Frequently Asked Questions About Our Omaha Acupuncture Services
Here at Kosak Chiropractic and Acupuncture, we get many questions about our Omaha acupuncture services. Some patients are surprised to find that a chiropractic clinic offers acupuncture at all, while others are intrigued as to how this ancient healing modality can provide serious health and pain management benefits alongside modern therapeutic techniques such as chiropractic. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the acupuncture services offered by our chiropractor, Dr. Kevin Kosak. If you are ready to try our style of acupuncture, call us at (402)-964-0300.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a healing technique that goes back thousands of years to the healing practitioners of Asia, specifically Traditional Chinese Medicine. It involves the superficial insertion of extremely fine needles into specific points (or combinations of multiple points) on the body. The presence of the needles not only relieves many forms of pain but can also help the body get over a variety of health challenges. Our clinic actually uses a "needle-less" method incorporating Teishin needles and microcurrent which do not actually penetrate the skin.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
The mechanisms behind acupuncture are explained differently according to Eastern versus Western medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that pathways in the body called meridians relay life energy throughout the body and that interruptions to that flow could cause pain and disease. The acupuncture needles re-route the energy flow to its preferred state. Western medicine theorizes that acupuncture needles affect the flow of data through nerve pathways while also stimulating the production of the natural pain relievers known as endorphins.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture is entirely safe for the vast majority of patients. A study of 34,407 acupuncture sessions turned up only 43 negative reactions, and those were only mild side effects, while a 2006 review found zero adverse effects among 66,229 treatments. If you have any concerns or appear to have any potential risk factors, our chiropractor will discuss the situation with you before we proceed.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Contrary to what many people assume, acupuncture needles don't hurt -- they are simply too fine, and inserted at too shallow a level, to do any harm. The fact that we use non-invasive alternatives to traditional needles for our acupuncture in Omaha means that our methods are particularly non-invasive and comfortable for our patients.
How Many Sessions Do I Need?
The number of acupuncture sessions you need can vary greatly according to the nature and severity of your health issue. It's certainly possible that you could experience satisfactory relief within the first session or two. It's fairly common to undergo as many as 6 sessions to achieve the maximum benefit of the acupuncture treatment; beyond that point, our chiropractor may decide to change or enhance your treatment strategy if you need additional help. The frequency of acupuncture sessions can also vary -- if you're in acute pain, for instance, we can administer daily acupuncture sessions to get that pain under control.
What Conditions Can Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture is an extraordinarily versatile healing modality that can improve practically every aspect of your health and wellness. This makes it an effective form of care for such diverse conditions as acute and chronic pain disorders, injuries, TMJ, ear/nose/throat disorders, respiratory problems, digestive complaints, urinary issues, reproductive problems, neurological diseases or events, and even cancer-related discomfort. Athletes sometimes use acupuncture to recover more quickly after sporting events or training sessions.
What Other Treatment Methods Complement Acupuncture?
Acupuncture isn't just an effective stand-alone treatment method; it also works well as part of a larger holistic healing plan. Our Omaha chiropractor may recommend it alongside other natural strategies such as chiropractic adjustments or weight loss to help you optimize your whole-body health.
Are There Any Side Effects to Acupuncture?
Acupuncture tends to cause very few side effects. The traditional needles sometimes cause a bit of bleeding, bruising, or minor discomfort at the treatment site following an acupuncture session. But since we're using Teishin needles and microcurrent, you won't even be at risk for these minor issues when you choose our clinic for acupuncture in Omaha.
Does Insurance Cover Acupuncture Treatments?
Many insurance policies do indeed include acupuncture coverage. In some cases, this coverage applies specifically to incidents such as work or auto accident injuries; in others, the number of treatment sessions may be limited. Your insurance provider can clarify this point for you. Our Omaha acupuncture and chiropractic clinic can work with a variety of providers.
Let Us Serve as Your Omaha Acupuncture Resource
Kosak Chiropractic and Acupuncture is proud to serve as your resource for Omaha acupuncture information and treatment options. Whether you have a nagging health problem that needs amending or you're struggling to cope with acute pain, we can help. By utilizing both chiropractic and acupuncture together, we are confident we can help with your condition. Call (402)-964-0300 today to learn more and schedule an initial consultation!