How many acupuncture sessions will I need for pain relief?

None of us are exactly the same, so each of us has a slightly different answer

Some people are the exception to the rule and can get one acupuncture treatment and their pain is gone, for good! But for the vast majority of people, pain relief is a more gradual process, so let's get into the nitty-gritty.

None of us are exactly the same, but we all deserve an active life free from pain

No matter what health issue you want to address with acupuncture, the more self-care you're able to do at home, the fewer sessions you'll need before you feel better!

Here are some guidelines

If your pain started recently, treatment generally requires 2-6 treatments until it feels significantly better to fully better but depending on your overall health and the severity of your injury or pain, it can take longer.

If your pain has been going on for longer than 3 months and has been pretty consistent, treatment generally takes 6-10 treatments to reach a point where your pain is significantly reduced. But for chronic pain to be fully resolved, it generally takes treatments 1-2 times/week for several months, depending on the severity of your injury, how complicated your overall health is, and how long you've had your pain.

Sometimes people feel disappointed when their pain doesn't go away quickly or relief is short-term after the first few treatments. This is because you can still have pain or other symptoms when your body is going through a healing process. If your physician diagnosed you with strep throat you wouldn't stop taking your antibiotics after a dose or two, that wouldn't be enough treatment to fully eliminate the bacteria. Acupuncture is incredibly powerful and safe medicine, but it is not magic. It takes time to fully heal.

For my patients here in Durham, I provide self-care suggestions that can include stretches, exercises, supplements, herbal formulas, topical treatments or other options. The more active you want to be and are able to be in your healing process, the less frequently you will need the support of acupuncture.

To keep your pain from returning and to stay at your peak health, I recommend maintenance treatments for all my patients. The most common frequency for maintenance is once a month.

If you’re struggling with pain and need a little additional support now, call (919) 813-0103

or click the green button at the top of the page to book an appointment and put an end to your pain!