Acupuncture FAQ: A Licensed Acupuncturist Answers Your Top Questions

Hi! I'm a licensed acupuncturist in Augusta, NJ and these are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) I get asked in clinic that I wanted to share to help alleviate any fear or anxiety about trying acupuncture for the first time. It's safe, highly effective and a complete medicine. I'm super excited you are here to learn more about this ancient medicine!

How Does Acupuncture Work?

This is my favorite question, because there are actually two really interesting answers depending on how you want to look at it.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, acupuncture works by regulating the flow of Qi — your body's vital energy — through pathways called meridians. When that flow is disrupted or blocked, illness and pain can result. Needles are placed at specific points along these meridians to restore balance.

From a modern biomedical perspective, research shows that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, triggers the release of endorphins and other natural pain-relieving chemicals, reduces inflammation, and improves circulation to targeted areas.

Both frameworks are pointing at the same outcome — your body has an incredible capacity to heal itself, and acupuncture is essentially a tool to activate that.

Whichever lens resonates with you more, what matters most is that it works — and there's a growing body of research backing that up."

If you'd like to learn more, I dive deeper into specifics about how acupuncture works in a previous blog post.

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

People ask me all the time — does acupuncture hurt? Most people are surprised by how gentle it feels. You may feel pressure, heaviness, a muscle twitch, or a brief ache, but it shouldn’t feel sharp or overwhelming. And you’re always in control — we adjust everything to your comfort.

If fear of pain has been holding you back, know that most patients say, ‘That was way easier than I expected.’

Acupuncture FAQ: Is It Safe?

Safety is something I take really seriously, so I love when people ask this. Yes — the needles used in acupuncture are completely sterile, single-use, and disposable. They come individually packaged, I open them in front of you, and they go straight into a sharps container after your treatment. They are never reused. Ever.

Acupuncture is also regulated by the NCCAOM in the US, so your practitioner has undergone extensive training in both needle technique and safety protocols.

Side effects are generally very mild — occasional light bruising, minor soreness at needle sites, or sometimes a feeling of fatigue afterward as your body processes the treatment. Serious adverse events are extremely rare when you're seeing a qualified practitioner.

The main thing I'd say is — make sure whoever you're seeing is fully licensed and trained. Ask questions. A good practitioner will always welcome them.

What Can Acupuncture Treat?

More than most people realize, honestly. The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for over 100 conditions. Some of the most common things I see in clinic include chronic and acute pain — back pain, neck pain, headaches and migraines, joint issues. But also digestive problems, anxiety and stress, insomnia, fertility support, hormonal imbalances, and recovery from illness or injury.

It's also really popular as a preventative tool — people who come in regularly even when they're feeling well, just to stay on top of their health and keep their nervous system balanced.

That said, acupuncture works best as part of a broader healthcare picture. I always encourage my patients to keep working with their GP or other specialists — acupuncture complements conventional medicine really well, it's not a replacement for it.

If you're wondering whether it might help with something specific you're dealing with, I've written deeper dives on the most common conditions I treat – back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain, so you can see what treatment actually looks like for specific issues. As always contact me about your specific condition and I'd be happy to help answer your questions.

What Should I Wear?

Great question — and something worth thinking about before your first appointment.

Loose, comfortable clothing is your best bet. Think yoga pants, shorts, or clothes you can easily roll up to your knees and elbows. A lot of the points we commonly use are on the lower legs and forearms, so easy access there really helps.

You don't need to strip down — acupuncture isn't like a massage. We work around your clothing as much as possible, and if we do need to access a specific area, we use draping to keep you comfortable and covered.

Also — come fed. Not stuffed, but not on an empty stomach either. A light meal an hour or two before your appointment helps prevent lightheadedness.

And leave the tight jeans and compression leggings at home for the day. Future you will thank me.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

One of the most common questions I get is — how many sessions will this take? And honestly, it depends on what we're working with.

For acute conditions — things like a recent injury or something you’ve been dealing with for less than 3 months — I recommend 4-6 sessions. We catch it early, we work with your body's natural healing response, and many people feel significant relief quite quickly.

For chronic conditions — things that have been going on for more than 3 months or even years, like long-term pain, hormonal imbalances, or fertility issues — I recommend 10-12 sessions.

Acupuncture is a cumulative medicine, meaning each treatment builds on the next. Consistency early on makes a real difference.

Typically, my treatment plan is twice a week for the first two weeks. Then we reduce to weekly visits until your symptoms improve. Then we taper to once every 2 weeks as you continue to improve, and finally to a monthly maintenance schedule if needed.

Once you are feeling better, you can choose to stop entirely, continue with monthly maintenance visits, or we can shift focus to something else. You’re always in control of your care.

Everyone responds differently, so the best thing to do is come in for an initial treatment, and we'll build a plan that's right for you.

What Should I Expect At My First Appointment?

Your first appointment is the longest –typically between 60 and 90 minutes. That's because we spend a good chunk of time at the start going through your health history, your main concerns, your lifestyle, sleep, digestion, stress levels. I will check your tongue and pulse because that is used to help diagnose internal conditions. It's a really thorough intake, because in acupuncture we're treating the whole person, not just the symptom.

After the initial intake, you will have your first acupuncture session. I will needle the acupuncture points. If you condition calls for electrostimulation, I will attach electrostimulation to the needles. Then you will lie with the needles for 25-30 minutes. People find it very relaxing. Once your time is up, I come and take out the needles. If you have a musculoskeletal issue, I typically will do cupping or gua sha to finish the treament.

How Long Is A Session?

Your first appointment will usually be the longest — typically between 60 and 90 minutes.

After that, follow-up sessions are usually around 45 to 60 minutes. That includes a quick check-in on how you've been since your last visit, the treatment itself — where you'll be lying comfortably with the needles in for around 20 to 30 minutes — and then time to chat through anything that came up.

Most people find that rest time with the needles is genuinely one of the most relaxing parts of their week. Don't be surprised if you drift off — it happens all the time.

What to expect after the treatment?

How you look after yourself after a session can actually make a real difference to how well you respond to treatment, so this is worth knowing.

Drink plenty of water. Acupuncture gets things moving in your body and staying hydrated helps that process along.

Take it easy if you can. This isn't the day to schedule an intense workout or a really demanding work afternoon. Your body is doing a lot after a session even if you can't feel it — give it a chance to integrate the treatment.

Avoid alcohol for the rest of the day. Your system is more sensitive after acupuncture and alcohol can really interfere with that.

You might feel deeply relaxed, a little sleepy, or occasionally you might notice some symptoms briefly intensify before they improve — that's actually a really normal and positive sign that your body is responding.

And pay attention to how you feel over the next few days. Changes can be subtle at first — better sleep, a shift in your energy, reduced pain. Noticing these things helps us track your progress and adjust your treatment plan.

Do you accept insurance?

I do! I am an out of network insurance provider with Horizon BCBS, United Healthcare, and Aetna. Each plan is different so I check to see if your plan has out of network acupuncture benefits here. Once I check your benefits, I will email you with your insurance coverage and treatment plan information within 1-2 business days.

Ready to book an appointment?

I'd love to help you feel your best. Reach out for a free 15 minute consultation call. I'd be happy to discuss any other questions or concerns you have.

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