How much does acupuncture cost?
How much does acupuncture cost?
$100 – $180 Initial consultation + first session (private)
$75 – $120 per follow-up session (private)
$700 – $1,000 per 10 sessions (private)
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.
| 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 |
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.
| 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.
Patients can request sessions of up to 3 times weekly for severe neck pain.
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.
Sciatica comes from compressing the sciatic nerves that run from the lower back down the legs. Physical therapy exercises combined with acupuncture can effectively heal sciatica in many cases.
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.
To manage chronic back pain, some people receive ongoing acupuncture treatments since they have no long-term negative side effects.
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.
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.
Cost of acupuncture near me
The following table shows the average cost of acupuncture treatments near you:
| 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.
Ask your acupuncturist about how far apart the sessions should be to meet your individual needs.
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.
Wear loose and comfortable clothing that allows an acupuncturist to access your arms and legs. Some practitioners request you to wear only your underwear so that they can provide more comprehensive treatments.
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.
Tell your acupuncturist if any area is very sensitive, and they will adjust to accommodate you.
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?