Acupuncture
About this test
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. A key component of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain. Increasingly, it is being used for overall wellness, including stress management.
Why it's done
Acupuncture is used mainly to relieve discomfort associated with a variety of diseases and conditions, including: Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Dental pain. Fibromyalgia. Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines. Labor pain. Lower back pain. Neck pain. Osteoarthritis. Menstrual cramps. Respiratory disorders, such as allergic rhinitis. Tennis elbow.
Risks and complications
The risks of acupuncture are low if you have a competent, certified acupuncture practitioner using sterile needles. Common side effects include soreness and minor bleeding or bruising where the needles were inserted. Single-use, disposable needles are now the practice standard, so the risk of infection is minimal. Not everyone is a good candidate for acupuncture. Before having acupuncture treatment, be sure to tell the practitioner if you: Have a pacemaker. Acupuncture that involves applying mild electrical pulses to the needles may potentially interfere with a pacemaker's operation. Are pregnant. Some acupuncture points are thought to stimulate labor, which could result in a premature delivery.
How to prepare
No special preparation is required before acupuncture treatment.
What to expect
Each person who performs acupuncture has a unique style, often blending aspects of Eastern and Western approaches to medicine. To determine the type of acupuncture treatment that will help you the most, your practitioner may ask you about your symptoms, behaviors and lifestyle. He or she may also closely examine: The parts of your body that are painful. The shape, coating and color of your tongue. The color of your face. The strength, rhythm and quality of the pulse in your wrist. An acupuncture session may take up to 60 minutes, although some appointments may be much shorter. A common treatment plan for a single complaint would typically involve one or two treatments a week. The number of treatments will depend on the condition being treated and its severity. In general, it's common to receive 6 to 8 treatments.
Understanding your results
The benefits of acupuncture are sometimes difficult to measure, but many people find it helpful as a means to control a variety of painful conditions. Acupuncture has few side effects, so it may be worth a try if you're having trouble controlling pain with more-conventional methods.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.