Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our FAQ section, where we address the most common questions and concerns we’ve heard from our patients over the years. We understand that starting acupuncture or any holistic treatment comes with curiosity and uncertainty, so we’ve compiled these answers to help you feel informed and confident in your care.
Safety
Most people find acupuncture to be a relaxing experience. The needles are extremely thin—much thinner than a typical medical needle—so you may feel a slight pinch or tingling sensation, but it is generally not painful. Many patients even feel a sense of calm or slight heaviness as the treatment progresses.
Acupuncture is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which views health through the lens of energy flow (Qi). However, it is not tied to any religion or spiritual practice. Many patients, regardless of their beliefs, find acupuncture effective based on its physiological effects rather than any spiritual or philosophical framework.
In rare cases, a patient may experience temporary worsening of symptoms before improvement—this is sometimes called a “healing crisis.” It can happen as the body adjusts to the treatment, similar to soreness after physical therapy. However, a properly trained acupuncturist will tailor treatment to minimize any discomfort and adjust techniques if necessary.
Yes, acupuncture is very safe for older adults when performed by a licensed practitioner. Since the needles are extremely thin and minimally invasive, there is little risk of complications. Acupuncture can be an excellent alternative to medications, which often have side effects or interactions in older patients.
About Acupuncture
Yes, acupuncture is very safe when performed by a licensed practitioner. The needles are sterile, single-use, and disposable. Side effects are rare but may include mild bruising or soreness at the needle sites, which usually go away quickly.
Acupuncture is commonly used to relieve pain (such as back pain, headaches, and joint pain), stress, anxiety, digestive issues, insomnia, and more. It also supports overall wellness, balancing the body’s energy and enhancing natural healing processes.
Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which sees the body as an interconnected system of energy pathways, or meridians. When these pathways become blocked or unbalanced, it can lead to pain or illness. Acupuncture helps restore balance by stimulating specific points that influence the nervous system, circulation, and immune response. Modern research suggests acupuncture promotes the release of endorphins, improves blood flow, and regulates the body’s natural healing processes.
Acupuncture is very safe when performed by a licensed practitioner. The most common side effects are minor—such as slight bruising, soreness, or temporary fatigue. Rarely, some people may feel dizzy or lightheaded, but these effects usually pass quickly. If you have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners, it’s important to inform your acupuncturist before treatment.
No, when performed by a licensed acupuncturist, the risk is virtually nonexistent. We use single-use, sterile, disposable needles, ensuring a completely hygienic experience. Licensed practitioners follow strict safety and sanitation protocols.
Acupuncture Sessions
During your first visit, we’ll go over your health history and concerns. The actual acupuncture session involves lying comfortably while the needles are inserted at specific points on your body. You’ll rest for about 20–30 minutes with the needles in place. Many patients find it deeply relaxing and even fall asleep!
The number of sessions varies based on the condition being treated and how your body responds. Some patients feel relief after just one session, while chronic conditions may require multiple treatments over weeks or months. During your first visit, we’ll discuss a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is best used as a complementary therapy rather than a replacement for Western medicine. It can be highly effective for pain management, stress relief, and chronic conditions, often reducing the need for medication or invasive procedures. However, for serious medical conditions, acupuncture should be used alongside conventional treatments, not as a substitute.
Acupuncture works whether or not you believe in it! While Traditional Chinese Medicine has its own philosophy, modern scientific research supports acupuncture’s effectiveness for various conditions, including chronic pain and stress. Many people who were initially skeptical report significant benefits after experiencing acupuncture firsthand.
If you’re looking for a natural, drug-free approach to health and wellness, acupuncture is worth considering. It’s especially effective for pain, stress, and chronic conditions that haven’t responded well to other treatments. The best way to find out is to schedule an initial consultation where we can discuss your concerns and determine if acupuncture is a good fit for your needs.
Acupuncture stimulates specific nerve pathways that communicate with the brain and spinal cord. This triggers the release of neurotransmitters such as endorphins and serotonin, which help reduce pain, regulate mood, and promote relaxation. It also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps lower stress and improve overall well-being.
Clinical studies on acupuncture can yield mixed results due to factors like study design, placebo effects, and variations in treatment protocols. Unlike pharmaceuticals, which have a standardized dosage, acupuncture is highly individualized, making it difficult to study with traditional double-blind methodologies. However, many high-quality studies using neuroimaging and biomarker analysis show clear physiological effects, particularly in pain relief and nervous system regulation.
While the placebo effect plays a role in all medical treatments, acupuncture has demonstrated measurable physiological effects beyond placebo. Studies using functional MRI (fMRI) scans show that acupuncture activates specific brain regions linked to pain modulation. Additionally, controlled trials have found that real acupuncture produces better outcomes than sham acupuncture in conditions like chronic pain, migraines, and osteoarthritis.
Acupuncture points are located along nerve pathways, connective tissue planes, and vascular structures that communicate with deeper systems in the body. Studies show that stimulating these points can trigger central nervous system responses, influence autonomic function, and improve circulation in distant areas. The body is interconnected through fascial networks, bioelectrical signaling, and neurovascular pathways, explaining how needling a point on the hand can affect digestion, for example.
Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years and is increasingly supported by modern scientific research. Many prestigious institutions, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), recognize acupuncture’s effectiveness for certain conditions. Western medicine and acupuncture are not mutually exclusive—many hospitals and pain clinics now integrate acupuncture as part of evidence-based, holistic care.
Symptom Specific
Yes, acupuncture can support sexual health by improving blood circulation, reducing stress, and balancing hormones. It is commonly used to address issues like low libido, erectile dysfunction, and hormonal imbalances that affect sexual function.
Acupuncture can be a helpful complementary treatment for fertility by improving blood flow to reproductive organs, regulating hormones, and reducing stress. It is not a replacement for IVF but can enhance its success rates or support natural conception. Many fertility specialists recommend acupuncture alongside medical treatments.
Research shows that acupuncture helps regulate the body’s inflammatory response by influencing cytokine activity—proteins involved in immune function. It can decrease pro-inflammatory markers and increase anti-inflammatory ones, helping conditions like arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and chronic pain.
Acupuncture promotes vasodilation, which increases blood flow to targeted areas. This enhanced circulation helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues, aiding in healing and reducing muscle tension. It also improves microcirculation, which can benefit conditions like migraines, hypertension, and slow-healing injuries.
Yes, acupuncture has been shown to regulate the endocrine system by influencing the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This can help balance hormones related to stress (cortisol), reproductive health (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), and metabolism (thyroid hormones), making it beneficial for conditions like PCOS, menopause, and adrenal fatigue.
Acupuncture affects pain perception by modulating the body’s pain control system. It activates opioid receptors in the brain, reduces the activity of pain-signaling pathways, and increases the release of natural painkillers like enkephalins and endorphins. Studies using fMRI scans have shown that acupuncture can alter brain activity in pain-related regions, leading to long-term pain relief.
Acupuncture reduces musculoskeletal pain by stimulating the nervous system to release endorphins and anti-inflammatory chemicals. It also improves blood circulation to injured tissues, accelerating healing and reducing muscle tension. Studies show that acupuncture can help with conditions such as sprains, strains, tendonitis, and joint pain by promoting tissue repair and reducing pain perception.
Yes, acupuncture can be beneficial for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It helps by reducing inflammation in the joints, improving mobility, and decreasing pain by modulating pain pathways in the brain. Many patients with knee, hip, and shoulder arthritis find acupuncture effective in managing pain and delaying the need for surgery.
Acupuncture is widely used to treat chronic and acute back and neck pain. It works by releasing tight muscles, improving circulation, and reducing nerve irritation. Studies have shown that acupuncture can be as effective as, or even better than, conventional treatments like physical therapy, pain medications, and chiropractic care for conditions like herniated discs, sciatica, and muscle spasms.
Yes, acupuncture can aid post-surgical recovery by reducing pain, swelling, and scar tissue formation. It also promotes nerve regeneration and muscle function, which can help speed up rehabilitation after orthopedic surgeries such as knee replacements, rotator cuff repairs, and spinal surgeries. Many patients use acupuncture alongside physical therapy to enhance recovery outcomes.
Acupuncture is commonly used by athletes to recover from injuries, reduce muscle fatigue, and enhance performance. It can help with conditions like runner’s knee, tennis elbow, and Achilles tendonitis by reducing inflammation, increasing range of motion, and improving muscle activation. Many professional sports teams and Olympic athletes incorporate acupuncture into their treatment protocols for faster recovery and injury prevention.
Absolutely. Acupuncture helps reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and release endorphins, which act as natural painkillers. Many older patients find relief from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and general joint stiffness, allowing for better mobility and quality of life.
Yes, acupuncture can improve balance by enhancing proprioception (body awareness) and stimulating nerve function. It can also help with dizziness and vertigo, which are common causes of falls in seniors. By reducing pain and improving muscle function, acupuncture helps older adults move more confidently and safely.
Studies suggest that acupuncture can improve blood flow to the brain, reduce stress, and regulate neurotransmitters involved in cognitive function. While it’s not a cure for conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s, it may help with symptoms such as brain fog, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, which can support overall cognitive health.
Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system and balance hormones like melatonin and cortisol, which are essential for healthy sleep cycles. Many older patients experience deeper, more restful sleep after acupuncture, reducing the need for sleep medications that can cause drowsiness or dependency.
Acupuncture helps regulate body temperature by balancing the autonomic nervous system and hormone levels. Studies show that acupuncture can reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and night sweats by improving blood circulation and calming the hypothalamus, which controls temperature regulation.
Yes, acupuncture can help stabilize mood by increasing the production of serotonin and endorphins, which promote emotional well-being. It also helps regulate cortisol levels, reducing stress and anxiety while improving sleep quality, which is often disrupted during menopause.
Acupuncture supports metabolism by improving digestion, regulating blood sugar levels, and balancing hormones like estrogen and cortisol. It can also help reduce cravings, improve energy levels, and support weight management efforts in menopausal women.
Yes, acupuncture helps balance hormones by regulating the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. It improves blood circulation to the reproductive organs and reduces stress, which can stabilize irregular periods and relieve symptoms of conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or amenorrhea.
Acupuncture reduces menstrual cramps by increasing blood flow to the uterus, relaxing muscles, and reducing inflammation. It also balances hormones like prostaglandins, which contribute to pain and discomfort, and helps alleviate PMS symptoms like mood swings, bloating, and fatigue.
Absolutely. Acupuncture is often used to enhance fertility by improving ovarian function, increasing blood flow to the uterus, and regulating hormone levels. It is also commonly integrated with IVF and other fertility treatments to improve success rates.
Yes, acupuncture is a safe and effective way to manage pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness, back pain, sciatica, and fatigue. It also promotes relaxation and can help prepare the body for labor by balancing hormones and easing tension.
Acupuncture supports postpartum healing by promoting circulation, balancing hormones, and reducing stress. It can help with issues like postpartum depression, fatigue, milk production, and C-section recovery, allowing new mothers to regain energy and well-being more quickly.