Acupuncture is a timeless medical treatment that originated in China and has been practiced for thousands of years. But despite its many health benefits, the image of needles may keep some people from trying it.
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In recent years, acupuncture has become increasingly popular among health care professionals as a viable treatment to help treat a variety of conditions, including chronic back pain, headaches, and post-chemotherapy nausea.
“Acupuncture is ancient, but it’s an ancient medicine that has applications in modern medicine,” says licensed acupuncturist Megan Scott LAc. She says acupuncture has stood the test of time as one of the therapeutic tools that can improve quality of life.
“There are a lot of misconceptions about acupuncture, but the truth is this practice has been around for over 3,500 years and has brought relief to people all over the world,” says Scott.
Here are some of the most common misconceptions about acupuncture:
Myth 1: Acupuncture hurts. After all, needle
The thought of being stuck with several needles at once might send shivers down your spine. It’s a common reaction. But it doesn’t have to be. Acupuncture uses very thin needles, about the size of a cat’s whiskers, so there’s minimal discomfort.
You may feel a tingling sensation at first, which some have likened to a mosquito bite. Scott shares how one first-time acupuncture patient described it on his TV show: “Sometimes it felt like the baby was pinching me, but it didn’t hurt at all.”
The discomfort will go away on its own or ease as your acupuncturist adjusts the needles. “Some people need a lighter touch, so the needle size can always be adjusted.”
But, says Scott, “our goal is to make treatment as comfortable as possible.”
“The patient gets into a comfortable position on the examination table and then the needle is inserted,” Scott says. “Most of the time, the patient doesn’t even know the needle is there.
She says many of her patients are amazed that they can rest or even sleep with the needle still in them.
Myth 2: Acupuncture is an ancient folk remedy and is not recommended by legitimate medical professionals.
Acupuncture is certainly ancient. However, it is a recommended treatment by many medical organizations. Even the U.S. military uses acupuncture. Numerous clinical research trials are being conducted on acupuncture. Both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recognize acupuncture as an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions.
“Many doctors are now recommending acupuncture to their patients,” Scott said, adding that insurance now covers acupuncture for a variety of purposes.
Acupuncture is used by a wide range of patient populations, from the very young to the very old, and Scott says geriatric and elderly patients choose acupuncture because they are looking for a less risky treatment than traditional pain management methods.
Myth 3: Acupuncture can conflict with medications, physical therapy, and other medical procedures
“Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with almost any conventional treatment, with a few exceptions,” says Scott. “Your acupuncturist will evaluate your treatment journey to ensure acupuncture can work synergistically and complement other treatments to support improved overall health,” she adds.
However, caution is advised if you are taking blood-thinning medication.
“If a patient is taking blood-thinning medication, we use a smaller needle, and there may be a slightly increased risk of bruising or bleeding,” she explains.
Myth #4: Acupuncture is only effective for treating pain
It’s true that acupuncture can help relieve pain, but it’s also used to treat a wide range of other health problems, including:
- Knee pain.
- Back pain.
- headache.
- Stomachache.
- Menstrual pain.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Side effects of chemotherapy.
- Morning sickness.
- High blood pressure.
- allergy.
- depression.
- infertility.
Myth 5: Acupuncture has many side effects and requires time off work
Acupuncture has few or no side effects.
“After an acupuncture session, you can usually go about your day without any restrictions,” says Scott.
Myth #6: Once you start acupuncture, you’ll need it forever
Responses to acupuncture are always individual. Some people with acute, mild symptoms respond quickly to one, two, or even three treatments. Others may need eight to ten treatments before seeing noticeable improvement. The effects of acupuncture are cumulative and increase with each treatment.
But Scott is clear: “People think of acupuncture as a one-stop shop, but for the vast majority of conditions we see, that’s not the case. Acupuncture is a process, not a single treatment.”
Scott further explains, “Once we’ve achieved our goal of symptom resolution or management, treatment can be discontinued. Our goal is always for you to be as independent as possible from treatment while enjoying lasting benefits. Some people may not need follow-up, while those with chronic conditions may need follow-up every few weeks or even monthly.”
Myth #7: You Need a Doctor’s Referral or Prescription for Acupuncture
Scott said most patients don’t need a doctor’s referral, “but many learn about acupuncture from their doctor.” Sometimes patients find acupuncture through word of mouth, he said.
Guidelines vary by state. For example, in Ohio, acupuncture doesn’t require a doctor’s referral or prescription, but a doctor must perform diagnostic tests for any conditions you plan to treat. It’s important to find a qualified, licensed acupuncturist before starting treatment.
