Frequently Asked Questions about Acupuncture


What is Acupuncture?


Acupuncture is a form of medicine practiced for over 4000 years.  The basic principle of Acupuncture, which is one modality of treatment of Oriental Medicine, is to realign and rebalance the energy in the body.  Just as a Chiropractor realigns and rebalances your skeletal system, and a massage therapist helps to realign and rebalance your muscular system, an Acupuncturist realigns and rebalances the energy systems in your body.  There are 14 main meridian pathways in your body through which energy flows.  These Meridian pathways have been compared to rivers, that bring life-giving water to the land, animals and people who live near them.  Within your meridian pathways flow life-giving energy, or Qi (pronounced chee) to every cell, tissue, muscle, and organ in your body.  An obstruction in your meridian system can be caused by an injury (trauma), lack of movement, and/or deficiencies or over-abundance of dietary intake.

An obstruction of Qi-flow in your body is like a dam in a river, or a traffic jam on an interstate.  If Qi becomes “backed-up” in a particular meridian, there then becomes an accumulation of Qi in that area, which can cause pain.  An accumulation of Qi in one area of your body can lead to a depletion of Qi-flow in another area.  A defencency of Qi can lead to fatigue, weakness, or depression.  This imbalance of Qi throughout your system will lead to pain, a lack of well-being, or if severe enough or left out of balance for too long, disease.

It is the objective of Acupuncture to optimize, or in some instances, restore the balance of energy throughout your body.  This is accomplished by placing needles into specific acupuncture points, which either dispersing or eliciting Qi.

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How does Acupuncture Work?


Following the Chinese diagnosis, acupuncture needles are inserted into the body at specific points along acupuncture "meridians," or pathways, which stimulates the body's healing energy or qi.  The body has approximately one thousand acupuncture points.   Electromagnetic research has confirmed their locations.  Neurophysiologist Bruce Pomeranz at the University of Toronto suggests that the needles trigger the nervous system, releasing painkilling and inflammation-reducing substances. According to ancient theory, acupuncture allows Qi to flow to areas where it is deficient, and away from areas where it is in excess.  In this way, acupuncture regulates and restores a harmonious energetic balance in the body.  In Chinese there is a saying, "There is no pain if there is free flow; if there is pain, there is no free flow." 


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What problems can be treated by acupuncture?


On November 5, 1997, a panel convened by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded that there is clear evidence that acupuncture needle treatment is effective for nausea and vomiting from postoperative condition as well as chemotherapy, morning sickness, and postoperative dental pain.  The 12-member panel also concluded in their consensus statement that there are a number of other pain-related conditions for which acupuncture may be effective.  These conditions include but are not limited to fibromyalgia (general muscle pain), low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma. 


In our clinic, acupuncture has been very effective for many illnesses such as these: 
Musculoskeletal: 
*Neck pain 
*Shoulder pain 
*Tennis elbow 
*Carpal tunnel 
*Acute/chronic back pain 
*Knee pain 
*Sciatica 
*Foot pain 
Neurological / nervous system: 
*Headache 
*Trigeminal neuralgia 
*Insomnia 
*Stress disorders 
*Bell's Palsy 
*Hyperthyroidism 
*High blood pressure 
*Stroke 
*Epilepsy 
Gynecological: 
*Infertility (female/male) 
*Menstrual pain 
*PMS 
*And many other female health problems 
Respiratory: 
*Asthma 
*Cough 
*Sore throat 
*Common cold 
*Allergies/hay fever 
Gastrointestinal: 
*Constipation 
*Diarrhea 
*Hiccups 
*Nausea 
*Stomach Pain 
Others: 
*Assist Cancer Therapies 
*Meniere's disease 
*Smoking Cessation 
*Car accident complication 
   and more? 


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How many treatments will I need?


The number of treatments needed vary from person to person.

Depending on the duration and severity of the imbalance, some patients receive immediate relief, while others may need a series of treatments.   Chronic (existing 3 months or longer) conditions tend to require more treatments than acute ones.  Most patients require a minimum of one month to feel significant changes.

The frequency of treatment depends on a variety of factors.  The Acupuncturist may suggest one to three treatments per week, or one treatment a month for a “maintenance” phase of healthcare.

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What types of needles are used?


This clinic uses only sterilized, individually packaged disposable needles.  The needles come in various sizes.  Depending upon the nature of the problem, the location of the points selected, and the patient's size, age, and constitution, needles can be inserted from ¼ to 3 inches in depth.


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How does acupuncture feel?


At the time the needle is inserted, one may feel soreness or slight pain; some patients describe it as an "ant sting."  While the needles remain inserted, for approximately 20 minutes, the patient may feel some cramping, heaviness, distention, tingling, or an electrical sensation either around the needle or traveling up or down the affected meridian, or energy pathway.  In any case, if you experience any discomfort after the treatment, it is usually mild and short term. Because the purpose of acupuncture is to balance your body, there are no long-term negative side effects.  On the contrary, relaxation and a sense of well-being often occur during and after treatment.  Many patients fall asleep while the needles are inserted because of this sense of relaxation and balance. 


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What is cupping?


Cupping therapy is usually performed with glass cups, although sometimes it is done with plastic cups.  A cotton ball is soaked in alcohol and lit on fire, the fire is placed inside the cups and removed, and the cup is placed quickly on the skin.  The fire acts to remove the air from inside the cup, causing suction; the cup sticks to the skin, and pulls a little on the skin.  This suction acts to draw out what is called stagnant, or stuck, energy from inside the body and bring it to the surface where it can be released.  It is used in areas such as the back, shoulders, and forearms when the muscles are very tight or there is aching pain.  Patients find that it relaxes those areas.  Cupping often leaves a circular bruise-like mark where the cup was.  Depending on the person, these marks can last from a few days to a couple weeks. 


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What is Oriental Medicine?


Oriental Medicine is a term that refers to a traditional system of medicine, classified by the U.S. National Institutes of Health as a complete medical system. Acupuncture is just one part of Oriental Medicine, which includes other therapies such as Chinese herbal medicine, diet and exercise therapies, cupping, moxabustion, manual therapies and more.

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What is Electro-Acupuncture?


Electro-Acupuncture is when the acupuncture needles are inserted and then attached to a small device that puts out a tiny electrical current.  This current runs through the needles and increases the efficacy of the treatment.  It feels like a light pulse and is not painful or uncomfortable.  It acts to increase the strength of the treatment. 


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What is Heat Therapy?


The clinic uses special medical heat lamps designed for acupuncture to apply heat to the areas where needles are inserted.  The heat warms the needles and transmits the warmth inside the body.  It also acts to bring down inflammation and increase circulation.  The heat is relaxing for the patient, making it easier to rest during treatment. 


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What is Auricular (ear) Acupuncture?


For some conditions, the acupuncturist may use auricular acupuncture, where needles are used at acupuncture points on the ear.  For all internal organs as well as limbs, there are specific points in the ear.  When disorders occur in any part of the body, tenderness can occur at the corresponding points in the ear.  Stimulating these sensitive areas on the ear serves to prevent and treat diseases and injuries.  Weight loss, addiction problems, as well as any chronic problem can be treated with acupuncture in the ear. For chronic problems, the acupuncturist may suggest the use of ear seeds or ear tacks.  In this case, the acupuncturist uses a small machine to help find the most sensitive spots for the patient's problems, and then tapes a small seed inside the ear for that area.  These are hidden in the ear and do not stick out, so they can be kept in for up to one week.  The patient can stimulate the points by pressing on the seeds every day.  This gives the patient an opportunity for longer lasting and more constant relief.  If any of the points become uncomfortable, ear seeds can be removed by the patient right away without any problem. 


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What about herbs?


Herbs are an essential part of Oriental Medicine, and, in China, they are considered the primary method of treatment with acupuncture being secondary. Chinese herbs are always given in complex formulae designed for each individual patient. The professional standard of care is raw herbal formulae (the actual herbs themselves cooked into a tea) or extract powders that are individualized for the patient. Tablets or tinctures are used as well, but they are more like over-the-counter strength preparations and are not used by professional physicians in Asia. Practitioners here in the US who primarily recommend tablets are either not trained in, or are uncomfortable offering the professional level of care seen in China and most of Asia today.

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How Do I Prepare For My Acupuncture Visit?


Eat at least a small meal or snack within 3 hours of your appointment

Dress in loose fitting, comfortable clothing for easy access to your forearms, and lower leg

Do not brush your tongue before your visit

Bring a list of all medication and supplements you are currently taking

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