As an important module of the Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture has been used as form of treatment for over 3,000 years. It entails the sticking sterilized needles on several of the 2000 puncture points to restore the balance of ‘chi’ in the body, hence enhancing the body’s ability to heal itself. Despite ongoing skepticism by several rigid exponents of canon modern medicine, acupuncture continues to effective.
According to the World Health Organization, acupuncture can remedy a total of 28 specific diseases. Other respectable health authorities like the US National Institutes of Health verify the effectiveness as a therapeutic intervention. The American Medical Association Journal of Internal Medicine has published reports highlighting acupuncture as a successful treatment for chronic pains.
The average acupuncture cost in the United States is roughly around $60 to $120 per session. It is important to take note, however, that a menu of specific techniques primarily determines the variation of acupuncture prices featured in a single alternative healthcare provider.
Apart from the conventional piercing method, extra costs may be billed for necessary additions like massage therapy, electro stimulation, ‘moxibustion’ and prescribed Chinese herbs
Cost-efficiency Data: Depression Therapy
The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has published a curious study in November 2014 based on the research data in the United Kingdom. The goal of the retrospective investigation is to determine the cost-efficiency of acupuncture as a remedy against depression. The bottom-line conclusion of the research claims that the overall acupuncture cost has a better return on investment than counseling and the usual care alone in terms of effectively treating patients with depression. The average cost for counseling is roughly $79 per hour (and some sessions take more than an hour). Ironically, the chances of patients experiencing worsened conditions after 12 months of therapy are lower with acupuncture compared with the usual care.
Moxibustion For Breech Pregnancy
A research published in the US National Library of Medicine on April 33, 2015 helps confirm the cost-efficiency of acupuncture as a means of correcting breech pregnancy prior to childbirth. Moxibustion is a technique that involves burning dry Moxa (Mugworts) herbs rolled on the blunt ends of the sterilized acupuncture needles. This type of acupuncture usually costs $80 during initial treatment and discounted for $70 throughout the subsequent follow-up sessions.
Each Moxa stick costs $1 to $4. It takes 5 days of one or two sessions per day for this therapy to take effect, with rest day intervals in between. The overall cost for the recommended number of acupuncture sessions is roughly around $360.
According to the results of the research, this acupuncture technique effectively prevents the need for caesarian delivery at 34%. It is important to take note that, apart from the average fee of $1,000 for caesarian operation alone, this type of delivery is often very risky compared to natural birth.
Top 5 Cities: Finest Prices
Contrary to the national average acupuncture cost, there are certain cities in the United States where each session has a much lower projection of fees. Take note: the estimates only reflect a single session paid in cash (excluding insurance coverage). These are the top five American cities with very cheap acupuncture prices according to Co Pay:
- Miami, Florida: The lowest cost for acupuncture is $40, which is practically no different from the average fee. The highest fee paid by customers range within $140.
- St. Louis, Missouri: In St. Louis, the lowest acupuncture prices don’t differ from the average price of $45. The highest fee normally paid by regular clients and patients is $62.
- Las Vegas, Nevada: The lowest fee for acupuncture session is $50. The highest cost is around $70. The median expense roughly falls around $60.
- Phoenix, Arizona: In Phoenix, there is no variation between the lowest, highest and the median cost. The singular unanimous rough estimate is around $60.
- Salt Lake, Utah: By comparison to all lowest costs, this city has the cheapest projection of roughly $15. The highest fee climbs at $75. By average estimate, patients and clients pay roughly around $60.
America’s 20 Best Schools
The best way to determine the quality health care provided by private practitioners of acupuncture therapy is to find out their credentials. There are a total of 20 ideal institutions in America that trains licensed acupuncturists. These universities are listed by The Best Schools ranking website for their comprehensive training programs as well as excellent faculty practitioners and researchers.
The following 20 schools featured in this part of the article is credited for their internship opportunities, success rate in educating students, and the availability of doctorate programs for acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is also important to take note that the following institutions listed in this part of the article have pretty much maintained their prestige for at least over 20 years since their foundation. Here is the alphabetical roster of highly accredited schools producing the country’s most recommendable acupuncturists:
AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine
Location: Austin, Texas (1993)
American Academy of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
Location: Roseville, Minnesota (1997)
American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
Location: Houston, Texas (1991)
American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Location: San Francisco, California (1980)
Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida (1994)
Bastyr University
Location: Kenmore, Washington (1978)
Emperor’s College School of Traditional Oriental Medicine
Location: Santa Monica, California (1983)
Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine of New York Chiropractic College
Location: Seneca Falls, New York (1919)
Five Branches University
Location: Santa Cruz, California (1984)
Maryland University of Integrative Health
Location: Laurel, Maryland (1974)
National College of Natural Medicine
Location: Portland, Oregon (1956)
New England School of Acupuncture
Location: Newton, Massachusetts (1975)
New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Location: Mineola, New York (1996)
Northwestern Health Sciences University
Location: Bloomington, Minnesota (1941)
Oregon College of Oriental Medicine
Location: Portland, Oregon (1983)
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
Location: New York, New York (1986)
Location: San Diego, California (1986)
Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine
Location: Seattle, Washington (1996)
Texas Health and Science University
Location: Austin, Texas (1990)
Tri-State College of Acupuncture
Location: New York, New York (1979