It depends on what medical condition you are seeking treatment for.
Acupuncture, which is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) is advantageous towards painful conditions such as sprain, muscle strain, arthritic disorders.
Some patients experience immediate relief after a single treatment. Herbal prescription, however, requires more time to take effect as the dose builds up in the bloodstream.
In general, acute conditions such as common cold, back sprain see faster and better results, while chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure etc require a longer course of treatment.