| Acupuncture FAQ |
1. What does acupuncture feel like? The needles used for acupuncture are sterile, disposable, solid, and micro-thin. Most people feel a slight sensation upon insertion, and then you don't even know the needle is there. After the acupuncturist has inserted the needles, a profound feeling of relaxation and well-being is experienced. Some patients can actually take a nap, while most just enjoy the "relaxing time". 2. How long do the needles stay in? Since Chinese medicine looks at every person individually, each treatment can vary from person to person, but most needles stay in for an average of 25 minutes. 3. What happens when an acupuncture needle is inserted? The needle contacts and regulates an inner force called "Qi" (Vital energy). When there is disease, there is a disharmony with the Qi or life force. This can be due to many things such as a deficiency of Qi, a stagnation of Qi (not moving very well), or an excess of Qi (too much which may go where it is not supposed to go) etc. Acupuncture helps to bring harmony back to the body by balancing the Qi and restoring your health. As a first step, the acupuncturist examines a system of naturally flowing Qi energies. These energies should function like invisible maintenance crews, whose many tasks keep the body running smoothly since the Qi is behind every physiological and psychological function, from the circulation of the blood to the prevention of emotional hysteria. If the Qi is no longer flowing well, an ailment will be eminent. The acupuncturist then, as a second step, guides the action of the needle to return the inner workings to as normal a state as possible. Guided needles actually perform more that one hundred and fifty different kinds of healing activities, releasing blockages, restoring strength, boosting the immune system, etc. Acupuncture is not at all like getting an injection or taking blood. Acupuncture needles are about the diameter of a hair and are very fine and flexible. People experience acupuncture needling differently. Most patients feel only minimal pain as the needles are inserted; some feel no pain at all. With proper placement techniques, the needles do not hurt and are painless after placement. 5. How do Chinese herbs affect the body? The principals of therapy that apply to needling also apply to herbalogy . Just as needles are applied to restore deficiencies and remove excesses, herbs are prescribed to have compensatory qualities. The vast amount of Chinese herbal knowledge available today has accumulated in writing for thousands of years. That means that have been getting sick people well for a very long time without side effects. Those well formulated herb formulas work as well in American today as they did in China ages ago. All these herb formulas are still commonly prescribed in all hospitals in China in conjunction with western medicine practice. 6. Can acupuncture deal with infertility? An entire subdivision of acupuncture provides care in gynecology and obstetrics. In Chinese medicine, menstrual problems are considered connected to infertility. For conception to take place, the womb needs sufficient blood and Qi energy. Chills suggest poor circulation in general. In addition, troubled emotions are very likely stagnate liver Qi. In fact, acupuncture can help both the physical body and the emotions. The regulation of your monthly cycle and the activation of blood flow by acupuncture, combined with nourishing herbs, should produce the proper results. Speaking in terms of organs, infertility commonly stems from the liver, spleen and kidney. The liver stores blood, the spleen manufactures blood and the kidney oversees the whole process of reproduction. Two non-organ, "extra" channels work closely with menstruation and infertility. 7. Are needles the only form of treatment? No. Other techniques that may be used include: Acupressure, Electrical Stimulation, Exercise, Cupping Technique, Moxibustion, Nutrition, Chinese Herbs. 8. What are the benefits of acupuncture? Acupuncture is the insertion of thin needles into the body at specific points, which have been empirically proven effective in the treatment of many specific disorders. Positive benefits include:
Patients comment on the comfort of a treatment and how relaxing it is. Unlike hypodermic needles you see at the doctor's office, which are large and hollow, acupuncture needles are solid and extremely thin. All acupuncture needles and instruments must be sterile. We only use disposable, single-use needles. All presterilized acupuncture needles are manufactured, packaged, and shipped in sterilized containers to ensure compliance with the law. Acupuncturists are required to enroll and pass a National Clean Needle Training Course in order to insure proper handling and use of all needles used in treatment. 11. Can anyone benefit from acupuncture? Acupuncture is considered safe and effective for all ages and is recognized by the World Health Organization to be appropriate in treating the following conditions:
Because acupuncture treatments are drug-free, you avoid the risk of drugs, which may cause many side effects or dependency. Acupuncture is considered safe and effective for infants, children, men and women, and those in their golden years. The first formal record of acupuncture was complied in china between 300B.C.and 100 BC., but that compilation is so extensive and complete it's obvious acupuncture had been practiced long before that time. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method of treating a disease or relieving pain by inserting one or more metal needles in a certain area or at certain points throughout the human body. Acupuncture has been practiced in China for thousands years. Acupuncture is practiced based on discerning a pattern of imbalance in the body and treating accordingly. This imbalance can be based on physical and/or emotional difficulties. Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and harmony in the body. Inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points promotes natural healing and improves functioning. Acupuncture is a complex system of diagnostic corollaries that take into account the entire person, not just the isolated symptoms. It is a practice based on discerning a pattern of imbalance in the body and treating accordingly. This imbalance can be based on physical and/or emotional difficulties. An acupuncture diagnosis includes patient observation, questioning, and palpation. Your acupuncturist will ask you a detailed list of questions to determine the true nature of your complaint, including inquiries into your Diet, Digestion, Emotions, Pains, Sleeping Patterns, Urination, Bowel Movements. Your acupuncturist will palpate your pulses on your wrists in order to diagnose your internal imbalances. Your acupuncturist will also look at your tongue in terms of it's color, shape, coating, and overall texture, which can reveal much about your health. Your acupuncturist may also palpate your abdomen. This information will then be organized into patterns, and a diagnosis and treatment plan will be constructed. 16. How many treatments will I need? Each patient is unique. The number and frequency of treatments will vary from patient to patient. Some patients begin to respond favorably after only one or two treatment. Others may not improve until the eighth or ninth visit. In general, acute conditions require less treatment than chronic conditions. treatments. While a specific problem is being treated, you may visit your acupuncturist once or twice a week and gradually reduce the frequency of treatments to once or twice a month. To simply maintain good health, you may limit your treatments to once every season -- four times a year. 17. How will you treat my condition? Your practitioner will spend approximately ninety minutes with you during your first visit. At the end of your visit, you will have a thorough understanding of how your condition can be treated with acupuncture and Chinese medicine. 18. Will my insurance cover my acupuncture treatment? Health plans vary between insurance companies. Many plans cover all or some portion of acupuncture. On your first visit we will be happy to take your insurance information and determine your level of benefits within a week. If your insurance does not cover acupuncture, we offer different payment structures for you to choose from. 19. How long are office visits? Initial visits are approximately ninety (90) minutes. Follow up visits are approximately thirty-five (35) minutes. Each of the practitioners has a different specialty, but all of the practitioners have experience in treating: Addiction, Allergies, Asthma, Fatigue, Infertility, Pain (management), Prostate Issues and Other Disorders. |
 "Treating Allergies - Naturally" March 19th, 2008 7:30 PM Call Now Seating is Limited  Wellness Newsletter |
Contact Us | Patient Intake Forms
© Acupuncture Associates, LLC., ®All Rights Reserved, "Acupuncture Associates Trigram"™ is a Registered Trademark of Acupuncture Associates, LLC.