Acupuncture is a certain type of therapy that may generate a lot of benefits. Primarily, it is a non-surgical or non-drug therapy. Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for pain management especially those with nausea or undergoing a chemotherapy treatment. In fact, the National Health Interview Survey had conducted a study in 2002 and it shows that there are approximately 2.1 million of adults in the U.S. had used acupuncture that year. Acupuncture has been in the U.S. for more than 20 years already and according the studies it shows that there are a lot of benefits that it can provide specifically for conditions like knee osteoarthritis, headaches and low-back pain.

As a matter of fact, acupuncture is also used for some independent treatment but it can also be blended with other types of healthcare therapies.

Before your visit

  • Ask chiropractors or some health care professionals for referral, some chiropractor are also practicing acupuncture.
  • Ask your friend or relatives for referrals.
  • Check the internet for a certain referral listings of several organizations for chiropractors.
  • To make sure that the acupuncturist are reliable, check their credentials like license, education and other requirements. Make sure that they have the license to practice acupuncture in your area and pass licensure examination at the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
  • Ask them regarding the process of treatment and its effectivity especially for your condition and its cost of course.
  • You may also ask your insurance company, if they can cover your acupuncture treatment.

During your visit
During your first office visit, the acupuncture practitioner may ask you for details related to your health condition, lifestyle, and behavior. Be sure to tell the provider about all treatments or medications you are taking and all conditions you have. Ask how many visits the treatment will take approximately.

Most acupuncture providers have unique styles for a typical visit. Most treatment session may last for about 25 to 30 minutes. Including in these session are physical exam, assessment and the insertion of the needles as well as tips for proper home care. Before the acupuncturist perform the acupuncture, the patient are being asked to lie down on a soft surface on the side, face down and face up, which depends, where they will insert the needles. In general, this process isn’t painful there can be a slight sensation when the needle reaches the depth. In some session, needles are being stimulated by heat or electricity. Every treatment may need up to 12 needles and may set for 5 to 20 minutes.

Benefits

  • The side effects are less
  • Can be used to complement some type or therapies
  • Available everywhere
  • It can control a certain type of pain.

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