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Frequently Asked Questions
Is acupuncture safe?
Yes, when practiced by a licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture is a safe and effective
way to improve your health. All needles used are individually packaged, sterile,
and disposed of after a single use. Occasionally, bruising, reddening or a small amount of bleeding
may occur where the needle was; this is normal and should dissipate in a couple of days.
Licensed acupuncturists practice Universal Precautions and adhere to OSHA Safety Standards.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are very thin and they feel nothing like a hypodermic needle
doctors use for injections. The patient generally does not feel the needle being inserted,
but may feel a small pricking sensation. A mild dull ache or tingling sensation may be
felt once the needles are inserted. Most people feel very relaxed during their treatment,
and some will even fall asleep.
How many treatments are needed?
The number of treatments will vary according to the person and the condition being
treated. Generally, chronic conditions will take longer to treat than acute conditions.
After 2 to 4 treatments, your practitioner will be better able to determine how you
respond to acupuncture, and how many treatments you will need. Typically a course of
treatment is 12 to 15 treatments.
Does insurance cover acupuncture?
Some insurance companies do cover acupuncture and the list is growing as
acupuncture continues to rise in popularity. Currently, Balanced Wellness does not do direct
insurance billing and you will be expected to pay fully for your treatments.
We will gladly provide a statement of payment to submit for insurance reimbursement.
What kind of training should an acupuncturist have?
In Massachusetts, a licenesed acupuncturist must complete a three-year full-time Master’s Degree program with over 2200 didactic
and practical classroom hours and over 700 hours of internship training in Traditional
Chinese Medicine, as well as the successful completion of National Board Exams
administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
(NCCAOM).
