Do You Always Use the Same Acupuncture Points?

This is one of the most common questions I get in my NYC acupuncture clinic.  The acupuncture point prescriptions will differ between patients, but also will change over time within one treatment plan.

Acupuncture is highly focused on treating the correct imbalance at the correct time.  As the acupuncture treatment progresses, the imbalances will change and the acupuncture point prescription will change.

For example, in acupuncture for overactive bladder   the initial acupuncture treatment will focus on relaxing the bladder and calming the mind.  After the intense discomfort and symptoms are corrected, the acupuncture will focus on boosting the energy, or qi, in the body to prevent the symptoms  from returning.

The first part of the acupuncture treatment calms the bladder by getting heat out of the body.   This may use acupuncture points such as KD2 and KD 3, Ren 2, GB 34, and ST 40.  The will help the bladder and calm the feeling of urgent and frequent urination.  The second part of the acupuncture treatment will be focused on boosting up the qi which will relieve the residual symptoms and provide longer term relief.   Acupuncture points such as KD 3, SP 9, Ren 4 and 6 are very helpful.