Acupuncture
How Acupuncture Works!
Acupuncture is a powerful medicine that encourages the body to promote natural healing and improve function. In Acupuncture there are more than 400 acupuncture points, located on channels called meridians that run along the surface of the body, governing the flow of Qi (pronounced “Chee”). When Qi, the body’s life force energy, moves freely through the meridians, the body is balanced and healthy. When the Qi becomes stuck or blocked it can result in physical, mental or emotional ill health. Your practitioner will make a Chinese medical diagnosis based upon a thorough examination and consultation.
“There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture’s value to expand its use into conventional medicine.” -National Institute of Health, 1997, Consensus of Acupuncture.
FAQs
Acupuncture is considered a safe procedure and is well known for its efficacy and lack of side effects when administered by a board certified practitioner.
• In our clinic we use pre-sterilized, disposable FDA approved needles for all treatments.
• Our practitioners are highly trained – board certified – trained in Clean Needle Technique, and observe proper safety protocols for administering acupuncture treatment.
Frequency usually depends on the nature of your condition. To expedite your healing process appointments should be scheduled weekly. As your condition improves so can the time between appointments.
This is one of the most common questions we are asked. To provide you with realistic expectations, many factors affecting your recovery time must be taken into consideration.
Acute conditions can see results in two to three appointments, while chronic conditions may take six to eight treatments. In general, most people experience better energy and a feeling of well being after the first treatment. Acupuncture treatments have a cumulative effect.
The following factors as well as your individual health goals combine to structure the frequency and duration of your care:
• Acute vs chronic pain
• First episode or recurrent problem
• History of previous injuries
• General health
• General fitness level (include strength, flexibility and cardiovascular health)
• Lifestyle (work, diet, sleep)
• Compliance with recommendations
• Kept appointment
• Stress (physical/mental/chemical)
• Family history
Your first appointment will begin with a comprehensive intake of your health history and discussion about your symptoms and condition. Additional diagnostic tools such as pulse taking and tongue inspection are included. Your practitioner will get to know you and begin to understand the root of your health concerns (this first treatment typically takes 90 minutes). Your session will conclude with a relaxing and balancing acupuncture treatment.
• Acupuncture needles are much thinner than standard hypodermic needles. At 2mm in diameter, they are as thin as a hair.
• We recognize that patients have different levels of sensitivity. When the needles are inserted you may experience a sensation of tingling or warmth, maybe a dull ache. This is Qi or energy and a “good thing”.
• Many clients can barely feel the needle insertion, and even those who dislike needles commonly find it to be a painless and stress free experience.
• Our needles are FDA approved, sterile, single-use disposable needles.
• Please bring completed client intake forms to your first appointment.
• Please come to your appointment wearing comfortable, loose fitting clothes.
• It is important that you are well hydrated and have eaten a small meal one hour prior to your appointment.
Currently our office does not bill insurance companies. More and more insurance companies are covering acupuncture. Please check with your insurance provider to find out if your policy covers acupuncture and how many visits you are allowed per year. We are also happy to provide you with receipts to submit for reimbursement through medical flex accounts and insurance provider.
Yes! Prenatal acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to help expecting mothers’ support a healthy pregnancy. Acupuncture is not a substitute for Western prenatal medical care. Instead it offers complementary care that has many very few side effects. Studies have shown acupuncture to be effective for stress, morning sickness, hip and low back pain, breech position, mild to moderate depression, labor induction, and shortening the length of labor.
Herbs are prescribed according to your specific needs and to treat the exact nature of the imbalances underlying your complaints. Chinese Herbal Medicine is often combined with acupuncture to facilitate bringing your body back to a healthy state in the fastest way possible. If two patients come in for insomnia for example, one may be experiencing high levels of stress in the workplace and the other may be transitioning through menopause. In Western medicine they both may be prescribed the same drug to help with sleep. While the medicine works to sedate, it does not necessarily address the underlying reasons for the insomnia. Chinese Herbal Medicine includes specific combinations of herbs designed to address the underlying imbalances and restore proper functioning.