Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect?
The initial visit consists of a comprehensive health history intake and evaluation followed by acupuncture and possibly other adjunctive techniques or an individualized Chinese herbal formula. A course of acupuncture is typically 4-20 sessions. Depending on the severity and the condition being treated, the practitioner may have you come in weekly, or more frequently. Your practitioner will talk to you about your treatment plan and explain her suggestions for treatments going forward. Benefits are often felt immediately after the first treatment and acupuncture builds on itself as it returns the body to a state of health. Treatment is continued until the symptoms begin to go away for longer periods of time. Then treatment is spread out until you no longer need to come back. This is the typical timetable for natural healing and which demonstrates how acupuncture helps the body to heal itself, not simply cover up symptoms.
Do the needles hurt?
Acupuncture needles are FDA approved, as thin as a human hair, sterile, and are one-time use. Most insertions are found to be completely painless. Sometimes there is a mild sensation that only lasts a brief moment. Many patients are surprised to find treatments to be very pleasurable, often bringing them into deep state of relaxation.
What is the training of a nationally board-certified / Licensed Acupuncturist?
There are 3 categories of health care professional that can perform acupuncture. The specialist is called a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac). They attend accredited graduate level colleges studying Traditional Chinese Medicine and earning a Master of Science degree. Then they must pass National Certification exams and be granted licensure by state medical boards. Their training includes over 3,000 hours of in-class and clinical training specializing in acupuncture. Medical doctors and Chiropractors may also practice acupuncture, but their training is typically from introductory courses offering only 200 hours of training or less. Therefore, it is our recommendation that NCCAOM certified (National Certification Committee for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) practitioners be utilized whenever possible due to their extensive training and specialization in acupuncture technique and knowledge.
The initial visit consists of a comprehensive health history intake and evaluation followed by acupuncture and possibly other adjunctive techniques or an individualized Chinese herbal formula. A course of acupuncture is typically 4-20 sessions. Depending on the severity and the condition being treated, the practitioner may have you come in weekly, or more frequently. Your practitioner will talk to you about your treatment plan and explain her suggestions for treatments going forward. Benefits are often felt immediately after the first treatment and acupuncture builds on itself as it returns the body to a state of health. Treatment is continued until the symptoms begin to go away for longer periods of time. Then treatment is spread out until you no longer need to come back. This is the typical timetable for natural healing and which demonstrates how acupuncture helps the body to heal itself, not simply cover up symptoms.
Do the needles hurt?
Acupuncture needles are FDA approved, as thin as a human hair, sterile, and are one-time use. Most insertions are found to be completely painless. Sometimes there is a mild sensation that only lasts a brief moment. Many patients are surprised to find treatments to be very pleasurable, often bringing them into deep state of relaxation.
What is the training of a nationally board-certified / Licensed Acupuncturist?
There are 3 categories of health care professional that can perform acupuncture. The specialist is called a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac). They attend accredited graduate level colleges studying Traditional Chinese Medicine and earning a Master of Science degree. Then they must pass National Certification exams and be granted licensure by state medical boards. Their training includes over 3,000 hours of in-class and clinical training specializing in acupuncture. Medical doctors and Chiropractors may also practice acupuncture, but their training is typically from introductory courses offering only 200 hours of training or less. Therefore, it is our recommendation that NCCAOM certified (National Certification Committee for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) practitioners be utilized whenever possible due to their extensive training and specialization in acupuncture technique and knowledge.
561 W. Diversey Parkway, Suite 214, Chicago, IL 60614 | Inner Compass Acupuncture & Integrative Health | 773.270.3714
