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Health knowledge made personal
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Health knowledge made personal
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I just wish I could get my insurance to cover it. I want to start getting acupuncture but have hesitated because of the cost. The silly thing is that insurance will pay for lidocaine injections weekly (and botox every three months into muscles which won't stop cramping), but not acupuncture (which has got to be cheaper than drugs). Sigh. I have contacted the clinic to see what my out of pocket charge will be as I would much rather do without the drugs.
About acupuncture hurting: all needles are not the same, and all needling techniques are not the same. Generally, acupuncture needles produce a lot less sensation than getting a shot - for several reasons: the needles are smaller, they are solid vs. hollow, they don't have a cutting edge, and you are not injecting anything.
There is also a broad range of acupuncture needles. Not only is there a range of thicknesses, but there can be a big difference in quality, which relates to how sharp the needles are on a microscopic level, which in turn relates to how much sensation they produce. Some needles are even silicone coated, and really do slide in better.
Technique also comes into play. Even given equally skilled practitioners, some styles are more aggressive than others, and a stronger sensation may be actively sought after. Still the desired sensations are in such categories as heavy, or full, or warm. A sharp, stinging sensation usually means the needle is hitting a little blood vessel or hair follicle and is easily adjusted to a comfortable position.
Neither are ll points are not created equal. While most acupuncture points are near a neural or vascular plexus, some are just plain more sensitive than others and are more likely to produce a stronger sensation.
And one more "point." Patients are different. Pain sensitivity varies hugely between people. I've seen patients who were sensitive to the tiniest needles and gentlest techniques. I've seen others with whom I might have used an ice pick without their noticing. Also, any given person may be more sensitive on one day than another.
In the end, most people are pleasantly surprised how comfortable and relaxing an acupuncture treatment is.
More and more insurance companies are including coverage for acupuncture. If you can't change your plan, you can at least tell your company that you want acupuncture covered and let them know if your experience has shown it to be a cost effective treatment. It is a competetive business after all, and insurance companies eventually respond to customer demand and money-saving results. Also, most FLEX plans and Health Savings Accounts will reimburse for acupuncture, since it is permitted by federal rules. Unfortunately, Medicare/Medicaid does not yet cover acupuncture, but some supplemental plans do.
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What to Expect From Your First Acupuncture Session
Posted by Stephanie B.
The first time I went to see an acupuncturist, I was actually quite scared. There you are, on the table, suddenly realizing that you have paid this person to stick needles into you! Will it hurt? Is this a wise idea? (And, if you live in California, what am I going to do if I am stuck on the table with a bunch of needles poking into me when a major earthquake hits?) Well, I'm not going to lie to you. Getting needles poked into you is not entirely painless, even if they are thin acupuncture needles. Usually, the feeling is a quick sharp jab. You get used to it pretty quickly. Sometimes you'll find that a certain acupuncture point is particularly sensitive. Usually, this means that you have a lot of blocked chi in the area, and the sensitivity will go away after the needle has been in for a few minutes. You should get used to the sensation of acupuncture needles fairly quickly, and you'll find that once they have "settled" that you feel quite calm and serene as the energy flow shifts. If you are afraid of needles, however, my recommendation is to try needle-less acupressure instead.