When most people think about what acupuncture can treat, pain would probably be at the top of their lists. However, acupuncture helps people with many other conditions. Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems. For general information, below are some of the health concerns that acupuncture can effectively treat:

Today, acupuncturists undertake three to four years of extensive and comprehensive graduate training at nationally certified schools. All acupuncturists must pass a national exam for board certification through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)^® and meet strict guidelines to practice in every state.

When practiced by a qualified acupuncturist, acupuncture is extremely safe and most adverse events are minor. It is an all-natural, drug-free therapy, generally yielding no side effects just feelings of relaxation and well-being.

Following Clean Needle Technique protocols on handling and inserting needles properly further improves the safety of acupuncture. There is little danger of infection from acupuncture needles because they are sterile, used once, and then discarded. In this practice, only disposable needles sterilized by the manufacturer are used.

You might be interested to know about two very large German studies of acupuncture safety.* The studies reviewed approximately 2 million treatments and found that less than 9% of patients reported any adverse event and the most commonly reported events were bleeding or bruising at the area where the needle was inserted. Other adverse events associated with acupuncture included temporary discomfort at the site of needle insertion and even less common, feeling faint or experiencing fatigue.

Before your appointment:

• Write down and bring any questions you have. We are here to help you.
• If you are a new patient, we will send you a link to download the paperwork to fill out ahead of time.
• In the 2-3 hours before your appointment:
  • Try to be relaxed for your appointment as best as you can — avoid rushing, stressful situations, overexertion, etc.
  • Do not eat large meals just before your visit, but also don’t skip meals.
  • Stay hydrated.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing for easy access to acupuncture points. Some patients bring shorts, sweat pants, tank tops, etc. to change into for the treatment.

After your treatment:

• Refrain from overexertion, strenuous activities, working out, drugs or alcohol for up to six hours after the visit.
• You can still take your prescribed medications for any health conditions you have. Follow your provider’s dosing schedule for your medication.
• Avoid stressful situations. Make time to relax, and be sure to get plenty of rest.
• Do not eat large meals just after your visit.
• Stay hydrated — you don’t need to drink a lot of extra water after a treatment, but making sure you stay properly hydrated is always good for your health.

Between visits, take notes of any changes that may have occurred, such as the alleviation of pain, pain moving to other areas, or changes in the frequency and type of problems. Also make note of any changes you notice with other health conditions, bodily functions, and mood.