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Step 1
Find a licensed acupuncturist. For acupuncture to be safe and effective in pain relief, it's important to use a qualified practitioner. Check with your physician for possible acupuncturists or check with the National Center for Complementary Medicine or NCCAM.
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Step 2
Know that many traditional doctors refer patients to acupuncture to help relieve and manage pain. They don't rely on acupuncture as a cure, but more of a complementary addition to traditional health care.
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Step 3
When getting acupuncture for the first time, the practitioner will ask you a series of questions about your health and lifestyle. This includes any medications. This is especially important as acupuncture may not be for you if you are taking blood thinners.
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Step 4
Find out how many treatments you will get and if your insurance covers the cost. Most acupuncturists recommend a series of acupuncture treatments and with chronic pain, they may recommend indefinite treatment. Many insurance companies allow for a certain amount of acupuncture treatments in a 1 year period. Be sure to contact your insurance company to verify how many treatments you're allowed.
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Step 5
Prepare for your acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture involves anywhere from a few to a dozen or more small needles being placed in the skin. Most people experience a slight stinging sensation during the procedure, but feel more relaxed as the sessions continues. A traditional session usually lasts between 10 to 30 minutes.
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Step 6
Understand that the effectiveness of acupuncture depends on the severity of your pain symptoms or condition and how many treatments are involved. Many people feel more relaxed and notice a lessening of pain after just one treatment.
