Is acupuncture safe? Yes, we use disposable needles only.
1997 NIH Consensus Conference concludes: "One of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower that many drugs or other accepted medical procedures used for same conditions."
Does acupuncture hurt? Either no or slightly, if the practitioner is well trained. It bears no resemblance at all to getting an injection. By contrast, acupuncture needles are very fine and flexible, about the diameter of a human hair. In most cases there is no pain. Typical sensation is like a mosquito bite. A sense of warm or heaviness in the areas of insertion suggests healing response of the body. Most patients find the treatments very relaxing and sometimes doze off during the session.
What are the rates?
Consultation: $50 and up. Acupuncture: $65 and up.
Is it covered by insurance? Many insurance companies offer coverage on acupuncture. We carry CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield only and we handle the billing for the recipients. With other insurance, patients pay at each visit and then get reimbursed by insurance. For those, we do submit claim forms to insurance on request as a courtesy. Most time, herbs are considered as vitamins and, therefore, there is no insurance coverage usually.
