Acupuncture is a transformational medicine for body and mind.
It can effectively alleviate symptoms of pain, stress, and various other conditions — and you can start feeling effects with your first session.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture needles are strategically placed along the body and stimulate the central nervous system to release natural chemicals that alter hormonal output, pain response, and other biological processes, improving physical and emotional well-being.
Studies using MRI demonstrate that acupuncture has a measurable effect on parts of the brain that control numerous functions in the body. It does something completely remarkable – the stimulation of these needles deactivates certain areas of the brain while increasing the body’s natural opioids and release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. This process has a powerful effect depending on the focused application: decreasing inflammation, increasing blood flow, balancing hormones suppressing pain and calming an overactive nervous system (think stress, disruptive sleep, anxiety).
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture of course involves needles, but there are a couple of important things to understand:
The needles are tiny. Kitten-whisker tiny. In fact 30 acupuncture needles can fit inside a standard 18 gauge hypodermic needle (the type used for blood infusions or a push of IV fluids) and 15 acupuncture needles can fit inside a 21 gauge needle (standard needle used for blood draws). Because they are so thin, when inserted they rarely cause discomfort. Sensations that are felt are generally mild, but your acupuncturist will not leave a needle in if you are feeling discomfort.
Acupuncturists are trained with a technique that is quick and precise, inserting at safe depths on various points of the body. Needle depth can range from from a fraction of an inch (less fleshy areas) to a couple of inches (areas on the body with more muscle or fat), depending on the location and condition being treated.
How long are acupuncture sessions?
The first session is 90 minutes. Your acupuncturist will meet with you for an average of an hour to understand your full medical history and to understand how key functions of the body are operating - how you are sleeping, managing stress, what you are eating, how you are digesting, etc - these insights inform the acupuncturist where areas need more support and how they might be affecting your health goals. Following this intake, the acupuncture treatment with needles is close to 30 minutes.
All follow-up appointments are 60 minutes, including a 25-30 minute check-in with your acupuncturist followed by the acupuncture treatment.
How much does acupuncture cost?
Akin bills out of network to make care more affordable. For our patients who have out-of-network acupuncture coverage, patients on average get reimbursed 60%. We will provide you with a cost estimate before your first appointment.
