Frequency of Sessions

On average, it takes three close acupuncture treatments to recognize how much the acupuncture treatment is helping.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, chronic cases need to be treated at least twice a week for the first 3 to 6 weeks. After the initial series of treatments, a maintenance phase may be necessary, which typically ranges from once a week to once a month.

For acute conditions, an average of 2 to 3 sessions are recommended.

Cleveland Clinic confirms that acupuncture's effects are cumulative and build up with each treatment. Thus, frequent sessions help control inflammation and pain, relax muscles, and increase circulation quicker than sparsely distributed appointments.

The University of California San Diego suggests that chronic conditions may need

1 to 2 treatments per week for several months. Acute conditions may need fewer visits,

usually 8 to 10 visits total.

This frequency for acupuncture is relatively low compared to options such as physical therapy and chiropractic practices, which generally take 2 to 6 times a week. According to the Institute for Traditional Medicine, acupuncture is typically given in 5 to 10 consecutive days for acute conditions in places such as China and India, where it is well-known and often practiced.

If you are interested in preventative acupuncture only, the recommended frequency is once a month.

These are baseline suggestions and are subject to change depending on the severity of your condition. Your acupuncturist will discuss with you how many treatments are necessary to help relieve unwanted symptoms.