Is acupuncture safe?
Yes, when practiced by a licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture is a safe and effective way to improve your health. All needles used are individually packaged, sterile, and disposed of after a single use. Occasionally, bruising, reddening or a small amount of bleeding may occur where the needle was; this is normal and should dissipate in a couple of days. Licensed acupuncturists practice Universal Precautions and adhere to OSHA Safety Standards.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are very thin and they feel nothing like a hypodermic needle doctors use for injections. The patient generally does not feel the needle being inserted, but may feel a small pricking sensation. A mild dull ache or tingling sensation may be felt once the needles are inserted. Most people feel very relaxed during their treatment, and some will even fall asleep.
How many treatments are needed?
The number of treatments will vary according to the person and the condition being treated. Generally, chronic conditions will take longer to treat than acute conditions. After 2 to 4 treatments, your practitioner will be better able to determine how you respond to acupuncture, and how many treatments you will need. Typically a course of treatment is 8 to 12 treatments.
Does insurance cover acupuncture?
Some insurance companies do cover acupuncture and the list is growing as acupuncture continues to rise in popularity. Currently, Balanced Wellness does not do direct insurance billing and you will be expected to pay fully for your treatments. We will gladly provide a statement of payment to submit for insurance reimbursement.
What kind of training should an acupuncturist have?
In Massachusetts, a licenesed acupuncturist must complete a three-year full-time Master’s Degree program with over 2200 didactic and practical classroom hours and over 700 hours of internship training in Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as the successful completion of National Board Exams administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
