Acupuncture Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely thin needles to various depths at strategic points on your body. Although scientists don't fully understand how or why acupuncture works, some studies indicate that it may provide a number of medical benefits — from reducing pain to helping with chemotherapy-induced nausea or simply encouraging a sense of well-being and relaxation.

What happens during an acupuncture treatment session?

Acupuncture therapy usually involves a series of weekly or biweekly treatments in an outpatient setting. Acute situations may resolve in one or two sessions, while chronic situations require up to 12 treatments to determine if acupuncture is helpful with bi-weekly or monthly follow up treatments until resolution. Regular acupuncture sessions may be part of a preventative or optimal health plan. Although each acupuncture practitioner has his or her own unique style, each visit typically includes an exam and an assessment of your current condition, the insertion of needles, and a discussion about self-care tips. An acupuncture visit generally lasts 30 to 60 minutes.

During acupuncture treatment, the practitioner uses sterilized, individually wrapped metallic, solid, hair- thin needles that are used only once and then thrown away. People experience acupuncture differently. However, most feel no pain or a brief, sharp sensation as the needles are inserted, but generally the procedure isn't painful. It's common to feel a deep aching sensation when the needle reaches the correct spot. After placement, the needles are sometimes moved gently or stimulated with electricity or heat where sensations may again be experienced. Some people are energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed.

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago, but over the past two decades its popularity has grown significantly within the United States since 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his pain after surgery. Acupuncture is one of the key components of the systems of Oriental medicine. The body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Yin represents the cold, slow, or passive principle, while yang represents the hot, excited, or active principle. A major assumption is that health is achieved by maintaining the body in a "balanced state" and that disease is due to an imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qi or chi (vital energy) along meridians (pathways). There are 12 main meridians and 8 secondary meridians and more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body that connect with them. By inserting extremely fine needles into these points in various combinations, acupuncture practitioners believe that energy flow will rebalance - allowing your body's natural healing mechanisms to take over.

Preclinical 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. Researchers are studying possible explanations for how acupuncture works:

· Opioid release. During acupuncture, endorphins that are part of your body's natural pain-control system may be released into your central nervous system — your brain and spinal cord. This reduces pain much like taking a pain medication.

· Spinal cord stimulation. Acupuncture may stimulate the nerves in your spinal cord to release pain-suppressing neurotransmitters. This has sometimes been called the "gate theory."

· Blood flow changes. Acupuncture needles may increase the amount of blood flow in the area around the needle. The increased blood flow may supply additional nutrients or remove toxic substances, or both, promoting healing.

· Liquid crystalline fibers communication. An emerging theory combining biochemistry, cell biology, biophysics and neurophysiology suggests that the acupuncture system and DC body field operate via water layers on collagen fibers which provide proton conduction pathways for rapid intercommunication throughout the body, enabling the organism to function as a coherent whole.

Because of the difficulty of conducting valid scientific studies of acupuncture — numerous past studies have been proved inadequate. It's hard to create a definitive list of the conditions for which acupuncture might be helpful. However, preliminary studies indicate that acupuncture may offer symptomatic relief for a variety of diseases and conditions, including low back pain, headaches, migraines, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, carpal tunnel syndrome asthma, and low back pain. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognize acupuncture as a method of pain relief. According to current research, those treated with acupuncture for pain used less pain medicines and missed fewer work days. Additionally, research shows acupuncture can help manage postoperative dental pain and alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting as well as hot flashes accompanying prostate cancer. It also appears to offer relief for chronic menstrual cramps and tennis elbow. Studies have show positive results for fertility treatments. Further research is likely to uncover additional areas where acupuncture interventions will be useful.

How does one choose an acupuncture practitioner?
In the United States, acupuncture services are offered by two types of medical professionals:

Medical doctors. About 3,000 medical doctors use acupuncture as part of their clinical practice. Most states require that these doctors have 200 to 300 hours of acupuncture training in addition to their medical training.

Certified acupuncturists. About 11,000 certified acupuncturists who aren't medical doctors practice acupuncture in the United States. To be fully certified, these professionals complete between 2,000 and 3,000 hours of training in one of several independently accredited master's degree programs. They also must successfully complete board exams conducted by a national acupuncture accreditation agency, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) which provides an on-line referral list.

Caution: the state of Alabama does not regulate the practice of acupuncture (or naturopathic medicine) so lay and professional health care practitioners (DC or OD) may and do practice with little of no training. 44 states have established training standards for acupuncture certification, but states have varied requirements for obtaining a license to practice acupuncture. Although proper credentials do not ensure competency, they do indicate that the practitioner has met certain standards to treat patients through the use of acupuncture.

Why is neither acupuncture nor naturopathic medicine regulated in Alabama?

Alabama is one of six states that have not yet chosen to regulate the practice of acupuncture (oriental medicine) which is an issue of public health and safety. Contact your state and local government representative to encourage public safety through regulation.

Is acupuncture safe?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners in 1996. The FDA requires that sterile, nontoxic needles be used and that they be labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only. Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported to the FDA in light of the millions of people treated each year and the number of acupuncture needles used. Still, complications have resulted from inadequate sterilization of needles and from improper delivery of treatments. Practitioners should use a new set of disposable needles taken from a sealed package for each patient and should swab treatment sites with alcohol or another disinfectant before inserting needles. When not delivered properly, acupuncture can cause serious adverse effects, including infections and punctured organs.

• If you're considering acupuncture, do the same things you would do if you were choosing a doctor:
• Ask people you trust for recommendations.
• Check the practitioner's training and credentials.
• Interview the practitioner. Ask what's involved in the treatment, how likely it is to help your condition and how much it will cost.
• Find out whether the expense is covered by your insurance.

How do I find a licensed acupuncture practitioner?
The national acupuncture organization (NCCAOM) provides on-line referrals for certified acupuncturists that have completed required training and examinations.

How much will acupuncture cost?

A practitioner should inform you about the estimated number of treatments needed and how much each will cost. If this information is not provided, ask for it. Treatment may take place over a few days or for several weeks or more. Physician acupuncturists may charge more than nonphysician practitioners.

Will it be covered by my insurance?

Acupuncture is one of the CAM therapies that are more commonly covered by insurance. 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 preauthorization for acupuncture.

What should I expect during my first visit?

During your first office visit, the practitioner may ask you at length about your health condition, lifestyle, and behavior. The practitioner will want to obtain a complete picture of your treatment needs and behaviors that may contribute to your condition. Inform the acupuncturist about all treatments or medications you are taking and all medical conditions you have.

Are there any possible problems or complications?

When done by a trained professional, acupuncture is generally considered safe. The number of complications reported has been relatively few, but there is a risk that a patient may be harmed if the acupuncturist is not well trained. Traditional needle acupuncture can cause dizziness, fainting, local internal bleeding, convulsions, hepatitis B, dermatitis, nerve damage, increased pain or changes in pain patterns. Punctured lungs have happened rarely but have resulted in a few deaths. Traditional acupuncture also poses risks such as infection from contaminated needles or improper delivery of treatment. The risk of infection is much lower now that acupuncturists in the United States use sterile needles that are discarded after a single use. Those who are taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) may have bleeding problems with traditional needle acupuncture. People with cardiac pacemakers, infusion pumps, or other electrical devices should avoid electroacupuncture. Relying on this type of treatment alone, and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care, may have serious health consequences.