Frequently Asked Questions
"I am afraid of needles. Does acupuncture hurt?" Unlike when you get a shot, have blood drawn or get a tattoo, acupuncture is performed with filiform (solid) needles the diameter of a human hair. Although there can occassionally be an uncomfortable sensation when the needle is inserted because of the many nerves present at the surface of the skin, most of the time, the needle is not felt at all. Acupuncturists often attempt to elicit a "distending" or "pulling" sensation from the needle site so that we know that the body is responding to the needle, but the sensation should not be sharp or burning. ​ When performing neuromuscular techniques such as E-stim or Dry needling, the muscle can sometimes temporarily spasm, jump, or ache much like with a deep tissue massage, before it finally relaxes and lets go.
"Is acupuncture science-based? How does it work?" ​Acupuncture is a very old, unbroken medical tradition that has been practiced by cultures all over the world. Although contemporary acupuncturists study a lineage based in 2,000 years of Chinese literature and clinical experience, European, African and Indigenous American cultures all used acupuncture. Today, Western medical professionals are adopting acupuncture techniques in their own practices. Renamed "dry needling", "battlefield acupuncture" or "peripheral nerve stimulation", these are nonetheless acupuncture techniques that were performed by acupuncturists first and still are today.  ​ Acupuncturists trained in Asian lineages use language that is unfamiliar to modern science, but that does not mean that it is not scientific. Chinese Taoists, who wrote the earliest acupuncture texts, viewed the human body as a microcosm of the natural world. They took observed physiological phenomena and compared it to patterns in their environment, which reflects a tendency in the Chinese language to use one word for many interrelated things. When someone had a seizure, it was as if a wind storm had arisen inside of them. The way that the heart pumped and disseminated blood, it was as if the heart were the ruler of the body, directing blood where to go. These metaphors made their medical theory more intuitive and made complex biological phenomena easier to understand. Through careful observation and thousands of years of clinical experience, theories of the Channels and of Acupuncture Points emerged. It was observed and tested again and again that certain points on the body, when stimulated, would produce a predictable healing response. ​ There are now thousands of studies performed which unsurprisingly confirm the therapeutic qualities and mechanisms of the acupuncture points and channels. It is now known that the internal organs are connected to the muscles and skin through myotomes, dermatomes and fascia. It has also been proven that multiple parts of the body map onto the same part of the brain- explaining why inserting a needle into a hand or foot can cause pain relief somewhere else entirely. We now understand how tissue degredation is related to a lack of blood circulation and how an immune response can be stimulated by a microinjury. All of these theories explain acupuncture in a modern, scientific light- though all of our ancestors have understood its therapeutic power for millenia.
"What does it take to become an acupuncturist? What is your training?" ​Many people do not realize that becoming an acupuncturist requires extensive training. To be licensed as an acupuncturist in the state of Texas, one has to acquire a 4-year Masters medical degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine from a nationally accredited school. This degree requires over 3,000 hours of coursework and 850 clinical hours. Acupuncturists learn Western anatomy, physiology, biology and pharmacology as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine. ​ After the degree is obtained, candidates for licensure by the Texas Medical Board must pass 4 rigourous national board exams administered by NCCAOM, the national acupuncture council in the United States. They are required to pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam as are other medical professionals in the state, as well as a background check. They are required to carry liability insurance and to keep detailed, HIPAA-compliant patient medical records. Other certificates that acupuncturists must obtain include Clean Needle Technique and First Aid. ​ Once licensed, acupuncturists in Texas must complete extensive continuing education every 2 years.
"What do treatments cost? Do you accept insurance?" While Coyote Herbs and Acupuncture does not accept insurance, I can provide you with a Superbill so that you can seek reimbursement from your insurance company. To get started, book a $45 Initial Examination. We will discuss your health goals, current situation and needs, and come up with a treatment plan for you. You do not have to commit to your recommended plan to be a patient at Coyote. Just like going to the gym or starting a new diet, it takes multiple acupuncture treatments over a short period of time to see significant change for the better. In some cases, 2-3 visits a week for at least 1 month may be required if you are serious about getting well. Other patients may reach their treatment goals with 1 acupuncture treatment per week or less. The cost for treatments is listed under the page "treatments & pricing". A 10% discount is provided for the purchase of 10 treatments. ​
"Are there risks associated with acupuncture?" ​Acupuncture is a medical procedure and there are some uncommon risks associated with it. The most common side effect of acupuncture is a loopy or spacey feeling since acupuncture causes the release of various "feel good" neurochemicals. Other less common side effects are small bruises, bleeding, or swelling at the insertion site. Even more rare is the risk of infection, as all licensed acupuncturists in the state of Texas perform acupuncture with sterile, single-use needles and are certified in clean needle practices. Finally, although the puncturing of internal organs is a theoretical risk of acupuncture, it is extremely rare, especially when performed by board certified acupuncturists. One study out of California found that over a period of 12 years- and out of millions of acupucture treatments performed- there were only 9 incidents of pneumothorax (puncture of the lung). None of the patients died. For comparison, it is estimated that at least 100,000 people die from elective surgeries in the US alone each year, while prescription drug usage is the 3rd leading cause of death in the US.