How many treatments are needed?
The recommended number of treatments varies with the condition and the patient. Chronic problems generally require more treatment than acute ones. Some patients notice an immediate improvement after the first treatment: others may not see a change until the seventh or eighth. It’s been shown that a certain percentage of patients receive maximum benefit up to three months following a course of therapy.
A small number of patient symptoms may be temporarily heightened as the body’s energies return to balance. The phenomenon is usually followed by improvement. The regular course of treatment runs between 8 to 16 sessions, with one to four visits each week.
Patients are urged not to enter an acupuncture program with the idea of “taking a few” to see what happens. Even though it is possible to achieve success, a program of 10 visits usually proves more effective. All practitioners advise patience with the healing process. If treatments are recommended and results occur in just five visits, the doctor may elect to discontinue treatments or continue their use to stabilize the condition.