Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture

This depends on your insurance plan.  Some health insurance policies do cover acupuncture, although the coverage may only apply to certain medical conditions.  Coverage may also depend on whether our practice is in the plan's network.  We currently participate in the following networks:

    Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota

    Medica

    United Health Care

    Preferred One

    Aetna

    Workers' Comp

If you have an injury from an automobile accident, coverage may be available through your vehicle insurer.

Please contact your insurer for information on your plan's acupuncture benefits.  We can assist you in providing information necessary for the insurer to make a determination.                            

Back to Top of Page

Acupuncture is a 2000-year-old ancient Chinese healing art.  It is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve functioning by inserting hair-thin, sterilized, single-use needles along the meridians at certain points on the body.  The effect of treatment is to help the body’s internal organs correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption and energy production activities, and to enhance the circulation of energy through the meridians.                                                                                

Back to Top of Page

The modern scientific explanation of acupuncture is that the needling of strategic acupuncture points on the body stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain.  These chemicals either change the pain experience or trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones that help the body’s internal regulation system.  The net result is stimulation of the body’s natural healing abilities and promotion of physical and emotional well being. 

More and more clinical studies have found that acupuncture can reduce pain, reduce inflammation, reduce muscle spasm, increase blood circulation, increase range of motion, decrease the side effect of medication-induced nausea, and promote relaxation.                                                                                                                           

Back to Top of Page

Most people feel nothing when the needles are inserted, and become very relaxed afterwards.  Some may experience mild sensations of stinging, numbness, tingling, soreness, or pressure during or after a needle is inserted.  Most people can go back to a normal daily routine right after an acupuncture treatment.  All acupuncture needles are sterilized, individually wrapped, and disposed of after each treatment of the patient.  

Back to Top of Page

No special preparation is required for an acupuncture treatment.  You can have any meals as usual, or have a snack if you are very hungry right before the treatment.  Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing, if possible. 

Back to Top of Page

The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture to treat a variety of medical conditions including but not limited to:

• Digestive disorders such as acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea, gastritis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
• Mental conditions such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, PTSD, and addiction.
• Neurological, muscular and joint disorders such as headaches, migraines, facial tics, TMJ, neck pain, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, rib neuritis, various forms of tendonitis, bursitis, restless legs syndrome, back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.
• Respiratory conditions such as allergies, asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis.
• Urinary, menstrual and reproductive problems such as urinary tract infection, PMS, and menopausal discomfort.
• Other conditions such as arrhythmia, fatigue, hypertension, Meniere’s disease, acne, rosacea, psoriasis, shingles, and hair loss.      

I have also had the pleasure of being able to help several patients with long COVID symptoms achieve a more complete recovery using acupuncture alone or in combination with Chinese herbs.

Please see our CONDITIONS TREATED page for more detailed information. 

Back to Top of Page

Xinsong "Linda" Li received her formal medical education, in Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine, in Kunming, China.  She also received a Certificate of Clinical Research Methodology from the Chinese Medical Academy in Beijing, China, and was a member, and served as Secretary of the Board, of the Kunming City Traditional Chinese Medical Institution. 

Linda Li’s medical career in China included serving for 8 years as an In-patient doctor with the Kunming City Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital in Yunnan, China.  She was then promoted to Physician-in-Charge of Internal Medicine at the hospital and worked in this capacity for 5 years.  During her thirteen-year tenure with the hospital, Dr. Li published 10 clinical research papers in medical journals in China.

Xinsong "Linda" Li is licensed as an acupuncturist with the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice, and has over 20 years of clinical experience in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.  She had been in practice with Carolyn Bowles, MD, in the Southdale Medical Center for 5 years, and with Jeffrey Sawyer, MD, at Parkdale Plaza Building in St. Louis Park.  She is currently practicing at her main office in Edina and at an additional location in Golden Valley.  See our CONTACT US page for addresses and maps of the locations.

Back to Top of Page