Northern Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, LLC

Acupuncture/TCM

Acupuncture is one modality of treatment within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is increasingly used in the West to help manage problems as diverse as chronic pain (e.g., back and arthritis pain, migraines), stress, addictions (e.g., cigarettes and narcotics) as well as emotional problems (e.g., depression and anxiety.)  While endorsed for centuries by a significant percentage of the world’s population, more recently acupuncture is beginning to find support both in basic science, and more importantly clinical outcomes research.  One major benefit of undergoing acupuncture at NAPM is that there is close collaboration between both Eastern and Western perspectives on your health issues.

Acupuncture/TCM Therapy, Eagle River, Alaska

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Drug-Free and Extremely Safe

Acupuncture is a drug-free and extremely safe therapy. A full health history is taken and an examination performed at initial visit. Afterwards, a plan made and carried out after the diagnosis is made.  An acupuncture session typically lasts 30-60 minutes and is carried out in a tranquil room with a heated table, using single-use/disposable needles that are far smaller than those used in Western medicine. These needles generally cause no pain, or at worst a sense of local aching (but more often numbness and heaviness.)

Acupuncture, eagle river

Insurance Coverage

Acupuncture is covered by most major commercial/private insurance carriers (including the VA). However, it is also available for a modest out-of-pocket charge.