ALLIGOOD MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE PLLC

The main difference is that traditional acupuncture in the US is administered by licensed acupuncturists (L Ac) who are trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, whereas medical acupuncture is delivered by licensed physicians (MD or DO) who have also obtained training in acupuncture. As physicians trained in the neuroanatomy of modern Western medicine, medical acupuncturists are able to safely deliver needle treatments (particularly for pain relief) that are based on neuroanatomy, in addition to those treatments based on traditional acupuncture points/meridians.

Medical acupuncture can be used to help with physical pain from orthopedic issues (such as arthritis, pain after a fracture, or musculoskeletal pain), certain neurologic symptoms (such as neuropathy, spasticity, and nerve pain of shingles), and also conditions of the internal organs (such as irritable bowel syndrome, respiratory illnesses, or chronic pelvic pain). It can also help with emotional symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD – particularly used in conjunction with other treatments such as medication and counseling. It can be used to enhance sleep quality and to help manage the physical and mental symptoms of stress and life transitions such as menopause and grief. It can be an additional tool in addressing substance (nicotine or drugs) use/abuse. It can be used to help bolster the immune system function – either in patients with frequent infections or as a boost before travel or with season change.

Yes, medical acupuncture is safe. The needles are very thin, solid, sterile and single-use. Potential side effects are rare, but include minor discomfort, bruising, or slight bleeding.

While medical acupuncture can sometimes function as a stand-alone treatment, I feel it is best used as an adjunct or complement to Western medicine. It may enhance the completeness of response to a Western treatment, address symptoms that did not respond to a standard Western treatment, or help cope with side effects generated by necessary Western medicine treatments.

The time to clinical response depends on the individual, the type of issue being treated, and how severe or long-standing the issue is. But in general, within 3-4 sessions we should see enough improvement to feel that we are on the right path. If no significant improvement is seen within 6 treatments, I would recommend discontinuing the acupuncture and seeking other care.

Frequency of treatment is decided based on the type and severity of the issue being addressed. Typically, treatment once a week for the first 3-6 treatments is recommended. For management of chronic conditions, treatment frequency may start weekly and then space out to every several weeks or months as the problem improves.

It is good to have a small meal or snack a few hours prior to your treatment. Wearing layers of clothing with shorts or loose-legged pants can make accessing treatment points easier. After the treatment, plan to take it easy – it is recommended to avoid vigorous exercise, heavy meals, and alcohol for the rest of the day. It is also important to maintain good hydration after a treatment.

I do not accept insurance because acupuncture often treats conditions that do not fit neatly into the diagnosis codes that insurance mandates. But acupuncture is a treatment that is covered by HSAs (Health Savings Accounts) and I can provide a receipt that you can submit to your HSA.