A new state law, which started Saturday, will require some health insurance plans to cover more acupuncture treatments.

Acupuncture is a health treatment that involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific points to reduce symptoms such as nausea and pain. It started in China more than 2,000 years ago.

The new law requires Minnesota health plans that cover acupuncture provided by physicians to also cover acupuncture provided by licensed acupuncture practitioners. But health plans that don’t already cover acupuncture aren’t required to start.