How Often Should You Schedule Acupuncture Treatments?

The practice of acupuncture originated in China about 3,000 years ago. It involves inserting paper thin needles through the skin at strategic points on the body to stimulate sensory nerves.

The main aim of the ancient Chinese technique is to correct energy imbalances and restore the body’s natural self-healing mechanism. Acupuncture is used to treat a number of health problems.

One of the most common questions patients ask their acupuncturists is how frequently they should schedule treatments. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.  How often you should see your acupuncturist depends on the nature of your ailment or condition, your constitution, and any number of factors specific to you.

If, for example, you were injured recently or are experiencing an acute-flare up of a condition that was previously in remission, you may need acute care and your acupuncturist may want to see you once or twice every week for the first two or four weeks.

During this period, your acupuncturist will track your progress. If you respond to treatment, your acupuncturist may recommend one session per week going ahead.

After your acupuncturist successfully treats your condition, maintenance or follow-up sessions are in order. Maintenance sessions can be scheduled once every month or every few months. The main aim of maintenance sessions is to monitor patient progress.

To determine how frequently patients need treatments, many acupuncturists progressively spread acupuncture sessions further and further. If symptoms begin to appear before the next session, they know sessions are being spread out too far.

Depending on your condition, it is also possible that the change of seasons might affect you. Certain environmental factors can affect your health and your acupuncturist may want to schedule extra sessions during certain seasons.

If, for example, you have asthma, you may need extra sessions during the pollen season. Similarly, people with migraine and those grappling with depression may need more treatments during winter as exposure to cold and dry air can exacerbate the symptoms of these health problems.

Notice how your body responds to therapy. Be clear and concise when discussing symptoms with your acupuncturist so they can accurately determine frequency of therapy. During the initial session, your acupuncturist may need you to fill out a questionnaire and describe your symptoms. Be as accurate and specific as possible when answering your acupuncturist’s questions. That information is gold!

Many people also wonder how many sessions they will need when beginning to see an acupuncturist. The number of acupuncture treatments required depends on the condition, its severity, and how your body responds to therapy. Many people may need a few sessions, while others may be required to stay in treatment for a few months.

Monarch Acupuncture & Wellness is a reputable acupuncture clinic near you. We use acupuncture to treat everything from acute pain to anxiety, depression, and including a specialty in fertility and women’s health. To book a session with one of our licensed and certified acupuncturists, click here.