Acupuncture is an effective and complete medical system that is more than 2,500 years old. It involves the insertion of very thin (hairlike) needles at strategic points on your body. This activates the body’s energy system (Qi) and enhances your body’s ability to heal. Traditionally, acupuncture has been used to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease, as well as to improve general health. It is a safe, painless, and effective way to treat a wide variety of medical conditions.

Your initial visit is a telehealth appointment. Upon completing your comprehensive intake forms, Dr. Iona will review your health history in detail and answer any questions that you may have. After that, your first in-office appointment will include a physical assessment according to Chinese medicine. With each subsequent treatment, we will assess your symptoms and progress through questions and answers, pulse and tongue diagnosis, and palpation of various points on your body.

Typically, no. At most, you will experience a slight sensation or awareness that is fleeting and only last a few seconds. Studies have shown that acupuncture can cause your body to release natural opiates, which explains the feelings of wellbeing and relaxation you feel after a treatment. Needles placed in specifically selected acupoints help the nervous system release chemicals. This release can either change your experience of pain or trigger a cascade of chemicals and hormones that help regulate the body’s own internal healing system. Most patients leave our treatment rooms feeling relaxed and “floaty.”

Treatment length varies depending on several things including your constitution and what you are seeking treatment for. Most patients find the treatment so relaxing that they often fall asleep.

Unfortunately, there is no set answer to this. The number of treatments fluctuates by individual and a variety of factors including your condition, your constitution, how long the condition has been present, your lifestyle factors, and more. Some patients feel relief after the first treatment or two; others take longer.

We recommend that you call your insurance company directly to inquire as to whether you have acupuncture coverage for the condition you are seeking help with. Though you may have acupuncture benefits, not all conditions are covered by insurance. Here, at Healing Points, we are considered an out-of-network provider. Some insurance companies offer out-of-network benefits once your deductible is met. If you have out-of-network benefits, our office will supply you with a Superbill that you can submit directly to your insurance company for any eligible reimbursement.

According to the National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization, acupuncture has proven effective in the treatment of many common problems including: