Who is acupuncture suitable for

For instance, some people feel energised, while others feel sleepy. Occasionally, the symptoms get a little worse before they improve.

The number of treatments you need depends on your condition. In most cases, people experience a reduction in symptoms within a few sessions. The idea of acupuncture is to restore the natural balance of energy inside your body.

Once the balance is restored, the body can take care of itself and no further treatments are necessary. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Ayurveda is an ancient healing system from India that uses a range of techniques to treat illness and encourage wellbeing. The principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine are very different from traditional Western notions about health, illness and the workings of the body.

Chiropractic treatment can be clinically effective for many problems of the skeleton and muscles, such as back pain and headache. Complementary therapies aim to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms of disease. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.

Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.

All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Skip to main content. Complementary and alternative care. Home Complementary and alternative care. Actions for this page Listen Print. 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.

You do not have to be a doctor to practice acupuncture or to become a certified acupuncturist. About 30 states have established training standards for certification in acupuncture, although not all states require acupuncturists to get a license to practice. Although not all certified acupuncturists are doctors, the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture can provide a referral list of doctors who practice acupuncture.

Consider costs and insurance coverage. Before starting treatment, ask the acupuncturist about the number of treatments needed and how much the treatments will cost. Some insurers cover the cost of acupuncture while others do not. It is important to know before you start treatment whether acupuncture is covered by your insurance. Health Home Wellness and Prevention.

Studies have shown that acupuncture is effective for a variety of conditions. What does acupuncture feel like? Instead of needles, other forms of stimulation are sometimes used over the acupuncture points, including: Heat moxibustion Pressure acupressure Friction Suction cupping Impulses of electromagnetic energy How does acupuncture affect the body? National Institutes of Health NIH studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies to treat the following: Nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy Dental pain after surgery Addiction Headaches Menstrual cramps Tennis elbow Fibromyalgia Myofascial pain Osteoarthritis Low back pain Carpal tunnel syndrome Asthma It may also help with stroke rehabilitation.

What conditions may benefit from acupuncture? Gastritis Irritable bowel syndrome Hepatitis Hemorrhoids. You may feel a tingling or a dull ache when the needles are inserted but you should not experience any significant pain. If you do, let your practitioner know straight away.

If you choose to have acupuncture, it is recommended that you check the acupuncture practitioner is either a regulated healthcare professional such as a doctor, nurse or physiotherapist or a member of a national acupuncture organisation. You can find an accredited register of acupuncture practitioners on the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care website.

When it's done by a qualified practitioner, acupuncture is generally very safe. Rarely, some people experience mild, short-term side effects such as:. If you have a bleeding disorder, such as haemophilia , or are taking anticoagulants , talk to your GP before you have acupuncture.

Acupuncture is also not usually advised if you have a metal allergy or an infection in the area where needles may be inserted. It's generally safe to have acupuncture when you're pregnant. However, let your acupuncture practitioner know if you're pregnant because certain acupuncture points cannot be used safely during pregnancy.

Read more about the safety of complementary therapies in pregnancy. Page last reviewed: 13 August Next review due: 13 August How acupuncture works Western medical acupuncture is the use of acupuncture following a medical diagnosis. Uses of acupuncture Acupuncture practitioners — sometimes called acupuncturists — use acupuncture to treat a wide range of health conditions. Currently, NICE only recommends considering acupuncture as a treatment option for: chronic long-term pain chronic tension-type headaches migraines Acupuncture is also often used to treat other musculoskeletal conditions of the bones and muscles and pain conditions, including: joint pain dental pain postoperative pain However, the evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture compared with other treatments is unclear.

How acupuncture is performed An initial acupuncture session usually lasts 20 minutes to 1 hour and involves an assessment of your general health, medical history and a physical examination, followed by insertion of the acupuncture needles.