New Patient
Frequently Asked Questions

What is an acupuncture treatment like?

Prior to your initial visit, we will email a four page Intake Form for you to complete and bring with you. During the first part of the visit, you and Karen will discuss your health issues. Once she has a thorough understanding of your condition, you will lie down on the treatment table, and Karen will carefully insert the sterile, disposable, hair-thin needles. She will leave you in the treatment room to relax for 20-30 minutes, then return, and remove the needles.

What will I feel while receiving my acupuncture treatment?

Our clients say they feel a variety of sensations such as warmth or tingling or pressure. These mild sensations are not painful and subside quickly after insertion. Most clients feel a sense of deep relaxation; many often fall asleep.

What kind of relief can I expect after my treatment?

Each client has a unique response. After the treatment, most clients immediately experience total or partial relief from their symptoms. This relief may persist or the symptoms may return, generally at a less intense level.

In a few cases, symptoms may seem worse after treatment. This is called the rebound effect. Within 3-12 hours, symptoms usually diminish significantly.

How should I prepare for my acupuncture treatment?

  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
  • Please do not come in on either a full or empty stomach.
  • Come prepared to talk about your health concerns.

What should I do after an acupuncture treatment?

You may feel a little light-headed after your treatment. If so, please have a seat in the reception room or take a short walk around our building. In a few minutes, you will feel relaxed and clear-headed.

Occasionally you may get a small hematoma (a little bruise under the skin) after an acupuncture needle is removed. This is not a cause for concern--it will go away after a few days. Gentle pressure will stop any small amount of bleeding that is occurring under the skin.

We recommend that you refrain from physical exertion immediately after your treatment. In particular, do not overuse the area that is being treated. This can cause tenderness and sensitivity to the area, and irritate your condition.

How many treatments will I need?

Your response to acupuncture treatment depends on a variety of factors:

  • The nature of your condition
  • The length of time you have had this condition (in other words, is it something you have had for a short time or is this a long-term, chronic condition?)
  • The general state of your health
  • Your willingness to participate in the healing process

For most chronic conditions, we prescribe 4-6 treatments, initially. At the end of this course, Karen will evaluate your progress and advise you on the next steps.

What criteria do I use to select an acupuncturist?

In order to practice in Texas, acupuncturists must be licensed by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, which also regulates physicians and physician assistants. Licensed acupuncturists (L.Ac.) must meet stringent criteria:

  • Graduate from an acupuncture school that has been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).
  • Receive 1,800 hours of acupuncture training from an accredited acupuncture school.
  • Devote 450 of the 1,800 hours to training in herbal therapy.
  • Certify as a Diplomate in Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
  • Take and pass the Council of College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) Clean Needle Technique course and practical examination.
  • Take a minimum of 60 college hours in addition to the acupuncture training.
  • Prove English proficiency.

Surprisingly, the state of Texas is less demanding of other practitioners who perform acupuncture. For example:

  • Chiropractors only need 100 hours of training in acupuncture and are not required to take any examination to test their skills.
  • Medical doctors (M.D.) and doctors of osteopathy (D.O.) have no minimum requirements to practice acupuncture in the state of Texas.

When considering acupuncture, do all of the same things you would do when choosing a new doctor:

  • Talk to people you trust and ask for recommendations.
  • Check the practitioner's training and credentials.
  • Ask about treatment costs and your insurance coverage.
  • Interview the practitioner. Ask about the treatment procedures used and how likely they are to help your condition.

What are Karen E. Nunley’s credentials?

Karen is a full-time, professional Licensed Acupuncturist with a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine. A nationally certified Diplomate in Acupuncture, Karen also serves in the following capacities:

  • Member - Board of Governors of the Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin
  • Clinical Supervisor - Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin student clinic, located at the People’s Community Clinic
  • Consultant - Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners
  • Consultant - ACN Group, Credentialing Committee
  • Past Member - Board of Directors for the Texas Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from 1997 to 2005

Karen established her practice in Austin in 1996. The Healing Acupuncture Center provides therapeutic treatment focused on wellness and optimal health maintenance, with an emphasis on holistic health as opposed to the symptomatic orientation typically found in conventional medicine.

To learn more, contact The Healing Acupuncture Center
at 512 458.7880 or us with your questions.