Acupuncture

Acupuncture is commonly used to treat pain, but may effectively support many diseases, disorders, and pain conditions.

How it Works

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves the stimulation of specific points on the body, typically utilizing very thin sterilized needles, inserted through the skin.

Studies suggest that acupuncture stimulation triggers the release of the body’s own supply of natural painkillers affecting specific regions of the brain involved in producing pain.1 There are an increasing number of studies examining all aspects of acupuncture, not only those associated with the mechanism of pain. 

1. Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/traditional-chinese-medicine-what-you-need-to-know

Treatment

Acupuncture May Help

  • Chronic Pain Conditions: Lessening pain from an injury, low back pain, or degenerative diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis2
  • Emotional Issues: Supporting patients with anxiety, depression, and addictions2
  • Digestive Conditions: Reducing nausea from chemotherapy, vomiting, and irritable bowel syndrome2
  • Neurological Problems: Managing symptoms of migraines, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke2
  • Other Chronic Conditions: Reducing fatigue, fibromyalgia symptoms, respiratory conditions, and smoking cessation2
  • Non-Opioid Alternative: Medicare now requires health plans to cover acupuncture for patients with chronic low-back pain – part of the national initiative to manage the opioid epidemic.3

2. Hempel, S., Taylor, S. L., Solloway, M., Miake-Lye, I. M., Beroes, J. M., Shanman, R., Booth, M. J., Siroka, A. M., Shekelle, P. G. Evidence Map of Acupuncture. VA-ESP Project #05-226; 2013
3. Acupuncture. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/acupuncture

Acupuncture services support alternative solutions to managing pain and may reduce the need for the prescription of opioids.