06/10/2026
We're less than a week away from offering Medicare-covered acupuncture for qualifying patients with chronic lower back pain, and we thought now would be the perfect time to answer a question we hear all the time:
"What exactly is acupuncture?"
While it may feel like a newer treatment option in the United States, acupuncture has actually been practiced for thousands of years. Over time, it has helped millions of people manage pain, recover from injuries, reduce stress, improve sleep, and support their overall health and well-being.
What makes acupuncture unique is that it doesn't simply cover up symptoms. Instead, it encourages your body's own healing mechanisms to work more efficiently. Think of it as giving your body a gentle nudge in the right direction when it's been stuck dealing with pain, tension, inflammation, or stress for far too long.
Many patients initially come seeking relief from back pain, neck pain, headaches, or joint discomfort. What surprises them is everything else they notice afterward: sleeping through the night, feeling calmer, moving more freely, having more energy, and simply feeling more like themselves again.
And if you're nervous about the needles, you're not alone.
In fact, that's probably the number one concern we hear before someone's first appointment.
The reality? Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, about the width of a human hair. They're nothing like the needles used for injections or blood draws. Most patients are shocked by how comfortable the treatment is, and many end up so relaxed they fall asleep during their session.
The most common thing we hear after a first treatment isn't "That hurt."
It's:
"That's it? I thought it would be so much worse."
And then, usually followed by:
"I wish I had tried this years ago."
If you've been curious about acupuncture, waiting for a sign, or wondering if it could help you, this may be the perfect time to find out!