Do you tip an acupuncturist?

Acupuncture is a great way to help your body heal itself by stimulating your body through specific acupuncture points. Professional acupuncturists tailor the targeted acupuncture points to your individual medical needs. Far from being a new fad, acupuncture has been around for thousands of years, originating in Asia.

If you’ve never had acupuncture before, it might be because you didn’t know about its health benefits. It could also be because you’re a bit skeptical. If you are a touch skeptical, you’ll be happy to hear that acupuncture has strong medical support for its efficacy.

The United States Government’s National Institutes of Health has stated that “acupuncture may help ease types of pain that are often chronic such as low-back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis/knee pain. It also may help reduce the frequency of tension headaches and prevent migraine headaches.”

It’s no wonder then that 10 million acupuncture treatments are performed each year in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. The number has been quickly increasing in recent years. Will you be one of those 10 million this year?

Do I tip my acupuncturist? (Answer)

No, you don’t need to give a tip for acupuncture. The reason that you don’t need to tip is that your acupuncturist is a medical professional.

You don’t tip your dentist, dermatologist, or chiropractor so you don’t need to tip your acupuncturist either. Tipping requirements exist in non-medical service industries but not in healthcare.

Want to tip? How much should you give?

When your acupuncturist performs both acupuncture and massage, you might feel like you need to leave a tip for the massage portion. Although it’s not required, it’s also up to you. Your acupuncturist will appreciate the extra cash.

Feel free to leave a tip if you want but based only on the cost of the massage alone. Don’t tip on the cost of the acupuncture treatment.

If the cost of your treatment isn’t broken down on your receipt, ask how much the massage therapist portion would cost or base it on what massages elsewhere charge. Leave a tip of 15% of the massage cost for good service or more for a higher level of service.

Remember that you don’t need to leave a gratuity, whether you received a massage as part of your acupuncture treatment or not.

How should I leave the tip?

Some patients like to leave a tip for their acupuncturist, particularly after a massage session. Patients can give cash directly, while others might drop it in a tip jar or envelope. If the office allows tips to be added to credit cards, that’s an option too.

Frequently asked questions about acupuncture

People often have many questions about acupuncture. Here are some of the most common questions people ask when considering whether to tip their acupuncturist.

What to wear to acupuncture?

It is essential to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the treatment area. You should wear clothing like loose pants, yoga pants, shorts, teeshirts, and tank tops. Pant legs should easily roll up above your knee.

Please do not wear a sports bra, as it restricts access to your back. Avoid wearing dresses and skirts. Some acupuncture offices offer sheets or gowns that open in the back or front.

What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?

Both acupuncture and dry needling use thin needles that use the insertion of needles into the skin to relieve pain and discomfort.

The difference is that dry needling uses intense stimulation on the targeted muscles, while acupuncture does not. What does that mean, exactly? It means that patients often perceive dry needling as painful, while acupuncture is not painful at all.

Can acupuncture help a pinched nerve?

Yes, acupuncture can help relieve the pain from a pinched nerve. Acupuncture has been shown to be more effective in treating pinched nerves than the conventional diagnosis, medication, and treatment you would receive at a doctor’s office.

How deep do acupuncture needles go?

Acupuncture needs are typically inserted 1/4 to 1 inch deep into your skin, with the average range being 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.

Occasionally, the needles are inserted up to 3 inches deep, such as in the treatment of sciatica.

How long often should you get acupuncture?

The average acupuncture patient has an appointment once per week for at least five weeks. If your condition is more complex or severe, treatments can be more frequent and last for longer. Your acupuncturist will tailor a treatment program to address your individual needs.

Final thoughts

Acupuncture is an effective, safe treatment used for relief from pain, insomnia, ailments, and imbalances by 10 million Americans each year. Patients report that acupuncture treatments are more effective than those received by MD doctors, on average. When getting treatment from an acupuncturist, you don’t have to leave a tip. That’s because an acupuncturist is a medical professional.