How many acupuncture sessions should i have

In my experience, acupuncture is needed at least once a week in the corrective stage. This keeps the momentum going forward as the sessions build on each other. To speed things up, you can come multiple times a week. This can be a beneficial way to make a stronger impact on the problem at the start of treatment course. Maintenance phase — this can be done every 1 to 3 months to keep the body from slipping back into the previous negative habits and to pre-empt a return of the problem. Wednesday, June 21, A course of acupuncture usually creates longer lasting pain relief than when a single treatment is used.

Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or "life force", flows through the body in channels called meridians. This life force is known as Qi pronounced "chee".

Practitioners who use acupuncture in the traditional way believe that when Qi does not flow freely through the body, this can cause illness. They also believe acupuncture can restore the flow of Qi, and so restore health. Acupuncture practitioners — sometimes called acupuncturists — use acupuncture to treat a wide range of health conditions. However, the use of acupuncture is not always based on rigorous scientific evidence. Currently, NICE only recommends considering acupuncture as a treatment option for:.

Acupuncture is also often used to treat other musculoskeletal conditions of the bones and muscles and pain conditions, including:. However, the evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture compared with other treatments is unclear. Acupuncture is sometimes available on the NHS, most often from GP surgeries or physiotherapists, although access is limited.

Most acupuncture patients pay for private treatment. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. Acupuncture care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Ear acupuncture Open pop-up dialog box Close. Ear acupuncture Ear acupuncture involves placing acupuncture needles into specific points around the ear. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Acupuncture treatment During an acupuncture treatment, your acupuncturist inserts very thin needles into specific spots on your body. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Acupuncture: In Depth.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Accessed Nov. Natural Medicines. Ahn AC. Acupuncturists sometimes perform other types of treatment to complement acupuncture. These include acupressure , cupping and massage. The American Institute of Alternative Medicine offers educational programs in acupuncture, as well as massage and nursing.

Schedule Now. At AIAM, we are here to help you build your future. Feel free to contact us with any program questions you may have. What are you waiting for?! It Usually Requires Multiple Sessions While acupuncture is an effective form of pain relief, it usually takes more than one treatment to provide long-term results. Loose Clothing is Recommended Wearing loose clothes makes it easier for acupuncturists to get to targeted areas without having you remove any clothing.