How much does acupuncture cost?
Ashburn, VA

How much does acupuncture cost?

Ashburn, VA

How much does acupuncture cost?

$100 – $180Initial consultation + first session (private)
$75 – $120per follow-up session (private)
$700 – $1,000per 10 sessions (private)

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$100 – $180 Initial consultation + first session (private)

$75 – $120 per follow-up session (private)

$700 – $1,000 per 10 sessions (private)


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Sarah Noel
Written by
Sarah Noel
Edited by
Tara Farmer

Average cost of acupuncture

Private acupuncture costs $100 to $180 for the initial consultation and first treatment. Follow-up sessions cost $75 to $120 each. Acupuncture prices are $700 to $1,000 for 10 private sessions. The cost of community acupuncture is $25 to $50 per session. Optional herbal supplements cost $50 to $250 monthly.

Acupuncture cost
Factor Private one-on-one Community setting
Initial consultation + first treatment $100 – $180 $45 – $70
Cost per follow-up treatment $75 – $120 $25 – $50
5 sessions (discounted) $350 – $500 $100 – $225
10 sessions (discounted $700 – $1,000 $200 – $450

An acupuncturist inserting needles into a woman's back.
An acupuncturist inserting needles into a woman's back.
Get free estimates from acupuncturists near you.

Acupuncture prices by treatment

The following table shows acupuncture price by treatment type, according to the number of recommended sessions. These discounted acupuncture rates are based on $70 to $100 per session with a minimum of 4 sessions.

Acupuncture price list - Chart
Acupuncture price list - Chart
Acupuncture price list
Treatment Average cost Number of sessions included
Fertility $560 – $2,400 8 – 24
Weight loss $560 – $1,400 8 – 14
Stop smoking $420 – $1,200 6 – 12
Neck pain $350 – $1,000 5 – 10
Sciatica $280 – $1,200 4 – 12
Back pain $560 – $1,200 8 – 12
Anxiety $560 – $1,200 8 – 12
TMJ $420 – $1,500 6 – 15

Acupuncture for fertility cost

The cost of fertility focused acupuncture is $560 to $2,400 for 8 to 24 sessions in 2 to 3 months. Sessions to promote fertility help reduce stress hormones and balance reproductive hormones. Acupuncture helps increase the success rate of in-vitro fertilization and decrease the chances of miscarriage.

Acupuncture for weight loss cost

Acupuncture to lose weight costs $560 to $1,400 or 8 to 14 sessions. The treatments help reduce food cravings and boost digestion. The practitioner may make herbal and dietary recommendations along with encouraging an exercise regime. The specialist also reviews a patient's medical history to address causes of slow metabolism.

Cost for acupuncture to stop smoking

Acupuncture to quit smoking costs $420 to $1,200 for 6 to 12 sessions on average. Acupuncture to stop smoking helps reduce cravings, detoxifies the body, and helps with anxiety from nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Acupuncturists recommend having 2 weekly sessions in the beginning.

Acupuncture for neck pain cost

Acupuncture for neck pain costs $350 to $1,000 for 5 to 10 sessions to treat acute pain. Chronic neck pain requires 10 to 15 sessions or more, depending on the individual. Pain-relief benefits are typically immediate while long-term healing of chronic neck conditions is a gradual process.

Young woman getting acupuncture treatment in therapy room
Young woman getting acupuncture treatment in therapy room

Acupuncture for sciatica cost

Acupuncture for sciatica costs $280 to $1,200 for 4 to 12 treatments. Depending on the pain severity, patients receive 2 to 3 sessions per week initially. This therapy relaxes muscles and relieves the pain but not the underlying cause, which is typically structural.

Performing acupuncture therapy for weight loss on female patient
Performing acupuncture therapy for weight loss on female patient

Acupuncture for back pain cost

Acupuncture for back pain costs $560 to $1,200 to get 8 to 12 treatments and reduces inflammation. Patients experience pain relief after the first session. Treating back pain with acupuncture typically calls for 2 weekly sessions in the beginning and less frequent sessions as the pain decreases.

Acupuncture treatment session being performed on patients back for pain relief
Acupuncture treatment session being performed on patients back for pain relief

Cost of acupuncture for anxiety

The cost of acupuncture for anxiety is $560 to $1,200 for 8 to 12 sessions. This treatment relaxes tense areas, lowers stress levels, and promotes circulation. The sessions release mood-balancing hormones and relieve insomnia. This treatment plan works for anxiety related conditions like panic attacks and PTSD.

Acupuncture for TMJ cost

Acupuncture for TMJ costs $420 to $1,500 for 6 to 15 sessions over the course of 1.5 to 2.5 months. A session for temporomandibular joint dysfunction relaxes jaw muscles and their connecting tissues. Results include pain relief, reduced inflammation, and speeding up healing from TMJ surgery or jaw-related injuries.

Alternative medicine with homeopathic herbal pills and acupuncture needles
Alternative medicine with homeopathic herbal pills and acupuncture needles

Acupuncture treatment cost factors

Factors that affect the cost of acupuncture sessions include:

  • Initial consultation – Before the first treatment, the patient gets an initial health consultation to assess their condition and needs. The consultation adds $25 to $60 to the first session.

  • Practice style – One-on-one treatments cost more than community settings with multiple patients in the same room. Community treatments are often priced on a sliding scale.

  • Experience level – Highly trained acupuncturists with many years of experience typically charge higher rates than new practitioners.

  • Insurance – If the health insurance plan covers acupuncture, treatments may be free or cost a lower co-pay rate.

  • Treatment type – The total session cost depends on which conditions the acupuncturist treats and how long the session is.

  • Discounts – Cheaper rates apply for students, seniors, children, and for booking multiple follow-up sessions upfront.

  • Location – Acupuncture prices change according to the location. Big cities typically have higher prices than small towns and rural areas.

  • Add-on treatments:

    • Cupping – This treatment costs $45 to $65 per session and helps with pain, inflammation, and improving blood flow.

    • Herbs – Chinese herbal supplements cost $50 to $250 per month, depending on the type and dosage.

Woman receiving cosmetic acupuncture treatment in beauty salon
Woman receiving cosmetic acupuncture treatment in beauty salon

Cost of acupuncture near me

The following table shows the average cost of acupuncture treatments near you:

Get free estimates from acupuncturists near you.
Cost of acupuncture near me
Location Average cost per session*
Atlanta, GA $85 – $135
Austin, TX $85 – $135
Boston, MA $100 – $165
Bridgeport, CT $80 – $130
Chicago, IL $85 – $140
Cleveland, OH $75 – $125
Columbus, OH $80 – $125
Dallas, TX $80 – $130
Denver, CO $80 – $130
Detroit, MI $80 – $130
Honolulu, HI $90 – $145
Houston, TX $95 – $150
Indianapolis, IN $80 – $125
Jacksonville, FL $75 – $120
Los Angeles, CA $80 – $130
Miami, FL $75 – $120
Minneapolis, MN $85 – $135
Mobile, AL $75 – $120
Nashville, TN $75 – $120
New York, NY $100 – $160
Newark, NJ $85 – $135
Oklahoma City, OK $70 – $115
Philadelphia, PA $85 – $135
Phoenix, AZ $80 – $125
Pittsburgh, PA $80 – $130
Portland, OR $80 – $130
San Diego, CA $80 – $130
San Francisco, CA $95 – $150
Savannah, GA $70 – $115
Seattle, WA $85 – $135
Tulsa, OK $75 – $120
Washington, DC $85 – $135

*Based on follow-up sessions after the initial consultation.

Acupuncture FAQs

What is acupuncture, and how does it work?

Acupuncture is an ancient medical practice of inserting tiny, pre-sterilized needles into specific meridian points on the body to stimulate a natural healing response. This process triggers the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and redirects pain signals to make patients feel better.

This holistic therapy is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture promotes healing in the whole body and mind.

What does acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture is effective for treating these conditions:

  • Chronic pain of all types

  • Most body injuries

  • Joint inflammation

  • Infertility

  • Sciatica

  • Fatigue

  • Anxiety

  • Menstrual problems

  • Indigestion and obesity

  • Migraine headaches

  • Insomnia

What are the benefits of acupuncture?

Benefits of acupuncture include:

  • Relieves all types of pain

  • Speeds up the healing process after an injury

  • Boosts the immune system

  • Improves circulation and overall well-being of the mind and body

  • Reduces stress and promotes relaxation

  • Promotes better quality of sleep

  • Reduces vomiting and alleviates nausea

  • Releases toxins that have accumulated in your body

  • Supports most other medical treatments without side effects

Is acupuncture covered by insurance?

Certain insurance policies do cover acupuncture, especially when prescribed by a doctor. Starting in 2020, Medicare and Medicaid began covering acupuncture for chronic back pain as a medication alternative. To determine your coverage, ask your insurance company about co-payment amounts and what they cover.

Other insurance companies that cover acupuncture include:

  • Blue Cross

  • Cigna

  • United Healthcare

  • Aetna

  • Banner Health

  • Medicare & Medicaid

  • Veterans Community Care Network

  • UMR

  • Humana

  • Landmark

  • Optum

  • John Hopkins EHP

  • Kennedy Krieger's Core Source

Without insurance, acupuncture is more expensive at $75 to $120 per session.

How long is an acupuncture session?

An acupuncture session is 45 to 60 minutes long on average. The time depends on your condition, the treatment plan, the number of needles applied, and the acupuncturist's approach. While the shortest sessions can be 20 minutes long, others are up to 90 minutes.

How often should you get acupuncture?

You should get acupuncture treatments as often as your health condition requires. Most people start with weekly or biweekly sessions. The frequency of acupuncture sessions also depends on your body's response to the treatment. For acute issues, more frequent treatments like twice weekly are best.

What should you expect during an acupuncture treatment?

During an acupuncture treatment, you should expect to:

  • Discuss the conditions you want the specialist to target for the session.

  • Lie on a massage table while the acupuncturist puts tiny, single-use, sterilized needles in precise spots on your body.

  • Relax and lie still in a quiet room for some time before they remove the needles.

Does acupuncture hurt, and is it safe?

Acupuncture doesn't hurt for most people, and it's a safe and non-toxic treatment when done by an experienced practitioner licensed in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The needles feel weightless after the initial pricking sensation when the acupuncturist applies them. Removing the needles causes no discomfort.

Look for the most highly trained specialist if you have:

  • Cancer

  • Bleeding disorders

  • Epilepsy

  • Diabetes

  • A pacemaker

  • Pregnancy

Getting estimates from acupuncturists near you

Before hiring an acupuncturist near you, be sure to:

  • Collect 3+ price lists from practitioners in business for 5+ years.

  • Browse through their reviews on Google and Thervo.

  • Ask for licensed and insured professionals trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

  • Beware of the lowest prices that indicate poor-quality treatments.

  • Keep a copy of their terms of service and cancellation policies.

  • Don't make a payment until after receiving treatment.

Questions to ask

  • How many years have you been giving acupuncture treatments?

  • Where did you study acupuncture, and for how long?

  • How long do your sessions last?

  • Have you ever treated someone with my health conditions?

  • Which herbal supplements would assist my healing process?

  • How many treatments will it take to see results?

  • Should I allow time to rest at home after my session?

  • How should I let you know if I feel discomfort during the treatment?

  • Are any other services like aromatherapy or sound healing available during my session?

  • Can you treat pets with acupuncture?