Acupuncture Treatment
How does an acupuncture treatment work?
Every acupuncture treatment at Practice ter Horst is personal and integrative. No standard approach — each session is tailored to your specific complaint, constitution and life circumstances. Depending on your condition, treatment can be combined with moxibustion (heat therapy) or cupping.
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First treatment
Approx. 60 minutes
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Follow-up treatment
Approx. 45 minutes
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Want to know more about how acupuncture works? Read our page about how acupuncture works, or ask your question during the free introductory consultation.
Rates 2026
| Treatment | Rate 2026 | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| First acupuncture treatment | € 85.00 | 60 min. |
| Follow-up acupuncture treatment | € 70.00 | 45 min. |
| 30-minute acupuncture consultation | € 42.50 | 30 min. |
| Free medical consultation (15 min) | Free | 15 min. |
| First treatment children (up to 13 years) | € 60.00 | 45 min. |
| Follow-up treatment children (up to 13 years) | € 35.00 | 25 min. |
| Surcharge Saturday treatment | € 21.00 | – |
| Surcharge home visit (within 10 km) | € 21.00 | – |
Reimbursement by your health insurer
Most Dutch health insurers reimburse acupuncture (partly) through the supplementary insurance. The compulsory own-risk does not apply to supplementary coverage. Practice ter Horst is NVA-certified — a requirement for reimbursement at virtually all insurers.
Often reimbursed
- Through supplementary insurance
- Own-risk does not apply
- NVA membership required
Check your policy
Contact your insurer or check the reimbursement overview:
Zorgwijzer overview All insurers overviewDoes acupuncture hurt?
With special needle guides you barely feel the insertion. The needles are extremely thin (0.2–0.3 mm) — much thinner than an injection needle. When the acupuncture point is stimulated, you may briefly feel a pressure, warmth or tingling sensation; this is called Dé Qi and indicates the treatment is working. The vast majority of patients say afterwards: “It was much better than I expected.”
Often there is noticeable improvement after just one treatment. Acute complaints can be fully resolved after a few sessions. Read more in our FAQ.
Much thinner than an injection needle
What conditions can be treated?
Acupuncture is effective for a wide range of conditions. Below are the most frequently treated complaints:
- Neck complaints and back pain
- Headache and migraine
- Stress and burn-out
- Sleep problems
- Chronic fatigue
- Weight management
View the full indication list for all treatable conditions, or read about acupuncture for children.
Preparing for your treatment
| Point of attention | Details |
|---|---|
| Eating | Make sure you have eaten something before the session. Do not come on a completely empty stomach. |
| Alcohol & drugs | Avoid alcohol and drugs before and after the treatment. |
| Physical exertion | Avoid heavy physical exercise directly before and after your session. |
| Medication | Always mention which medications you are taking — this may influence the treatment. |
| Pregnancy | Are you pregnant (even at an early stage) or trying to conceive? Please let us know. Certain acupuncture points are not used during pregnancy. |
After the treatment
Most people feel wonderfully relaxed after an acupuncture session. You may occasionally notice a dull or heavy feeling in the treated area — this is normal and passes on its own. Plan a quiet moment after your appointment; give your body time to absorb the effects.
When is acupuncture not suitable?
Acupuncture is a safe treatment, but in acute emergencies (heart attack, appendicitis) go directly to your GP or call 112. Read in our FAQ which conditions are not treated with acupuncture.