Acupuncture at the FMC

Providers:

Wunian Chen, LAc

Gary Asher, MD

All of our providers are credentialed to practice acupuncture at UNC Hospitals and in the state of North Carolina.  In addition, they are Clinical Instructors in the Department of Family Medicine.

Acupuncture clinic hours:

Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Acupuncture fees:

New patient evaluation: $100

Return visits: $70/visit

Patients are required to pay at time of visit and may request reimbursement from their insurance provider separately.  Some health insurance policies will cover acupuncture services.  Please check with your insurer regarding your specific coverage.

FAQs

What is acupuncture?

The term "acupuncture" describes a family of procedures involving the stimulation of points on the body using a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been most often studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by hand or by electrical stimulation.

Practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years, acupuncture is one of the key components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In TCM, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Yin represents cold, slow, or passive aspects of the person, while yang represents hot, excited, or active aspects. A major theory in TCM is that health is achieved through balancing yin and yang and disease is caused by an imbalance leading to a blockage in the flow of qi (the vital energy or life force proposed to regulate a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health). According to TCM, health is achieved by maintaining the body in a "balanced state"; disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qi. Qi can be unblocked, according to TCM, by using acupuncture at certain points on the body.  These points are organized into meridians that appear as channels along the body. One commonly cited source describes meridians as channels "connecting the body in a weblike interconnecting matrix" of at least 2,000 acupuncture points.

Acupuncture became better known in the United States in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his pain after surgery. American practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, Europe, and other countries.

What should I expect?

During your first office visit, we will ask you at length about your health condition, lifestyle, and behavior in order to obtain a complete picture of your treatment needs and behaviors that may contribute to your condition. Please let us know about all treatments or medications you are taking and all medical conditions you have.

Treatment may take place over a period of several weeks or more.

During the first session, an initial evaluation will be conducted and treatment options will be discussed.  A treatment plan will be established.  Each acupuncture session is approximately one hour long. 

Do the needles hurt?

Acupuncture needles are metallic, solid, and hair-thin. People experience acupuncture differently, but most feel minimal or no pain as the needles are inserted. Some people feel energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed. 

Is it safe?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners, requiring that needles be manufactured and labeled according to certain standards. For example, the FDA requires that needles be sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only.

Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported to the FDA, in light of the millions of people treated each year and the number of acupuncture needles used. Still, complications have resulted from inadequate sterilization of needles and from improper delivery of treatments. To prevent infection, our practitioners use a new set of disposable needles taken from a sealed package for each patient. Though it is very rare, acupuncture - when not delivered properly - can cause serious adverse effects, including infections and punctured organs.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions that are needed will vary from person to person.  Some patients will notice an immediate response to treatment, while others will need several treatments before noticing a response.  Often, it depends on how long the condition has been present. 

What conditions are typically treated?