Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Under the care of a licensed practitioner, acupuncture is a very safe, effective, and pain-free treatment for many acute and chronic conditions.
Is Acupuncture Painful?
Acupuncture treatments are not painful. Acupuncture is performed with hair-thin needles, similar to a cat’s whisker. The needles do not resemble the pain felt from a hypodermic needle. Patients usually are in deep relaxation and often fall asleep while on the table.
Are there any side effects?
Other than an occasional small bruise, there are no side effects.
How does Acupuncture work?
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as Qi (chee) — believed to flow through pathways (channels) in your body. By gently inserting needles into specific points on the body, acupuncture helps to remove blockages or disharmonies within these channels in order to help heal, prevent illness, and rebalance the physiological functions of the body.
From a western medicine perspective, acupuncture needles serve as a way to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue to help stimulate the body's natural painkillers and rebalance hormone levels.
Where do the needles go?
The are acupuncture points located all over the body. Needles are placed at specific points on the body according to your specific diagnosis and needs. Depending on the specific condition, the needles commonly are placed at or below the elbows, and at or below the knees. Other common areas are on the back, abdomen, and ears.
What should I expect at my first treatment?
During the first appointment, the practitioner will take a complete health history and establish a pattern diagnosis of the condition for which you are seeking treatment. They will ask you questions about your lifestyle and all the systems of your body, not only about the condition for which you are being treated. The practitioner will feel your pulse, look at your tongue, palpate the abdomen and specific points on the channels to look for tender areas. The initial treatment is typically 1.5 hours, and follow-up treatments are 1 hour.
How Many sessions will i need?
It really depends on many factors including how severe or chronic the condition is. Acupuncture treatments work best with some consistency so that each session builds on the previous progress made. Generally, a minimum of 4 treatments is recommended to create lasting results. Some people come for much longer. Many use acupuncture periodically after their initial treatments as ‘maintenance’ or preventative medicine.
Can I receive acupuncture when I am pregnant?
Yes! Acupuncture is safe during pregnancy and while trying to conceive, and can help relieve many pregnancy and postpartum conditions. Because there are some acupuncture points that are contraindicated during pregnancy, it is important to inform the practitioner if you are pregnant.
How can I prepare for my acupuncture treatment?
The best way to prepare is to eat a snack or a light meal before treatment so the body has sufficient energy to work with. If possible, it’s best to wear loose clothing so that your arms and legs are accessible for treatment. After treatment we recommend you drink a glass of water and eat some nourishing food.
Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
Yes, most insurance carriers will pay for acupuncture treatments. At Upstream Medicine, we accept Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans.
What are the advantages of acupuncture?
One benefit to acupuncture is that it is a drug-free way to improve one’s health. With drugs, people often develop a tolerance, or the need for an increased dosage to achieve the same required effect. However, this does not happen with acupuncture. Acupuncture offers a simple way of gently guiding the body back in to balance or homeostasis without the use of prescription drugs (which can often create more side effects that need to be treated).