FAQ

What is acupuncture and how does it work?

Acupuncture is an ancient healing art that has prevented and treated illness for over 3000 years.

Your body is comprised of a network of complex energy pathways called meridians.  Qi (pronounced chee) is the energy force that travels along these meridian pathways.  All living things including plants, animals water and air have Qi.  Acupuncture balances the Qi by activating the points located along the meridians.  Maintaining the smooth flow of Qi throughout your body is essential not only for treating pain and disease but also for improving your total well being.

What can you expect during treatment?  How long does it take?

You can expect to have more energy and sleep better as you achieve balance.

Since Chinese medicine treats the root of the problem, not just the symptoms, your problem may require several treatments to resolve.  Depending on your condition, treatments could last one week to several months or longer.  Typically a course of 6-10 treatments will get your health issue under control then you may come back for maintenance as needed.  The focus of my practice is to get my patients feeling better fast so they can return to a healthy lifestyle.  For best results your initial course of treatments will be scheduled closer together and then scheduled further apart as you improve.  Each person responds differently and several factors including lifestyle, constitution, exercise, diet and outlook influence the treatment outcome.

How does Qi become blocked and unbalanced?

Your flow of Qi is affected by both internal and external lifestyle factors.  Injuries, improper sleep, toxins from air, water and food take their toll on your body.  Exposure to excessive wind, dampness, and especially emotional reactions such as worry, stress, anxiety and sadness also affect the flow of Qi.  Acupuncture works very well at reducing stress and balancing the emotions.

What can acupuncture do for you?

Acupuncture treats a host of medical illnesses and brings the body back into balance to facilitate healing.  The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as an effective therapy for many medical conditions. Examples include:

Bone, Muscle, & Nervous System Disorders
Back, neck &  joint pain, headaches, Jaw pain, TMJ, migraines, sciatica, whiplash, fibromyalgia, arthritis, tendonitis, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Gastrointestinal Disorders
Nausea, indigestion, bloating, IBS, ulcers, constipation and diarrhea

Urogenital Disorders
Infertility, PMS, impotence and incontinence

Emotional Disorders
Anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia

Immune System Support
Ear, nose throat, eye disorders, allergies, asthma, colds and flu

Many other conditions not listed here are also treatable with acupuncture.  Please feel free to ask about your specific health concerns.

How does acupuncture feel?  Does it hurt?

Most of my patients find acupuncture very calming and relaxing and often fall into a restful sleep during treatments.

Acupuncture needles are sterile, disposable, flexible and very fine with a diameter about the size of a human hair.  Acupuncture needles bear no resemblance to the hollow needles used for injections. Approximately 20 acupuncture needles can fit into one hypodermic needle.  Upon insertion the needles may produce a slight pinch or no sensation at all.   Once the needle is in place, you will feel a pleasant sensation of warmth, numbness, tingling, or heaviness as the Qi moves through your meridians.  The needles are left in place for 20-30 minutes while you rest comfortably.

Why seek acupuncture for your health care needs?

• Acupuncture empowers you the individual, giving you control of your health and wellness.
• Acupuncture treats the whole person, not just the disease.
• Acupuncture complements other medical care without unpleasant side effects.
• Acupuncture is a safe, effective and affordable method of health care.
• Acupuncture activates and nurtures your body’s natural healing process.