frequently asked questions
Q: Does acupuncture hurt?
Most people find acupuncture to be quite comfortable. The most commonly described sensation is a light pinch. Acupuncture needles are very thin and easily inserted with little or no discomfort.
Q: Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is extremely safe. Needles are FDA approved medical devices. They are sterile, single-use and disposable. In addition, your practitioner is certified in "Clean Needle Technique", the Western medical gold standard in needle safety. Acupuncture has no significant negative side effects. As a result it is a very safe and effective medicine.
Q: Is there scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of acupuncture?
In fact, acupuncture has been undergoing the longest human trials in the history of medicine - 5,000 years. During this period it has been the main system of medicine for over one third of the world's population. When a healing system has been around that long it has to be doing something right! However, in the last 10 years or so acupuncture has been the subject of numerous western style scientific studies. Most of them have shown acupuncture to be both safe and effective. As a result the National Institute of Health (NIH) wrote a position statement calling for acupuncture to be available to all Americans through their health networks and through State and Federal programs.
Q: Does insurance cover acupuncture?
Some insurance does cover acupuncture. If your insurance covers acupuncture "out of network" then ask your exhale acupuncturist for a "super bill" at time of treatment. You can submit this to your insurance company for direct reimbursement of a portion of your treatment charge.
Q: How can acupuncture help with weight loss, smoking and other addictions?
There is excellent work being done in the field of addiction recovery using acupuncture as part of a comprehensive treatment protocol. Addictions arise and continue as an individual's life energy becomes increasingly imbalanced... Restoring this healthy balance along with learning new behaviors is at the heart of the recovery process. This is true whether a person struggles with cigarettes, narcotics or ice cream. Recovery, like all healing, requires dedication, good support, inspiration and a vision of oneself without the addiction. Acupuncture treatment can support you in your quest to become free of the dependency; acupuncture will not cure your addiction. Your acupuncturist at exhale will partner with you in this process as one component of a comprehensive program.
