This is the first question most people ask me. Although needles are used in acupuncture, they are quite flexible and are the width of 2-3 strands of hair. They are not hollow and do not have a cutting edge like hypodermic needles. To give you a better idea, 30 acupuncture needles can fit into the hole of a hypodermic needle. Treatments are relatively pain-free for the majority of patients.
Yes. Licensed acupuncturists are required to be certified in Clean Needle Techniques and only use sterilized, individually packaged, disposable needles.
No. Every licensed, board certified acupuncturist is trained to prevent the transmission of diseases. Like in a hospital, acupuncturists use only disposable needles, which are used only once on patients and then discarded.
We recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing to receive acupuncture treatment. Try to arrive 5 or 10 minutes before your appointment to give yourself a chance to relax. Try to avoid the following:
Length, number and frequency of sessions vary. For most conditions, a series of several sessions is necessary to achieve the maximum benefit. After an initial consultation, the acupuncturist should provide you with a treatment plan that includes the techniques to be used, as well as the frequency and duration of treatment.
You can call your insurance company to find out if they cover acupuncture treatments and if a doctor’s referral is needed. I can provide an itemized receipt with diagnosis codes which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. The costs of acupuncture and herbal medicine are generally considered tax deductible as medical expenses. Acupuncture is also covered under many Flex Spending Plans. Please check with your Flex Plan administrator for specific coverage.
6580 Old Monroe Road Suite A
Indian Trail, NC 28079