Acupuncture

What can acupuncture do for me?

In our office, we most often use acupuncture for the treatment of acute pain and chronic pain. In addition the following issues often can be relieved: headaches, vertigo (dizziness), nausea, fatigue, anxiety, stomach/GI disorders, and kidney/bladder disorders.

Does insurance pay for acupuncture?

At this time most acupuncture treatments will be self pay.

Medicare does not pay for acupuncture but Medicaid may depending on the policy type.

How much does it cost if my insurance doesn’t pay for it?

Call the office for information specific to your needs.

Who does acupuncture at your office and what is the practitioner’s experience?

Dr. Jen and Dr. Laurie treat patients using acupuncture.

They are registered with the State of Minnesota through the MN Board of Chiropractic Examiners

How does acupuncture work or get results?

Acupuncture has both bio-electrical and bio-chemical properties which have been widely researched over the past several decades. Acupuncture points and channels DO NOT correlate with other anatomical structures of the body (for example, nerves, bones, or muscles) but rather form a separate system of the body, which can be mapped out using simple electrical devices.

Treatment of an acu-point results in a change (bio-electrical and bio-chemical) in the acupuncture channel as well as the entire acupuncture system which results in balance of the acu-system.

A recent study showed that acupuncture treatment also affects changes in the brain centers where pain is perceived.

Does it hurt?

Acupuncture rarely hurts, although some acu-points might be tender or sensitive before, during, or after the treatment. We use fine acupuncture needles that are very sharp compared to hypodermic or blood drawing needles. If a patient has a definite aversion to needles, the acu-points can be treated using cold laser, pressure, or a microcurrent device.

How do I get started?

Call our office (763-208-5382) to set up an appointment with Dr. Jen and Dr. Laurie.

The scheduling staff will ask questions to assess the type of appointment that fits best with your needs.

You may be asked to fill out a form prior to scheduling an appointment so we can determine the length and type of appointment to schedule.

What will happen at the appointment?

The practitioner will ask questions to determine the placement of the needles.

The needles will be gently inserted into the locations of the body that correspond to where you are experiencing pain or other symptoms that you want alleviated. You may be sitting up, lying face down, or lying face up during this procedure.

After 10 to 15 minutes the doctor will test the needles to see if it is time to remove them. If the testing indicates you need a longer time, we will give you an additional 3 to 5 minutes.

The needles are removed gently and disposed of in a special container.

What is the history of acupuncture?

Acupuncture (sometimes called Meridian Therapy) is a technique devised in China before 2500BC in which very sharp needles are inserted into the skin and underlying tissues. The needles are inserted at precise points along 12 meridians (pathways) in the body, through which the “vital life force” (qi) is believed to flow, in order to restore balance (yin-yang) and treat disease caused by imbalance.

The earliest known written account of acupuncture is the Chinese document, “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine,” which has been dated at about 2500BC. The procedure appears to have spread from China along the spice trade routes into Japan and India.

Western interest in acupuncture was increased when President Nixon’s trip to China was widely televised with features showing acupuncture being used to treat various conditions and being used as anesthesia during surgical procedures.

Since 1970 acupuncture has become more accepted in the West and has undergone extensive research regarding its effectiveness.