Compare 4 acupuncturists in Empire, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
The first visit takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Your acupuncturist will ask detailed questions about your health, symptoms, diet, and lifestyle. They may check your pulse and look at your tongue (traditional diagnostic methods). Treatment involves inserting 10 to 20 hair-thin needles at specific points. Most people feel minimal discomfort. You lie still for 20 to 30 minutes. Many people relax enough to doze off.
Consider acupuncture for chronic pain (back, neck, knee), frequent headaches or migraines, osteoarthritis pain, post-surgical pain management, nausea (especially from chemotherapy), stress and anxiety, or insomnia. Some people also seek acupuncture for fertility support, allergies, and digestive issues, though evidence varies for these uses.
Initial visit: $75-200 · Follow-up session: $50-150 · Package (6-10 sessions): $300-1,000
Acupuncture is recognized by the NIH as effective for chronic pain conditions including low back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis. It offers a drug-free option that many patients use alongside conventional treatment.
Clinical trials support acupuncture for reducing both the frequency and intensity of tension headaches and migraines. Many patients find it effective as a preventive treatment.
Acupuncture activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation. Many people use it as a complementary approach for managing stress and anxiety alongside conventional care.
Acupuncture has strong evidence for reducing nausea, including chemotherapy-related and post-surgical nausea. It is also used for functional digestive complaints like IBS symptoms.
Acupuncture supports healing from sprains, strains, and repetitive stress injuries by improving local circulation and reducing inflammation. It is frequently combined with physical therapy.
Insurance coverage for acupuncture has expanded in recent years. Medicare covers acupuncture for chronic low back pain (up to 12 sessions in 90 days). Many private plans cover acupuncture for pain conditions, though visit limits and referral requirements vary. Some plans require the acupuncturist to be a licensed provider in your state. Always verify coverage before starting treatment.