How long acupuncture to work

It's likely that these naturally released substances are responsible for the beneficial effects experienced with acupuncture. 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. Chronic issues that are not severe, once a week for weeks and then we will re-evaluate. Really long term chronic issues, once a week for ten weeks or twice a week for 5 weeks. PMS, endometriosis, menstrual cycle related issues: weekly until you have a cycle that is OK, then every other week until 2 OK cycles, then once a month in the week before the problem week.

Chronic stress: once a week until the stress subsides, meaning the evil boss quits, the sick kids get better, or you find different ways to cope. Chronic conditions with very poor prognosis, we recommend weekly indefinitely. 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. Rochester, Minn. Riggin EA. Some studies even suggest that acupuncture can help with cancer treatment and multiple sclerosis , however research for these conditions is limited and requires larger studies to confirm the benefits. Be sure to see a licensed acupuncturist they should have LAc after their name. Some certification requirements slightly differ by state however: for example, California has its own licensing exam. You can also look online for certified acupuncturists in your area.

The cost of an acupuncture session depends on where you live and on whether or not the practitioner takes your insurance.

You should never try acupuncture on your own. Pressing these points is known as acupressure. Lisa Chan , LAc and certified reflexologist, provided some insight as to which points on your body you can massage on your own. Pressing this point, located on the muscle between your thumb and index finger, is meant to help alleviate headaches, toothaches, stress, and facial and neck pain.

In that case, it could help induce contractions. A professional can demonstrate where and how to apply pressure properly. But while it may not eliminate your symptoms, it could still ease them. So it may be worth a try, especially when it comes to chronic pain. Danielle Sinay is a writer, musician, and educator living in Brooklyn, New York.