Northern Indiana Acupuncture Syracuse, IN  |  Fort Wayne, IN

Acupuncture FAQs

What does acupuncture feel like?

Many first-time patients are concerned that acupuncture needles will feel like hypodermic injections at the doctor’s office. They won't. Acupuncture uses hair-thin, flexible needles that you will hardly feel when inserted. The needles are sometimes stimulated (by gentle movement from Dr. Warner or with a TENS unit for electroacupuncture) so they may produce a unique sensation that Eastern medicine calls de qi. Patients often describe de qi as a heavy, achy pressure, tingling, or warm sensation, which are all positive responses to the acupuncture. The Western explanation is that it's your skin receptors picking up on the sensation of the needle, and that triggers a signal to the brain to increase blood flow and prompt an endorphin release.  Most patients find these acupuncture sensations deeply satisfying and leave the treatment feeling relaxed both mentally and physically. If the needle does happen to produce an "electric" sensation that doesn't go away after a few seconds, the needle will simply be removed.

How many treatments will I need?

The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, so more than one treatment is necessary. For most patients, Dr. Warner recommends 1-2 treatments the first week, and then one treatment per week for another 2-3 weeks, but you will usually begin to feel relief after just the first few sessions. However, chronic conditions may take longer to respond, depending on the type, severity, and duration of the condition. Preventative treatments and treatments for general well-being may also be scheduled on an as-needed basis.

Is acupuncture safe?

Yes. Acupuncture is used by millions of Americans every year. Licensed acupuncturists (LAcs) are required to undergo extensive education, including detailed study of human anatomy and training in Clean Needle Technique.  Dr. Warner has passed comprehensive national board examinations administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and is licensed by the state. As required by law, we use pre-sterilized, disposable, single-use needles to ensure your complete safety.

If you are interested in acupuncture but live too far away from our office, we recommend going to NCCAOM.org to find a licensed acupuncturist that is board certified for the best treatment.

What's the difference between an L.Ac and someone who is certified in acupuncture?

A Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc) has a Master's degree specifically in acupuncture and completely understands the levels of sophistication of Chinese Medicine. A licensed acupuncturist must have a minimum of 2700 hours of masters-level training with at least 650 hours of clinical training and a minimum of 250 patient treatments before graduation. We are required to pass the national certification examination in acupuncture and we must complete regular continuing education to maintain national certification.

Certain healthcare professionals in Indiana can become a Certified Acupuncturist with 200 hours of training. They have minimal clinical experience in acupuncture and often no actual patient treatments before certification. They are not required to complete the NCCAOM exam to prove competency in acupuncture, and they are not required to complete continuing education classes.