A 65-year-old woman came to our clinic complaining of chronic low back pain. She read online that Medicare had started covering acupuncture for chronic low back pain, and she wanted to see if it would help. It was a good decision – acupuncture reduced her back pain by 50 percent, enabling her to walk better, shop longer and manage her house chores easier. This low back acupuncture case describes her experience.
Medicare Covers Acupuncture For Back Pain
Starting in 2021, Medicare began covering acupuncture for chronic low back pain. There are kinks in the system, but we can get many of our patients’ coverage if they have United Healthcare Medicare Advantage or Aetna Medicare. We are currently working on getting Humana Medicare patients covered as well. Technically, Medicare should cover everyone regardless of their supplemental plan, but some plans have not cooperated. Hopefully, Medicare will resolve these issues soon.
Low Back Acupuncture Case
Our patient had United Healthcare Medicare Advantage, so she only paid her copay, $50. Her pain was centered in her low back, radiating into her hips, and kept her from walking more than ten paces before feeling intense discomfort. She had to use an electric cart for shopping and a walker around the house. Walking in the neighborhood with her husband was not an option, as it was too demanding and triggered severe pain in her low back.
Treatment That Worked For Her
We applied acupuncture needles in her low back and hips and electroacupuncture stimulation to the points, strengthening the treatment. After one treatment, she started feeling relief, and following her third treatment, she was able to shop without needing an electric cart. She received four consecutive treatments, once a week, then spread out her sessions to every other week, and finally once a month.
Acupuncture has enabled our patient to improve her daily functioning and quality of life significantly. However, she would never have considered trying it unless Medicare offered the benefit. Now she’s thrilled to have found a safe, natural treatment that significantly reduces her chronic low back pain. This low back acupuncture case is typical for our patients with back pain – most experience long-term relief after four to six treatments which they maintain with monthly acupuncture.
What To Expect
All needles are sterile, single-use, and hair-thin. Treatments are relaxing – many of our patients fall asleep during their sessions. On your first visit, we will conduct an intake and give you a complete treatment.
Next Steps
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What our Clients are Saying
I came to Raleigh Acupuncture. After 1 treatment, my back felt better than it has in a year. I’ve had acupuncture before elsewhere and it has never been this effective.
I went in for a bulging disc in my back and a couple of days after the first treatment I had no pain in my back. Before treatment I had a constant dull pain in the middle of my back when at rest. The treatments were about a week apart and I completed 3 of them. It has been about 3 weeks since I have been and have a slight pain in my back but is nowhere near what it was before I started treatment. Before getting acupuncture I tried chiropractic and felt worse when I was done. For those that are skeptical like me, let me tell you that it works. I would definitely recommend Dr Mark in his ability to help with your pain.
I suffered from low back pain for years and tried many different remedies. When I came to Raleigh Acupuncture, they really listened to understand my issues. I can honestly say that they cured my chronic back pain. I didn’t think it was possible, after all these years. I highly recommend this practice. The doctors take the time and do good work.