Frequently
Asked Questions
•
What are the needles like?
• Does it hurt?
• Do I have to believe in Acupuncture for it to work?
• Do you use herbs?
• How do herbs differ from western medicine?
• Can I take Chinese herbs when I am on medication?
• How quickly can I expect to feel better?
• How often should I be treated?
• Does acupuncture always help?
• What should I wear for the treatment?
• Does insurance cover acupuncture?
What
are the needles like?
Only sterile, disposable needles are used so there is no risk of
infection. We use a needle once, then, dispose of it.
Acupuncture needles are small and hair-thin. They are solid, not
hollow like needles used by doctors. The end of an acupuncture
needle is smooth and rounded. 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.
Acupuncture needles are so thin it's as if they can glide through
the spaces between the individual cells of the body.
Does
it hurt?
People experience needling differently. There are different styles
of needling, but I use a gentle needling technique. Acupuncture
needles I insert are rarely described as painful, and can be
quickly adjusted if the patient does feel any discomfort. If any
sensation is experienced during insertion, it is often compared to
a mosquito bite and disappears very quickly. Once the needles are
inserted, they may be manipulated to obtain a mild "Qi" sensation.
This is how an acupuncturist engages the energy in your body in
order to help balance it. Often people describe their sensations as
warming, heavy, numb or tingling. I ensure that my clients are very
comfortable so that they can relax while the needles are in
place.
Do I have to believe in it for it to work?
No. Acupuncture works whether or not you think it will. Acupuncture
is even used successfully on animals and children. 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 (or to feel it working) for it
to work.
Do
you use herbs?
Yes, although my primary training is as an acupuncturist, I have
also been trained in herbal medicine, and sometimes use herbal
formulas to support the acupuncture treatment.
How
do herbs differ from western medicine?
Chinese herbal formulas tend to be much gentler than western
medicines, and work to not only help relieve symptoms, but to help
return the body to balance and equilibrium, so that herbs will not
be needed further. That is why we often modify the herbs as
treatment continues, since the body starts to shift towards being
healthier, and therefore the herbs are modified to meet the
changing needs of the body.
Can
I take Chinese herbs when I am on medication?
It depends on the medications you are taking. This would have to be
evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
How
quickly can I expect to feel better?
In general, I tell my patients they should start to feel the
benefits from acupuncture in 2-3 treatments. If the problem is
acute, sometimes improvement is felt after 1 treatment, and may
only need 3-5 treatments to resolve. If the problem is chronic and
long term, it may take a many treatments to help resolve.
How
often should I be treated?
Please go to "The Cumulative Effects' Page
Does
acupuncture always help?
No, but it usually does. If you do not feel any benefit after 7-8
treatments, then acupuncture may not work for you.
What
should I wear for the treatment?
Just wear loose fitting comfortable clothing. Gowns are provided if
an inaccessible area needs to be treated.
Does
insurance cover acupuncture?
Some
insurance does.
More and more insurance companies are covering acupuncture as an
alternative. Some common questions to ask when inquiring
about your acupuncture coverage:
1. How many treatments do I get?
2. Does this number include any other therapies, i.e.
chiropractic, naturopathic?
3. What is my deductible?
4. How much does the insurance company actually pay?
5. What is my co-pay?
I currently accept most insurance.
