Edina, MN Acupuncturist
Here are some of the more commonly asked questions Complete Oriental Medical Care gets about our acupuncture therapies:
If you’re specifically looking for natural options for chronic or acute pain, visit our Acupuncture for Pain Relief page.
Are the needles clean?
You can rest easy knowing that Complete Oriental Medical Care uses only sterile, disposable needles (the thickness of a human hair) to assure that you will have a completely safe treatment. Steven Sonmore is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice and certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Does it hurt?
Extremely fine needles (similar in thickness to a human hair) are inserted with minimal stimulation and are left in place for 25 to 30 minutes. Some patients experience no sensation, while some may feel a small ache or pinch. Once the needle is inserted, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort. Most patients are unaware of the needles. They rest comfortably and experience a deep relaxation, often drifting off to sleep and awaking rested and revitalized.
What should I expect on my first visit?
Upon your first visit to Complete Oriental Medical Care, you will get an in-depth health intake and treatment which lasts a total of about 75 minutes. You will be asked about your chief complaints, how your mood has been, what your energy levels are like, and how your digestive system is working, among other things. This includes Chinese pulse and tongue diagnosis. When treatment begins, you will lie down on a table in a quiet, serene environment and needles will be placed on specific points of your body. You will then rest with the needles in for 25 to 30 minutes. Many patients rest comfortably, experience deep relaxation, and occasionally fall asleep — which we take as a good sign. If you’re feeling nervous, that’s completely normal — most first-time patients tell us they feel much more relaxed once the session begins.
What can I expect after a treatment?
Everyone’s experience is different. After treatment some feel relief – complete or partial – from pain and/or other ailments. Many leave feeling relaxed and calm and say they are more focused and sleep better after an acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture for Pain Relief (Chronic & Acute Conditions)
Many people seek acupuncture for pain relief after medications or other treatments have provided only temporary results. Below are answers to common questions about using acupuncture for chronic and acute pain conditions.
Does acupuncture work for chronic pain?
Yes. Acupuncture is commonly used to help manage chronic pain by stimulating the nervous system, improving circulation, and reducing inflammation. Clinical research has shown that acupuncture can be effective for conditions such as chronic low back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and headaches.
Many patients seek acupuncture after medications or other therapies have provided only temporary relief. While individual results vary, a personalized acupuncture plan can support meaningful, lasting improvement for many people living with chronic pain.
How quickly will I feel pain relief after acupuncture?
Some patients notice improvement after their first acupuncture session, while others experience gradual relief over several treatments. The timeline depends on factors such as how long the pain has been present, its underlying cause, and how your body responds to treatment.
Acute pain usually responds more quickly, whereas long-standing or complex chronic pain often requires a series of treatments for best results.
Can pain temporarily increase before it improves with acupuncture?
In rare cases, some patients may notice a temporary increase in symptoms before improvement occurs — even in areas that were not directly treated with needles. This response is sometimes referred to as a “healing response” and may reflect the body adjusting as circulation, nerve signaling, and tissue repair begin to change.
This type of response does not happen frequently and is usually short-lived. Most patients experience either steady improvement or no increase in discomfort at all. If symptoms ever feel concerning or persist, your acupuncturist will guide you and adjust treatment accordingly.
What types of pain respond best to acupuncture?
Acupuncture is commonly used to help manage a wide range of pain conditions, including:
- Back and low back pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Sciatica and nerve pain
- Joint pain (knee, hip, elbow, shoulder)
- Headaches and tension-related pain
Because acupuncture treatments are tailored to the individual, results vary based on the condition, duration of pain, and overall health.
How many acupuncture treatments will I need for pain relief?
The number of treatments needed varies from person to person. Some individuals experience improvement within a few sessions, while chronic or long-standing pain often benefits from a series of treatments over time.
Your acupuncturist will assess your condition, discuss goals with you, and recommend a treatment plan based on your progress and response.
Is acupuncture safe for long-term or recurring pain?
When performed by a licensed, trained practitioner, acupuncture is considered a safe therapy for both short-term and long-term pain management. Sterile, single-use needles are used, and treatments are customized to your condition and comfort level.
Many people incorporate acupuncture into an ongoing wellness or pain-management plan to support mobility, comfort, and quality of life.
Do you offer acupuncture for pain relief in Edina, Minnesota?
Yes. Complete Oriental Medical Care provides acupuncture for chronic and acute pain relief in Edina, Minnesota, serving patients throughout the Twin Cities for over 30 years. Treatments are personalized for conditions such as back pain, joint pain, sciatica, and nerve-related pain, and are performed by a licensed practitioner in a private, clinical setting.
If you’re exploring acupuncture as part of a comprehensive approach to managing chronic or acute pain, you can learn more about our personalized treatment approach on our Acupuncture for Pain Relief page.
What should I wear for the treatment?
Wear or bring loose, comfortable clothing that can be rolled up to your elbows and knees.
How many treatments will I need?
This depends on the severity and duration of each person’s condition. Some acute conditions may require only a few treatments. In general, 12 treatments are adequate for many chronic problems. Some chronic ailments require ongoing treatments. You can expect to have your health concern addressed in a direct and timely manner.
Do you have to believe in acupuncture for it to work?
Absolutely not. We treat many skeptics and their acupuncture treatments still work. Animals are treated with acupuncture and they don’t believe in acupuncture.
Do you offer Chinese herbs and nutritional supplements?
Yes, we have hundreds of Chinese herbal formulas and can even make custom herbal formulas for certain health problems. We also carry pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements for specific health conditions.
Do you offer any additional holistic therapies?
Yes, ask for our Deluxe Session. This includes acupuncture followed by cupping, gua sha, and/or Rapid Release Technology. These therapies are often used to help relieve upper and lower back tension and discomfort.
We now offer Laser Acupuncture also known as Cold Laser Therapy or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). This is wonderful for needle shy patients because it is absolutely painless.
Please refrain from wearing perfume or cologne.
We have some patients with allergies so complying with this rule is appreciated.
Can Edina patients use HSA or FSA for acupuncture?
Yes. Many patients in Edina and the Twin Cities use HSA or FSA funds for acupuncture care. We provide receipts and documentation upon request.
Do you accept medical insurance?
Complete Oriental Medical Care does not bill any insurance, but patients can use health savings accounts or flex spending accounts to pay for acupuncture treatments. Also, we can provide you with a superbill that has our state license number and the diagnosis code of your health condition, and you can submit this to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
What payments do you accept?
We accept online payments with Venmo and Zelle. We also accept cash and local checks. We look forward to working with you!
Schedule your appointment here.
Or call us at 952-831-8080. To your health!
