Before considering acupuncture, talk to your doctor. Conditions that may benefit from acupuncture include the following:. Because scientific studies have not fully explained how acupuncture works within the framework of Western medicine, acupuncture remains a source of controversy.
It is important to take precautions when deciding about acupuncture. Discuss acupuncture with your doctor first. Discuss all the treatments and medicines dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter you are taking. If you have a pacemaker, are at risk for infection, have chronic skin problems, are pregnant, or have breast or other implants, be sure to tell your doctor.
Acupuncture may be risky to your health if you fail to mention these matters. Do not rely on a diagnosis of disease by an acupuncture practitioner. If you have received a diagnosis from a doctor, you may wish to ask him or her whether acupuncture might help.
Choose a licensed acupuncture practitioner. Your own doctor may be a good resource for referrals to a licensed or certified practitioner. Friends and family members may also be good sources of referrals. Sometimes the appropriate points are far removed from the area of your pain.
Your acupuncture practitioner will tell you the general site of the planned treatment and whether you need to remove any clothing. A gown, towel or sheet will be provided.
You lie on a padded table for the treatment, which involves:. Some people feel relaxed and others feel energized after an acupuncture treatment. But not everyone responds to acupuncture. If your symptoms don't begin to improve within a few weeks, acupuncture may not be right for you. 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. Several studies, however, indicate that some types of simulated acupuncture appear to work just as well as real acupuncture.
There's also evidence that acupuncture works best in people who expect it to work. Acupuncture has few side effects, so it may be worth a try if you're having trouble controlling pain with more-conventional methods. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. Acupuncture care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
This content does not have an English version. In , the World Health Organization WHO listed a number of conditions in which they say acupuncture has been proven effective. Other conditions for which the WHO say that acupuncture may help but more evidence is needed include :. The WHO also suggest that it may help treat a number of infections, including some urinary tract infections and epidemic hemorrhagic fever. The NCCIH advise people not to use acupuncture instead of seeing a conventional health care provider.
According to traditional Chinese medical theory, acupuncture points are located on meridians, through which vital energy runs. An acupuncturist will examine the patient and assess their condition, insert one or more thin, sterile needles, and offer advice on self-care or other complementary therapies, such as Chinese herbs. The patient will be asked to lie down on their back, front, or one side, depending on where the needles are to be inserted.
The acupuncturist should use single-use, disposable, sterile needles. As each needle is inserted, the patient may feel a very brief stinging or tingling sensation. After the needle is inserted, there is occasionally a dull ache at the base of the needle that then subsides. Acupuncture is usually relatively painless. Sometimes the needles are heated or stimulated with electricity after insertion. The needles will stay in place for between 5 and 30 minutes. The number of treatments needed depend on the individual.
A person with a chronic condition may need one to two treatments a week over several months. An acute problem normally improves after 8 to 12 sessions. Energy, called "qi" pronounced "chee" flows along specific pathways, called meridians, throughout the body. This constant flow of energy keeps the yin and yang forces balanced.
However, if the flow of energy gets blocked, like water getting stuck behind a dam, the disruption can lead to pain, lack of function, or illness. First, your acupuncturist will ask about your health history. Using these unique assessment tools, the acupuncturist will be able to recommend a proper treatment plan to address your particular condition. To begin the acupuncture treatment, you lay comfortably on a treatment table while precise acupoints are stimulated on various areas of your body.
Most people feel no or minimal discomfort as the fine needles are gently placed. The needles are usually retained between five and 30 minutes. During and after treatments, people report that they feel very relaxed. The frequency and number of treatments differ from person to person. Some people experience dramatic relief in the first treatment.
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