Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a practitioner?
The traditional acupuncturist forges an active partnership with the person seeking help. After developing a deep understanding of an individual's energetic make-up and lifestyle habits, the practitioner works with the patient to design effective strategies to promote wellness. Therefore, the selection of practitioners is critical.
Since a significant part of the alchemy of healing is based in the relationship between practitioner and patient, it is important to speak at least briefly with the acupuncturist before making a decision. Is there a connection? Do you feel understood and accepted?
Finally, what is the practitioner's level of training? Those who graduate from AACAOM accredited acupuncture programs have completed approximately 3000 hours of combined classroom and clinical study of classical acupuncture.
How does the Chinese Medicine practitioner determine the nature of imbalance?
A practitioner determines the imbalances in the body by employing what is known as the four basic examinations. The first is questioning about one's signs and symptoms while taking into account their personal and family health history. The second is by visually inspecting one's face, body and especially the tongue, with the emphasis placed on examining the coating, color and any demarcations. The third is by listening to one's voice and the sound of one's breathing as well as any odors emanating from their body. The fourth method is by palpation of various parts of the body and also taking pulses on both sides of the wrists. Incorporating all four of these methods, the practitioner can determine the pattern of disharmony and decide on a course of treatment to bring the person back into balance.
What methods are used to restore the balance?
Acupuncture involves the superficial insertion of needles into designated points on the body. There are more than three hundred of these points, and each of them has a specific effect on the energetic system of the body. By combining these points a trained acupuncturist is able to design a treatment that is tailored to the needs the individual. In addition to acupuncture, such modalities as moxabustion, cupping, gua-sha or herbal therapy may be employed. A Chinese practitioner may also use Tuina massage and prescribe preventative exercises like Tai Chi or Qi Gong. A strong emphasis is also put on diet and lifestyle.
Is acupuncture safe?
When practiced by a trained professional, acupuncture is an exceptionally safe form of therapy. Acupuncture is a safe, natural, effective healthcare system.
Acupuncture treatments are drug-free so there is no risk of drug interactions or dependencies.
You should always disclose any pre-existing conditions, current medications, and pregnancy.
What are the needles like?
Modern acupuncture needles are sterile, disposable and about as fine as a strand of hair. The needles are solid, not hollow like the hypodermic needles used for injections, and have a smooth and rounded tip. Acupuncture needles are not designed to cut the skin. Instead, when an acupuncture needle is inserted, the round edge pushes the tissue aside without cutting it.
Does it hurt?
The sensations during acupuncture needling have been variously described as warmth, heaviness, a dull ache or tingling. I take great care to make my clients very comfortable so that they can relax while the needles are in place. The more you can relax during an acupuncture treatment, the better the results. Most people find the experience deeply relaxing and many even fall asleep during treatment.
What is moxabustion?
Moxabustion, or moxa for short, is an ancient form of heat therapy that is believed to predate acupuncture. Moxa uses the ground-up leaves of the mugwort plant. In the most common form of moxa, the leaves are rolled into cigar-like sticks, which are then burned and held over the body to stimulate certain acupuncture points. Sometimes the moxa is mounted on a needle or applied directly to the body over an adhesive base that protects the skin. The heat never gets close enough to burn the skin, and most patients find the warmth very relaxing. Chinese studies show that moxa therapy increases digestive function, increases white blood count and platelets when burned over certain acupuncture points, and may have a positive effect on T-cells.
What is cupping?
Cupping is an ancient technique used both in China and the West. The traditional process uses glass jars, heated to create a vacuum, and placed on the body to relieve acute conditions such as colds and respiratory illnesses. Cupping is also used to relieve tension and pain. It is often used for upper or lower back ache, neck pain, and shoulder pain.
Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to work?
No. Acupuncture works whether or not you think it will. Acupuncture is even used successfully on small children and animals. They do not understand or believe in the process yet they get better anyway. A positive attitude helps with any type of therapy but it is not necessary to believe in acupuncture for it to work.
Since positive expectations and belief in a particular therapy help to increase therapeutic results, I encourage you to raise any concerns or doubts you may have about acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. I'd like to help you to better understand acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine so that you may have the most positive healing experience possible. You are invited to contact me with any questions, concerns and comments and I will be happy to discuss them with you.
Is there anything that I must do before treatment?
Spend some time thinking about what you would like to achieve from your acupuncture treatment. What questions or concerns do you have about acupuncture? What are your expectations? The more openly we can communicate, the better I can help you.
Be realistic. If you have several conditions or symptoms you would like to address, rank them in order of importance to you. On your first visit, I will probably focus primarily on your chief complaint and related symptoms. Secondary issues will also be noted and addressed as treatment progresses.
Set aside enough time so that you are not rushing to and from your visit. Physical strain or stress immediately before or after acupuncture can weaken your body and diminish the efficacy of the acupuncture treatment. Please take it into consideration and schedule your activities on the day of your visit accordingly.
Eat a light meal about two hours before a treatment, since hunger increases the risk of nausea or dizziness during the treatment. Acupuncture also cannot be performed on persons who are excessively fatigued, upset, or intoxicated.
What should I wear for the treatment?
Acupuncture points are located all over the body. However, many of the acupuncture points that are commonly used are located between the wrists and elbows, and the ankles and knees. You will be more comfortable if you wear loose-fitting clothes that can be easily rolled up above your elbows and knees. Women should not wear one-piece dresses. If necessary, a gown or a drape can be provided for your convenience.
What should I expect at the first visit?
We begin with exploring your concerns and changes you would like to achieve, which can focus primarily on physical symptoms, or may involve other aspects of your life, such as feeling unhappy, lost or overwhelmed. Regardless of the presentation, it is crucial that there is a common understanding of the treatment goal.
The next step involves reviewing the intake questionnaire you completed prior to your arrival, which includes a broad range of questions including not only your medical history but diet, emotions, lifestyle and key physical characteristics. Again, I want a thorough understanding of your overall physical and emotional state so I can better help you to set on your path to wellness.
We then do an initial assessment, during which I examine your pulses and tongue. Viewing your tongue and feeling your pulse provides a practitioner with a great deal of information about your body to help guide the treatment. I may also palpate the body to find areas of tenderness and energy blockages or just lightly touch an area and listen to the body's energy, all of which help me determine the cause of the imbalance and decide on the appropriate course of treatment.
My needling technique is very gentle, and I work closely with my patients to make sure their experiences are comfortable and positive.
My approach is always to use the fewest needles possible to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. With acupuncture, more needles does not always mean better results. Rather, an appropriate selection of specific acupuncture points based on precise diagnosis and their particular placement are crucial for an excellent treatment.
Needles are typically retained for about 20-30 minutes. I often play soothing music to help you relax during this time. Many people even fall asleep.
What can I expect after a treatment?
Following treatment it is common to feel a sense of relaxation and calm. Some people may feel immediate relief and some may feel only a slight decrease of their symptoms. Many people have reported a better night's rest and their ability to handle stress have improved. In a few cases, there may be no immediate change only to notice the symptoms diminish over the next few days. Generally, you should expect to feel better, but in some small percentage of cases, the treatment provokes a “healing crisis”; in such cases, the pain actually increases as a result of the treatment. This is actually a positive sign and usually indicates that relief will follow subsequent treatments.
How quickly can I expect to feel better?
Some patients experience dramatic results with just one or two treatments, while others see results build over several treatments. Most people experience better energy levels and a feeling of improved vitality and well-being after the first treatment. In general, some relief should be apparent in two to three treatments. If the problem is acute, sometimes improvement is felt after just one treatment, and may only need 3-5 treatments to resolve. If the condition is chronic and long-term it may require six to eight treatments to improve and many more to resolve.
How many treatments will I need?
The course of treatment depends on the nature, severity and duration of the condition being treated - a customized treatment plan will be created for you at your first appointment. While many problems can be fixed quickly, some conditions may be relieved only with time and effort. An acute condition may only need two to three treatments, whereas chronic conditions may take many treatments to resolve. Some degenerative conditions may require ongoing treatments over time for maintenance. The person's constitutional health and compliance play a major role in the healing process. The practitioner may suggest diet and lifestyle changes as well as exercise and relaxation techniques. Much of the healing is dependent upon the patient.
How often should I be treated?
Typically I treat patients once a week. If the condition is acute and painful, I may want to see you 2-3 times per week for the first few of weeks. The benefits of acupuncture tend to last longer as the treatments progress, so typically after a while I may want to see you once in two weeks or a month and then only periodically for maintenance.
Does acupuncture always help?
No, but it usually does. About 90% of patients have a positive response to acupuncture. If you do not feel any benefits after your initial course of treatment, then acupuncture may not work for you.
Does insurance cover acupuncture?
Most insurance plans do not cover acupuncture. However, some policies are beginning to include acupuncture because of its cost effectiveness as a treatment and because consumers have shown a willingness to pay for it out of pocket. At present, I do not accept any insurance plans. However, if your health insurance policy covers acupuncture treatments, I will be happy to provide you with a form that can be submitted to your insurance company for full or partial reimbursement of the cost of your visit, depending on your policy. Please check with your insurance company regarding their acupuncture coverage and reimbursement.
