This is the most common question I have from new patients and the answer is: it depends. Generally the longer a patient has had the problem, the longer the course of treatment will be. That’s for internal medicine issues as well as for chronic and acute pain. For a chronic condition spanning years, think months. For an acute problem spanning months, think weeks. If weeks, perhaps days. But all of this depends on the age and general health of the patient, whether or not they are able to comply with herbal medicine, rest, and avoid re-injury. In any case, the first several treatments should be close together. More than a week apart, the effect diminishes and no momentum is established. Acupuncture is cumulative and progress can be slow. It takes time to influence the body’s nervous system and nudge patients into making their own medicine – which is what that those well-placed needles encourage. Modern acupuncture research studies in China have subjects coming to the clinic as often as twice a day, three times a week, as this recent study on sciatica shows. At Anita Lanier Wellness, we offer a couple of pre-paid multi-treatment plans that offer a reduction in cost. An investment in a pre-paid plan is a great solution for patients to reduce the per-treatment cost, and come in more often. Because several pain conditions are responsive to acupuncture, more medical professionals are getting training in needling. Make sure that your practitioner is a licensed acupuncturist, an Oriental Medicine Doctor, or if an MD or DO, has training in medical acupuncture.