Acu “needle” puncture. A particular type of treatment based upon the principles of Eastern medicine. The philosophy is rooted upon the idea that everything needs to be in balance. When the body is out of balance, disease/sickness occurs. The body’s life force, also known as qi or energy, regulates your health. Disease occurs from an impedance ie imbalance of qi in your body. By stimulating different points in the body, this redirects the qi thereby maintaining balance and health is restored.
Acupuncture points are located all over the body from head to toe. Please keep this in mind as needles may be placed in areas that may appear unrelated or even far from where your pain is physically located.
Frequency:
This is typically repeated in 1-2 weeks for several sessions depending how long you have been experiencing your symptoms.
Anesthetic:
None
Indications:
This procedure can be utilized to treat any type of problem from acute to chronic pain all the way to depression and weight loss so the indications for the use of acupuncture are broad and diverse. Here at VIPSC, our primary reason to utilize acupuncture will be to treat your pain.
Unfortunately, insurances do not cover this treatment. Therefore, this is an out of pocket expense. If you have a documented current work-related injury, however, acupuncture therapy may be covered. Please discuss this with your case manager as a potential treatment option to help control your pain without the use of medications.
Contraindications/Reasons why you may not have your procedure today:
- Bleeding disorders/low platelet counts
- Medications that thin your blood (please review this section)
- Current infection
- Your symptoms have changed and/or improved
- Patient refusal
- Poorly controlled high blood pressure that may be giving you symptoms
- Allergies to the any of the medications that is being used
Potential side effects/risks of the procedure:
- Increased pain
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Allergic reaction to medications used to clean your skin
- Seizures
- Puncture of the lung if done around the chest or back region
Preprocedure Recommendations:
On the day of the procedure, please do not engage in any strenuous activity. In addition, you should not have a large meal within several hours of the session. In general, please avoid anything that may stress your body in any way.
Procedure:
The locations of the acupuncture points will be identified and marked. After your skin is cleaned with alcohol swabs, a very tiny needle is inserted very superficially just beneath your skin at each of the designated points. You may experience increased pressure/pain during the placement of the needles which is normal. However, if at any time the pain is too intense, please notify your provider. The needles are typically left in place for at least 15 minutes then are subsequently removed. At times, you may receive electrical stimulation through the needles. This will be left to the discretion of your treating provider.
Typical length of the procedure: 25 minutes. Expect to be at the clinic at least 45 minutes after you have been checked in by the medical assistant into the preoperative area. If this is your first time at our clinic, you will likely be at the clinic for at least one hour. Please plan accordingly.
How long do you expect pain relief:
It is difficult to determine how long and how much pain relief you may experience. It varies depending on multiple factors. Some patients do not gain any relief from the procedure and some may have permanent pain relief.
