FAQ
Is acupuncture painful?
Acupuncture needles are about the size of a hair and very flexible, nothing like the syringes used at the doctor’s office. Patients usually do not feel anything when the needle is inserted, but some report a slight pinching sensation. After the needle is inserted, it is common to feel a slight ache or traveling sensation around the point and it is considered a good reaction to the treatment. If for any reason during your treatment you become uncomfortable, it is important to let your practitioner know.
What should I expect during my first acupuncture appointment?
At your first acupuncture appointment, you will begin by sitting down with the practitioner to discuss the details of your main problem, as well as an overview of the rest of your body. Because East Asian medicine is a holistic system, it views the body as a whole, interconnected and interacting unit. By asking questions about general health and well being as well as mental and emotional tendencies, the practitioner is able ensure the treatment is the best one for you. Suggestions about diet, exercise and stress management may also be offered. During the treatment, you will be lying in a comfortable position. A typical treatment includes the insertion of between 6-14 needles that are retained for 15-45 minutes while you relax. The number of needles and retention time vary depending on the condition being treated and the needle tolerance of the patient. Other modalities that may be included are cupping, moxibustion or gua sha.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments you will need varies a great deal between clients and is based off of a number of factors. Some clients only need two or three visits to alleviate their symptoms, but five to ten are usually needed to get rid of any chronic issues. The factors considered include how long the complaint has been going on, whether it is acute or chronic, severe or mild and also how proactive the patient has been in their personal wellness. A treatment plan will be discussed during your first visit so you will know what to expect.
How old is acupuncture?
The Chinese and other East Asian peoples have been using acupuncture to re-establish, promote and maintain wellness for about 2,500 years. Stone needles were used in the beginning, and later bronze, gold and silver needles. Sterile, single-use stainless steel needles are the standard needles used today. The first medical explanation of acupuncture was The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, which dates from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE to 220 ACE). This text outlines the main beliefs of natural law and the movements of life: yin and yang, the five elements, the organ system and the meridian network along which acupuncture points are located.
What can acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture treats a wide variety of health and wellness concerns. While it is most popular for its effects on relieving pain, it also treats fatigue, sleep disorders, arthritis, PMS, allergies, digestive disorders, addictions and asthma.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has a list of several conditions which they consider treatable by acupuncture and herbal medicine.
| Musculoskeletal/ Neurological
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Digestion
Emotional/Mental
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Reproductive/ Gynecological
Respiratory/ENT
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Other
Addictions/ Habits
…and many more.
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