What acupuncture is, and what it is used for
Acupuncture is the practice of placing very fine, sterile, single-use needles at specific points on the body. It comes from Chinese medicine, where points are chosen to correct patterns of excess, deficiency or stagnation. Modern research describes the same treatment in physiological terms: needling stimulates nerves in the skin and muscle, changes how the brain and spinal cord process pain, increases local blood flow and helps shift the nervous system out of a constant "fight or flight" state.
People in New York book acupuncture most often for:
- Pain: sciatica, low back pain, neck and shoulder pain, TMJ and jaw clenching, knee arthritis and sports injuries
- Migraines and tension headaches
- Stress, anxiety, burnout and insomnia
- Women's health: painful or irregular periods, PCOS, perimenopause and menopause
- Fertility, IVF and IUI support, and men's health
- Digestive problems such as IBS, bloating and reflux
- Skin and natural rejuvenation with cosmetic facial acupuncture
What the research says
Acupuncture is one of the most studied complementary therapies. The American College of Physicians lists it among first-line non-drug treatments for chronic low back pain. Cochrane reviews have found that a course of acupuncture reduces how often migraines and tension-type headaches occur. A 2024 randomized trial in JAMA Internal Medicine found it reduced leg pain from chronic sciatica more than sham treatment. Evidence for other conditions ranges from promising to mixed, and Dr. Iskhakov will tell you honestly what to expect for yours.
What a treatment feels like
Acupuncture needles are about as thin as a hair, far finer than a needle used for an injection or blood draw. Most people feel a light tap or nothing at all as a needle goes in, then a dull ache, warmth or tingling around the point. After that, most patients feel heavy and relaxed. Many fall asleep during the 25 to 40 minutes the needles stay in.
What happens at your first acupuncture appointment
Your first visit takes about 90 minutes and is never rushed. Dr. Iskhakov sees one patient at a time.
- Conversation (about 30 minutes). Your main concern, your medical history and medications, plus the details Chinese medicine reads: sleep, digestion, energy, stress, temperature and, for women, your cycle.
- Assessment. Tongue and pulse diagnosis, and gentle palpation of the area that hurts.
- Treatment (about 45 minutes). Acupuncture, often combined with cupping, heat or electroacupuncture when it helps.
- Your plan. You leave knowing how often to come, when you should notice change and what to do between visits.
Read the full first-visit guide for what to wear and how to prepare.
How many acupuncture sessions will I need?
It depends on the problem and how long you have had it. A recent strain often settles in 3 to 5 visits. Pain or symptoms you have lived with for months usually need 6 to 10 weekly sessions, then visits taper to every two to four weeks. Many Midtown patients keep a monthly visit for stress, sleep and posture-related tension. You will get a specific estimate at your first appointment, and progress is checked at every visit.
Why patients choose Fifth Element Acupuncture
- A Doctor of Acupuncture. Dr. Iskhakov holds a D.Ac. degree and is licensed in New York State.
- One practitioner, one patient. No rotating staff and no shared rooms. You see the same doctor every visit.
- Clear prices before you come in. Every fee is listed on our pricing page, and we provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.
- English and Russian. Russian-speaking patients can describe their symptoms in the language they are most comfortable with.
- Easy to reach from work. Steps from Bryant Park, a few minutes from Grand Central, Times Square and Rockefeller Center, with evening and Saturday appointments.
Cost and insurance
Acupuncture starts at $185 (first visit, about 90 minutes). Follow-up acupuncture is $140 for about 60 minutes, with cupping or electroacupuncture included when needed, and packages lower the per-visit cost. We are an out-of-network provider: you pay at each visit and receive a superbill to submit to your insurer, and many PPO plans reimburse part of the fee. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. See every fee on pricing & insurance.
When to see a doctor first
Acupuncture from a licensed practitioner using sterile, single-use needles is very safe. The most common side effects are a small bruise or brief soreness at a point. Tell us if you are pregnant, take blood thinners, have a pacemaker or have a bleeding disorder.
Getting to our Midtown office
Our suite is on West 45th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, so an acupuncture appointment fits into a lunch hour or the end of a workday in Midtown.
Fifth Element Acupuncture, 25 W 45th St, Suite 507, New York, NY 10036 · (347) 596-0931 · Directions
B, D, F, M to 42 St–Bryant Park · 7 to 5 Av · 4, 5, 6, S and Metro-North at Grand Central (6-min walk) · Times Sq–42 St (8-min walk)
How to book
Answer a few short questions online and we will call within one business day to confirm a time, or call (347) 596-0931. New patients start with a 90-minute first visit. Evening and Saturday appointments are available, and care is offered in English and Russian.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine complement, and do not replace, care from your physician. Results vary from person to person. Please continue any treatment your doctor has prescribed and tell us about medications you take. Photos are illustrative.
