FAQ & BLOG
The medicine and medical treatments offered by Empire Medicine are a blend of eastern and modern wisdom. We follow these practices proudly, and we want you to know about them as well. Check out our blog and the answers to some of the most common questions about acupuncture to learn more!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Come with any questions—we’re here to help you.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing for easy access to acupuncture points.
Women should not wear one-piece dresses.
- Don’t eat large meals just before or after your visit, but eat something; please do not have an empty stomach.
- Refrain from overexertion, working out, and alcohol for up to 6 hours after the visit.
- Avoid stressful situations. Make time to relax, and be sure to get plenty of rest.
- Between visits, please pay attention to 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.
- Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry, full, or emotionally upset.
Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry, full, emotionally upset,
While it is difficult to put a number on it, most people will begin to feel better after 3-5 treatments. Some of them can experience dramatic results after the first treatment. Some patients experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain and other symptoms, such as headache, nausea, dizziness, pain, and swelling in acute sports injuries. The improvements are normally incremental. You may feel 20% better after your third treatment, 30% better after your fourth, and so on. The upward trajectory can have some glitches, but we are looking for a pattern of improvements. Chronic conditions, like 30 years of arthritis, tend to take longer to resolve. Acupuncture works best when you get frequent treatments at the beginning of your treatment schedule. The treatments will be less frequent as you improve.
Most people call it a painless treatment. The sensation caused by an acupuncture needle varies. It feels like a mosquito is biting most people. Some people feel a little pain as the needles are inserted, but most people feel no pain at all. More than half of the people are falling asleep during the process. The more you relax, the less you will feel. Ask yourself any questions you have along the way, practitioner, so you can get the most out of the treatment. Do not change your position or move suddenly. If you are uncomfortable, tell your practitioner.
The depth of the insertion varies. For example, your acupuncturist will use a needling technique that is different in fleshier areas, such as your buttocks. Typically, needles are inserted at depths ranging from 1/8″ to 1 1/2″. In experienced hands, it is the safest medical procedure, up to 100% safe.
Acupuncture is extremely safe. It is an all-natural, drug-free therapy, yielding no side effects except feelings of relaxation and well-being. Acupuncture needles cause some blackness and blur for a few days at a time. It is the safest medical procedure in experienced hands, with up to 100% safety.
Yes! In some instances, children actually respond more quickly than adults. If your child has an aversion to needles, your acupuncturist may massage the acupuncture points. This is called acupressure or Tui Na.
It is the safest medical procedure in experienced hands, with up to 100% safety.
Today, acupuncturists receive 3 to 4 years of extensive and comprehensive graduate training at nationally certified schools. All acupuncturists must pass a national exam and meet strict guidelines to practice in every state.
Cupping is a therapy designed to stimulate the flow of blood and qi within the superficial muscle layers. It is used for sore muscles, tension, neck pain, and the common cold. In this therapy, your acupuncturist will place small glass or plastic “cups” over specific areas of your body. A vacuum is created under the cup using heat or suction. They may be moved over an affected area or left in place. You may leave the office looking as though a large octopus gave you a big hug. There is no need for an alarm. The slight redness will quickly dissipate.
Gwa Sha is another technique used to release muscle tension, tightness, and constriction. A specialized tool is used to gently scrape or rub the skin over a problem area. Gwa Sha feels a bit like a deep massage. This may leave some slight redness that will quickly dissipate.
Moxibustion is a treatment that uses an herb called mugwort. It may be burned on the handle of the needle, above the skin, on salt, or on a slice of ginger. This is used to “warm” acupuncture points or areas in order to quicken the healing process. This is the best way to turn the breech fetus position into a head position with no risk. The success rate is about 80% if Moxibustion is processed between 36 weeks and 38 weeks of pregnancy.
Herbs can be a powerful adjunct to acupuncture care. They are used to strengthen, build, and support the body or to clear it of excess problems like a cold, fever, or acute pain. Your practitioner may suggest starting with herbs and then adding acupuncture to your treatment in the future. This is suggested to build up your internal strength so you can receive the full benefits acupuncture has to offer. There are synergistic effects in most cases.
Insurance coverage varies from state to state. Contact your insurance provider to find out what kind of coverage you have. Here are a few questions to ask:
- Will my plan cover acupuncture?
- How many visits per calendar year?
- Do I need a referral?
- Do I have a co-pay?
- Do I have a deductible? If yes, has it been met?
- Do I have out-network benefits for acupuncture coverage?
Rates vary and depend upon what procedures are performed. It is best to consult with your acupuncturist about costs.
Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as being effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems (as shown in what we treat). There is a list of medical issues for which acupuncture has been effective in treating them.
The frequency of treatment depends on your medical condition. Two to three times per week would be effective for most common cases. Many conditions respond faster to frequent acupuncture treatments, while other patients only need to come in once a week. Once your condition is stabilized, you won’t need to come in as frequently. When you come in for your first visit, we’ll formulate an individual treatment plan just for your condition to reach the maximal outcome.
When people come in for the first time, they aren’t sure how long they should stay and rest with the needles in. We often tell our patients to stay for at least 30 minutes for the treatment to take effect. The body heals best when it is resting if you are in a restful state of mind. Based on the research data, the treatment reaches the optimal results and effects if the retention of needles lasts for 45 minutes.
There is no additional benefit if the retention of needles is greater than 60 minutes.
Yes, many patients combine acupuncture with other services. A combination of acupuncture with other treatments may increase the benefits of both. Acupuncture can be a valuable service. For example, acupuncture combined with PT or chiropractic care can be a minimally invasive, drug-free, and effective treatment for back pain, neck pain, and a variety of sports injuries. Acupuncture can ease pain and speed recovery. Acupuncture can speed up the healing process as a significant treatment after heavy surgeries. And in many cases, acupuncture is beneficial as a stand-alone therapy for chronic pain, sports injuries, emotional care, etc. Acupuncture is the best choice to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy for any kind of cancer.
That depends on the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. You may need only a few treatments for an acute condition. A series of 5-20 treatments may resolve many chronic problems. Some degenerative conditions may require many treatments over time. To help reduce the number of treatments, your practitioner may suggest lifestyle changes, such as dietary modifications, specific exercise regimens, relaxation techniques, self-massage, and Chinese herbal medicines, all of which may help to increase the efficacy of acupuncture and reduce the need for additional acupuncture treatments.
While some insurance plans allow for acupuncture and other alternative treatment therapies, there are others that are still reluctant to include coverage. The only way to know for sure if your own treatment is covered is to research your policy. You may be pleasantly surprised at what’s included. And, in the case that acupuncture is not explicitly outlined as a covered service, you can take such as requesting to call you the insurance company for clearance.
Acupuncture can, and often is used in conjunction with western medical treatment. It does not negatively interfere with other forms of medicine but would add additional healing benefits. It is important to tell your practitioner what other forms of treatment you are receiving.
The needles used are hair thin and totally unlike the needles used for injections of medicine. Most people don’t even feel the insertion, and those who do, describe it as a kind of pressure. There is no need to be afraid of needles. If you are worried, however, mention this when you make your appointment, or at your first appointment so your practitioner can take it into account and make things easier for you
