Despite acupuncture being around for thousands of years, many misconceptions and false statements are still circulating about the treatment. Acupuncture is a proven treatment that improves the lives of so many people by helping relieve symptoms of many conditions, such as chronic back pain and fibromyalgia, and alleviating emotional tension, such as stress and anxiety.
We're here to help put your mind at ease regarding the most common misconceptions and myths regarding acupuncture.
Myth 1: Acupuncture hurts
This is probably the most prominent misconception. It's easy to think that acupuncture would hurt since it involves needles. However, the needles used in acupuncture are much thinner (about 1/10 of the size of your typical draw-blood or injection needle) than the ones we typically see in hospitals for drawing blood, so even though you may feel a slight pinch at first, the sensation is nowhere near the same as when you have your blood drawn. In fact, after the needles are placed, some people feel so relaxed during their session that they fall asleep.
Myth 2: Acupuncture isn't proven or legitimate
Many people believe that acupuncture isn't a true form of treatment and that there aren't any studies to back up the benefits of acupuncture. However, several studies show how acupuncture can help improve many chronic conditions and is recommended by many healthcare providers. WHO (World Health Organization) lists over 40 conditions for which acupuncture has been proven beneficial
Myth 3: You don't have to be licensed to practice
This couldn't be further from the truth. A license to practice acupuncture is required, but there are certain credentials and education that you must have in each state. Dr. Aleksandra Mihajlovic, DTCM at Sasha Acupuncture, is a Licensed Acupuncturist in NJ & NY, in addition to several other accreditations, which she incorporates into her practice.
Myth 4: It can conflict with other treatments and medicine
When performed by a highly trained Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM), acupuncture is an extremely safe form of medicine that almost never interferes with other medical treatments. It is often complementary to many other forms of treatment, such as orthopedic medicine, gynecology, physical medicine, etc. Dr. Aleksandra often collaborates with other healthcare professionals to coordinate the best treatments for her patients. Our goal at Sasha Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine is to make each patient feel better so they can go back to living their life to its fullest.
Myth 5: Once you start, you can't stop
Every acupuncture treatment is different from person to person. We tailor the sessions entirely based on the patient's concerns, objectives, and what they are looking to treat. Some people may only require two or three sessions to see results. Others, perhaps with more underlying or advanced conditions, may need 10 or a few months. Acupuncture is a personalized journey we're here to help guide you on.
Please call our office today to discuss any other concerns when considering acupuncture. Dr. Aleksandra and the rest of our team are here to help put your mind at ease and start you on a path to full-body wellness and health.
