FAQ
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a medical therapy developed over 2,000 years ago in Asia. Acupuncture stimulates specific points on the body using very thin, sterile, stainless steel needles. This process restores balance to the body, relieving symptoms and healing the underlying causes of illness, thus restoring health.
How does acupuncture work?
In Western medical theory, acupuncture appears to work by stimulating parts of the brain. It also stimulates the body to release natural bio-molecules such as neurotransmitters, vasodilators, and hormones such as endorphins. These bio-molecules help to increase circulation, speed healing, reduce pain, and alleviate stress.
In Chinese medical theory, acupuncture works by strengthening, strengthening and balancing the body’s energy, or “Qi” (pronounced “chee”). Qi can be described as a form of bio-energy that runs like electrical current through the body along 12 main pathways, or meridians. If the Qi isn’t moving properly, or isn’t strong enough, it shows up as an imbalance or illness. Basically, if you have a health condition, some part of your body’s system is out of whack. Chinese medical theory allows us to diagnose the imbalance… and balance it.
A good example of this is the use of acupuncture to induce labor. Certain acupuncture points cause the release of oxytocin, which is the hormone that naturally induces labor. Studies have shown that using acupuncture to induce labor reduces the active (painful) phase of labor by an average of 3.6 hours.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Most people barely feel a thing when needles are inserted. The reason acupuncture needles don’t give the painful sensation you might expect is because they’re very, very thin in comparison to the hypodermic needles used to give injections. Hypodermic needles are necessarily hollow so that the shot can be injected. They also have a very blunt point (actually a wedge shape) in comparison to an acupuncture needle. Forty acupuncture needles can fit into the tip of one standard 18 gauge hypodermic needle.
There are certain sensations associated with the therapeutic effects of acupuncture, which are known as de qi (pronounced “dah-chee”). These may include a mild sensation of heaviness at or near an acupuncture point, or a sensation of movement traveling along a meridian. These sensations are generally very mild, totally normal (in fact they are a good sign!), and generally subside after a few moments.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is very safe. Acupuncture needles are FDA-approved, individually packaged in sterile blister packages, and are properly disposed of after one use. Every practitioner gets extensive training in anatomy, and damage by an acupuncture needle is extremely rare, due in part to the tiny size of the needles and the generally shallow insertion.
Do I have to believe in it for it to work?
Acupuncture and herbs work whether you believe in them or not. Acupuncture works really well on dogs, cats, and horses, as well as infants - a strong indicator that one does not need to believe in it for it to be effective. So, skeptics - welcome! Come and give it a try.
Does acupuncture always work?
Good results are seen in the vast majority of cases. Most people respond well to acupuncture, and see results fairly fast, often on their first visit.
What Should I Expect On My First Visit?
During your first visit, you will fill out an intake form, and then we will spend some time talking with you to get an overall picture of your health, as well as learn more about the details of your main complaint(s) and answer any questions you may have. We do this so that, in addition to treating the symptoms of your condition, we can identify and treat the underlying cause.
The first visit usually lasts a little over an hour - time for you to fill out your intake forms, talk with the doctor, and have your first treatment. Your subsequent visits will shorter - usually 30-45 minutes - during which time we’ll make a short review of your progress followed by an acupuncture treatment.
If it’s warranted, we will also prescribe an herbal formula, and/or make suggestions about vitamins, minerals, or other supplements for your condition(s). We will occasionally make suggestions regarding dietary and lifestyle changes you might want to consider, as well.
How often would I need to come in for treatment?
Acupuncture treatments are typically recommended to be given once a week for a series of weeks. If your condition is particularly painful, treatments may be given 2-3 times per week for a couple of weeks until the pain is more managable. The exact duration of treatment will depend on your condition, your basic level of health, and how well you respond to acupuncture.
Does insurance cover acupuncture?
In New Mexico, most insurers cover acupuncture. When you come in for your first visit at Sunflower Acupuncture, we will take care of calling your insurance company to find out what your coverage is and how much, if any, co-pay you will need to pay. Most co-pays for acupuncture are between $15-25, and most insurance plans that cover acupuncture allow for 20 or more visits per calendar year. You can also find out what your acupuncture coverage is by calling the “Member Services” phone number on the back of your insurance card, or by visiting your insurance company’s website (use links below). We accept the following insurance at Sunflower Acupuncture: