safe?
The dangers of acupuncture include the risk of infection and organ puncture. Side effects of acupuncture are very minimal and rare.
In acupuncture practice by a professional acupuncture practitioner, the acupuncturist generally follows all hygiene requirements by good acupuncture practice standards. The acupuncture practitioner only uses disposable acupuncture needles that are sterilized during the manufacturing process.
The professional acupuncture practitioner regulates acupuncture needles simply as it does further medical devices under decent manufacturing practices as well as single-use standards of sterility. Even national institutes of health approve acupuncture treatment for treating chronic pain. So, yes, acupuncture treatment is safe.
Will Acupuncture Be The Only Procedure That Will Be Used?
No. In most cases, the acupuncture practitioner will find out all the circumstances that led to illness or disorders, then he will advise how to change nutrition and lifestyle to develop recovery and eliminate the recurrence of the disease using acupuncture along with complementary and alternative medicine needed for the treatment.
If necessary, the acupuncture practitioner will advise the necessary physiotherapy and massage procedures, therapeutic exercises, etc.
Are needles reusable? Is it possible to catch some kind of infection?
You will not catch an infection if you go to a trusted and licensed clinic. Disposable needles are used for acupuncture. They are removed from the sterile packaging and disposed of after the acupuncture session.
Does Acupuncture Treatment Get Insurance Coverage?
Yes, acupuncture treatments get paid with an insurance plan if the practitioner is also a professional physician. Also, many other factors are get considered by the insurance company before paying the fees.
FINAL WORDS:
Results of some research indicate that acupuncture treatment may help relieve pain that is sometimes chronic like neck pain, low-back pain, and knee/osteoarthritis pain. It even may help to reduce the commonness of tension headaches as well as stop migraine headaches. Thus, acupuncture seems to be a practical option for patients with chronic pains. Nevertheless, clinical practice approaches are inconsistent in suggestions about acupuncture.
The results of acupuncture treatments on the body and brain are only starting to be understood. Recent evidence indicates that many aspects—such as belief and expectation—that are irrelevant to acupuncture needling and may play an important role in the practical effects of acupuncture treatment on pain.
To learn more about available services and treatment options, please visit our acupuncture page.