Acupuncture
Chinese Medicine – Acupuncture, Herbology, …
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions, and our answers.
a needle!
What is Chinese medicine and how does it work?
Traditional Chinese Medicine differs from Western therapies in that Chinese Medicine looks at your health from a holistic or “whole person” point-of-view, while Western medicine tends to focus on diseases or traumas in isolation. A person’s diet, lifestyle, work, family relationships, emotions, internal and external environment, all affect one’s health and sense of well-being. In Chinese Medicine everything is interdependent and mutually interactive. As people we exist as part of an energetic universe. Chinese Medicine activates & replenishes your own body’s natural healing processes to take care of the problem.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the traditional Chinese healing therapies designed to rebalance the flow of energy (Qi) within the human body. Fine needles are used at specific points on the body, which correspond to points on the meridians or pathways along which the energy flows. By inserting the needles at the correct points, your acupuncturist can stimulate your body’s energy and put you back into balance. These needles are not hollow, and are hair-thin.
What does the Acupuncture or Chinese Medicine treatment involve?
During acupuncture, full attention will be given to help you relax and receive the most value from the treatment. After each needle is inserted, you may feel nothing, or sometimes a vague numbness, heaviness, or slight tingling—however, the treatment is effective whether these feelings are sensed or not. The needles will be left in for 20-30 minutes while you relax with soothing music in a warm room. After the treatment, you may experience a relaxing euphoric feeling. We offer two types of acupuncture treatments; individual sessions where you are in the room by yourself lying on a table, or group acupuncture where treatment is given in a chair and you are in a room with others. Group acupuncture is less expensive and both treatments are effective.
How should I prepare for my Acupuncture treatment?
Dont come hungry but dont stuff yourself right before the appointment. Wear comfortable clothing.
How long does an acupuncture visit take?
Your first treatment is approximately 1.5 hours and involves an initial consultation in which a diagnosis is made and we determine which TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) treatments are right for you. After the initial consultation, we generally move right into a first treatment during the same visit. Follow-up visits consist of a much shorter intake/diagnosis period before treatment, and generally last for 1 hour or less.
How do you use Traditional Chinese Medicine to diagnose my health problem?
We ask a variety of questions regarding your specific complaint and general health and use Traditional Chinese diagnostic methods, including pulse reading and tongue diagnosis. The initial consultation includes a standard health history—not unlike at a medical doctor’s office. You will be asked to fill out a few forms, or, if you wish, we can provide you with information for downloading the forms and you can fill them out at home before you come in. Whatever first treatment is appropriate will be done immediately following the initial consultation.
acupuncture point yintang
Can acupuncture help me?
Acupuncture is not just for the treatment of pain although it is certainly very effective for that. Acupuncture is therapeutically effective for a wide range of disorders including but not limited to: traumatic injuries, athletic injuries, allergies, circulatory problems, nerve disorders, stress and emotional difficulties, women’s health issues, infertility, energy deficiencies, and immune system disorders. Acupuncture is also helpful in managing morning sickness during pregnancy and managing the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Because TCM treats the whole person, people who incorporate TCM therapies into their personal health regimen tend to be healthier, happier, and more resistant to disease.
What if I’m afraid of needles?
A lot of people are afraid of needles but as far as taking acupuncture treatment is concerned, you needn’t be. Acupuncture uses very fine, filiform needles that are inserted quite painlessly. You are far more likely to experience a tickling sensation than a prick. All of our needles are sterile and disposable and completely safe.
Do the Acupuncture needles hurt?
Most people are surprised and relieved to learn that acupuncture needles are very thin—unlike hypodermic needles which are thick and hollow. Acupuncturists can attain a high level of skill in gently placing these tiny needles and often the insertion is barely perceptible. The needles are usually inserted only several millimeters in depth—also very unlike hypodermic injections. As such, patients generally do not feel the painful piercing or pricking sensation typically associated with an injection, blood sample, or other medical needle procedure. We can only use disposable needles, and there is nothing injected into you.
What exactly is Qi?
the channels of energy
Qi is the life force that moves within us and around us. It is what keeps nature’s cycles regular. It is an electromagnetic energy circuling in the body, regulating physiology. Within the body Qi is differentiated to perform specific functions: production of energy, the beating of the heart, breathing, movement, healing process, resistance to illness, assimilation of food and elimination of wastes, etc. Blockage in the flow of Qi causes pain as in the case of injury. Insufficient Qi causes hypo function as in chronic fatigue syndrome. Excess of Qi causes hyper function as in in gastric ulcers. The proper and harmonious flow of Qi is what maintains our sense and state of well being.
Is there any science to this?
Yes. Acupuncture is the most extensively documented medical practice in the world. Not only is there literally thousands of years of proven case studies, but also in modern times much clinical research has been done to show how acupuncture works to change the biochemistry of the body. In China today, both Traditional and Western medicines are used side by side in the hospitals. This is becoming more common in the Western world as well.
Is there a beginning and an end?
Acupuncture can be used successfully to cure a particular ailment, say, to help you quit smoking, to relieve pain and promote healing after an accident or injury, to alleviate allergies, help get over the flu or boost your energy, etc. Once your specific complaint has been alleviated you may discontinue treatment or you may wish to visit your acupuncturist for preventative measures to maintain your body and mind in a state of harmony and well-being. How long treatments continue is usually propotional to how long you’ve had the problem.
What about herbal medicine?
Herbal medicines are used alone or with acupuncture to support and regulate bodily functions from the inside out. Acupuncture works from the outside in, therefore, the two systems complement each other as Yin and Yang therapies. “Tonic” herbs nourish and enhance the body’s Qi, blood and fluids. The “clearing” herbs drain pathogenic factors like heat, cold, or toxins. There are hundreds of herbs in the Chinese pharmacy. Specific herbs are appropriately chosen and combined to form a prescription for an individual’s specific needs. Chinese medicine can be taken in the form of teas, tinctures, pills or powders.
What about my insurance?
All insurance companies are very cost-conscious. Many now realize that for many complaints acupuncture is both a therapeutically effective and extremely cost-effective therapy that can actually preclude the need for more expensive forms of medical treatment later on. We will be happy to provide your insurance provider with whatever records or documentation they require. Our goal is to make every aspect of your treatment as pleasant, painless and stress-free as is humanly possible. Even the paperwork.
Can I talk with your patients?
Absolutely. We are happy to provide you with patient references. And we’ll gladly answer any other questions you may have by phone or at the time of your initial visit.