Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of NY & CT (PMR) offers acupuncture Danbury CT patients can combine with chiropractic care, physical therapy and pain management, all in one office at 1 Padanaram Road. It’s a non-surgical, drug-free option many people try for long-lasting back pain, neck pain and headaches. Results vary, and we’ll be straightforward about whether acupuncture is likely to suit your problem.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves placing very thin, sterile needles at specific points on the body. Traditional Chinese medicine describes it as restoring the flow of energy, called qi (“chee”), along pathways known as meridians. Researchers today also study how needling affects nerves, muscles and connective tissue, and how it may change the way the body processes pain signals.
What an acupuncture session in Danbury, CT is like
- Your first visit starts with a health history and exam. Along with questions about your pain, your acupuncturist may ask about sleep, appetite and digestion, because traditional diagnosis looks at the whole person.
- During treatment, you lie face up or face down while sterile, single-use, disposable needles are placed at chosen points.
- Once the needles are in, you may notice a dull ache, tingling, warmth or heaviness around each point.
- Resting time usually lasts about 20 minutes with the needles in place.
- Afterward, most people go straight back to their day. A little soreness or a small bruise at a needle site is possible.
Conditions acupuncture may help
Research suggests acupuncture may help some people with:
- Long-lasting low back pain
- Neck pain that has hung on for months
- Knee osteoarthritis pain
- Frequent tension-type headaches, and migraines when acupuncture is used to help prevent attacks
The evidence is weaker or mixed for many other conditions. If acupuncture is unlikely to help your problem, PMR can suggest other options.
How acupuncture fits with physical therapy and chiropractic
Acupuncture is rarely the whole plan. It may take the edge off pain enough to make exercise and movement easier, while physical therapy in Danbury builds strength and chiropractic care addresses stiff joints. With one office and one plan, your providers can schedule them to work together. Read more about acupuncture for pain at PMR.
When to get urgent care
Call 911 or go to the ER for:
- The worst headache of your life, or a headache with fever and a stiff neck
- Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, a face that droops or speech that suddenly slurs
- Back pain together with groin numbness or bladder or bowel problems
- Chest pain, or breathing that suddenly gets hard
Frequently asked questions
Will the needles hurt?
Most people feel some sensation but little pain. Acupuncture needles are solid and hair-thin, far finer than the hollow needles used for shots, so insertion usually feels like a quick tap or pinch. If any needle feels sharp or uncomfortable, tell your acupuncturist right away so it can be adjusted or removed.
How many acupuncture sessions will I need?
That varies with your problem, how long you’ve had it and how your body responds. It’s usually given as a series of sessions, not a single visit. Your acupuncturist will suggest a starting schedule after your first visit and review your progress after a few treatments. If nothing has changed after several sessions, talk together about other options.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is generally considered safe when a trained, licensed practitioner uses sterile, single-use needles. Side effects are usually minor, such as soreness, slight bleeding or a small bruise. Let your acupuncturist know about pregnancy, blood-thinning medicine, a bleeding problem or a pacemaker, since some techniques may need to change.
Does insurance cover acupuncture?
Coverage varies widely. Some plans include a set number of acupuncture visits each year, while others don’t cover it at all. Our billing office at (203) 744-8014 can check your benefits and explain what your plan covers before your first session.
Book acupuncture in Danbury
Ready to try acupuncture? Call PMR of Danbury, CT at (203) 744-8013 or request a visit online. Our office is at 1 Padanaram Road, Danbury, CT 06811. See the Danbury office page for hours and the full team, and read our Google reviews.