Acupuncture and Traditional East Asian Medicine
When you face nearly any health issue – ranging from allergies to pain to the symptoms of cancer – acupuncture can help. It is known to improve more than 200 health conditions and to help prevent disease.
Our acupuncturists are all licensed and certified and practice in a number of holistic and primary care clinics across Allina Health.
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What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture consists of the insertion of fine, sterile acupuncture needles through your skin to help promote health and treat illness or pain. It is part of a larger system of medicine known as Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM), which is based on a holistic perspective of health. Your acupuncturist may also choose to use other therapies such as massage, cupping, herbal medicine, electric stimulation, movement and breathing therapies and nutritional recommendations that are part of TEAM.
What to expect from your acupuncture treatment
Do Acupuncture Needles Hurt?
When the needles are placed you may feel different sensations such as a dull ache, tingling or a radiating sensation. Sometimes people feel discomfort when the needles are inserted and sometimes people feel nothing.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Yes! Research has shown that when provided by a licensed acupuncturist, with the proper training, using sterile, single-use needles, acupuncture is considered very safe. The risks of acupuncture are low. Side effects might include temporary soreness, tiredness, minor bleeding, or bruising. Your acupuncturist will review the risks with you at your first meeting.
How Many Treatments Do You Need?
Each person responds differently to acupuncture and the number of treatments you need depends on how you respond and your condition. Acupuncture treatment plans are created for you, taking into account your unique lifestyle, condition and goals. Often receiving 4 - 6 treatments is enough to see if this therapy will help you. If your condition is chronic (long-lasting), you may need more treatment. Some patients choose to include regular acupuncture as a normal part of their health and wellness.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
While we do not yet fully understand how acupuncture works, research has shown that acupuncture stimulates the brain and body to release various chemicals including your natural pain killers, endorphins, immune system cells and neurotransmitters. In Traditional East Asian Medicine, acupuncture stimulates your body’s own healing response.
What Conditions or Symptoms Can Acupuncture Treat?
Acute and Chronic Pain Conditions such as:
- Neck and back pain
- Migraine and headache
- Joint pain and arthritis
- Nerve related pain (neuropathy)
- Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain
- Sports injuries and orthopedic conditions
- Post operative pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Digestive challenges including:
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Acid reflux and GERD
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Cancer related conditions such:
- Chemotherapy induced nausea and neuropathy
- Cancer related pain
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
Other Conditions including:
- Chronic fatigue
- Infertility
- Depression and anxiety
- Insomnia
- Urinary incontinence
- Smoking cessation
- Menstrual irregularities
- Menopausal related hot flashes.
- Asthma, Allergies, and rhinitis
- Neurological conditions such as post stroke recovery
More about acupuncture
Your safety is our utmost concern.
We offer acupuncture in a medical setting. Our acupuncturists are all certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. They are licensed by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice at Allina Health. They have completed at least 3,000 hours of training.
It’s important to be patient.
The effects of acupuncture are cumulative. Sometimes lasting change happens only after repeated visits, especially for long-term, chronic problems.
Some people only need two or three sessions to feel better, but many people require four to six sessions to see a noticeable improvement. Your acupuncturist can give you an estimate of how long it should take to feel a difference.
Check with your insurance first.
Many insurance plans now have acupuncture benefits for certain health issues. It’s important to contact your insurer to confirm it is covered. Medicare Part B now covers acupuncture for chronic low back pain. An acupuncture order from a physician, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant is required for Allina Health’s acupuncturists to bill Medicare to treat chronic low back pain.
Conditions treated by acupuncture
Acupuncture is used to treat many conditions and symptoms, including:
- chronic low back pain
- cancer symptoms and treatment side effects
- infertility
- menopause
- nausea
- pain
- restless leg syndrome
- short- or long-term illness
- sleep issues
- smoking cessation
- sports injuries
- stress and anxiety
- other medical conditions
Related links
Source: Penny George Institute for Health and Healing
Reviewed by: Michael Egan, LAc, MaOM, DiplOM
First published: 3/7/2017
Last reviewed: 8/3/2021