Acupuncture is a family of procedures involving the stimulation of specific points on the body using a variety of techniques, most commonly with sterile stainless steel needles. Our licensed acupuncturists at the Osher Center create personalized treatment plans that address your unique needs and promote overall well-being.
Part of your Integrative Health Plan
As part of an integrative health strategy, acupuncture leverages its time-tested principles from Traditional Chinese Medicine to address the root causes of health issues while enhancing overall well-being. Acupuncture works alongside other modalities such as mind-body counseling, physical therapy, therapeutic movement, and conventional medical care, or quite often can be used alone. By incorporating acupuncture, patients can achieve a comprehensive and balanced approach to their health, addressing both symptoms and underlying causes in a synergistic manner.
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Acupuncture can be a valuable tool for managing overall health & wellbeing by:
- Reducing pain: Studies show acupuncture activates pain modulating/inhibiting systems including activating endorphins, but many other pain modulating chemicals are involved (5-HT, dopamine, even certain hormones).
- Improving sleep: Acupuncture helps sleep through re-balancing the excitatory and inhibitory amino acids in the brain (two key chemicals control sleep and wake cycles), and regulating sleep phases (slow/rapid eye movement sleep), and more.
- Reducing stress: Acupuncture is shown to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering the stress related chemicals including cortisol and noradrenaline.
- Supporting the Immune System: Strengthens the immune system and may help prevent common illnesses.
- Reducing Inflammation: It helps decrease inflammation, which is often a contributing factor to chronic pain, thereby reducing discomfort and improving function.
- Improving overall well-being: Acupuncture can help improve overall quality of life by reducing pain and improving mood and energy levels.
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Studies show that acupuncture has been effectively used in over a hundred conditions. Common uses of acupuncture in the US include low back pain, depression and anxiety, headache, arthritis, pain, allergies, infertility, insomnia, neck pain, sciatica, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and more.
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Most of our patients find the experience highly relaxing and often fall asleep shortly after the needles are inserted. Acupuncture needles are much finer than those used for injections, so most people experience minimal discomfort. You might feel a little prick or sting/pinch when the needles are inserted, typically followed by a sensation of brief heaviness, soreness, tingling, or nothing at all. After the needles are placed, you will be left in the treatment room to rest.
Treatment rooms at the Osher Center are private. Lights can be turned off or dimed down while you rest. Blankets and pillows are provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.
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Some people begin to feel immediate relief after their first session. For lasting effects, most treatment courses require 6-8 weekly treatments before a lasting effect can be achieved.
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Our center will bill Medicare plans directly if the patient has a diagnosis of chronic low back pain. Medicare pays for 12-20 sessions per year.
If a patient does not meet this criterion, acupuncture is considered retail. We can supply a receipt and superbill for patients to submit for reimbursement.
For more information about billing at the Osher Center, please visit our Billing & Insurance FAQs page.