What Happens During My Acupuncture Visit?

Prior to the initiation of acupuncture treatment, pertinent diagnostic studies must be completed. A specific pain history and examination will be performed at the time of the initial acupuncture visit. The patient is asked to disrobe and put on a patient gown in order to facilitate the examination and treatment.

• Sites selected for needle insertion will depend upon the nature of the complaint. A single site or multiple sites may be selected. These can be at the area of complaint, adjacent to it, or some distance away.

• For instance, single needle treatment at the primary site of pain is frequently effective for what is referred to as "Trigger Point" pain. Multiple needle treatment is more often used for pain associated with diffuse muscle spasm of the neck and lower back, for headache, and for facial pain. In these situations, acupuncture sites are selected at or adjacent to the area of complaint as well as at more distant sites. Acupuncture sites over the hand and arm are included for a stiff neck and headache. Acupuncture sites over the feet and lower leg are selected for low back pain. Another example is the common use of an acupuncture site over the lower leg for the treatment of shoulder stiffness and pain.

• Following needle insetion, the needle (or needles) is left in place for a variable period, ranging from less than a minute to twenty minutes. The length of time will depend on the nature of the problem and the responsiveness of the patient. Patient tolerance will also influence this determination. As previously mentioned, patients usually do not mind the presence of the needle following its initial insertion. Occasionally, a low voltage electric device very similar to the "TENS" unit, which many patients have previously used at home, is applied to the needle following insertion. This provides gentle non-irritating stimulation of the needle which is thought to enhance the acupuncture treatment. The usual treatment lasts from 15 to 20 minutes, following which most patients experience some degree of relief.
• Of the side effects to be discussed, relaxation is the most prequently commented upon immediately following acupuncture treatment. Emotional response (giddiness and depression), drowsiness or gradual return of pain usually do not occur immediately but should be monitored after leaving the office. These side effects are always of a temporary nature and should not cause undue alarm.
• On subsequent visits, selection of acupuncture sites will depend entirely on the response to previous treatment. Whereas the initial treatment may have been limited to a single site, multiple needles may be used in following treatments, or vice versa. However, it is the usual experience that fewer needles are required on subsequent visits. Similar considerations apply to determining the use of electric stimulation of the needles.

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