Some common questions about acupuncture are answered below. Call us if you have other questions or if you are interested in improving your life through acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture is an effective form of health care that has evolved into a complete and holistic medical system. Practitioners of acupuncture and Chinese medicine have used this noninvasive medical system to diagnose and help millions of people get well and stay healthy.
An acupuncturist will place fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints on the body. This activates the body’s Qi and promotes natural healing by enhancing recuperative power, immunity and physical and emotional health. It also can improve overall function and well-being. It is a safe, painless and effective way to treat a wide variety of medical problems.
During the initial exam a full health history will be taken. Questions will be asked regarding symptoms, health and lifestyle. We will also check pulses and your tongue and may conduct a physical exam. This information is then organized to create a complete, accurate and comprehensive diagnosis of where Qi has become blocked or imbalanced. After the interview process you will receive an acupuncture treatment, lasting from 30 to 45 minutes in most cases.
There are twelve pulse positions on each wrist that we will palpate. Each position corresponds to a specific meridian and organ. We will be looking for twenty-seven individual qualities that reflect overall health. If there are any problems, they may appear in the pulse. Feel free to ask what we are doing and why!
The tongue is a map of the body. It reflects the general health of the organs and meridians. We will look at the color, shape, cracks and coating on your tongue. Tongue analysis is an important part of arriving at a diagnosis!
Herbs are a powerful adjunct to acupuncture care. They are used to strengthen, build and support the body or to clear it of excess problems like a cold, fever or acute pain. Chinese herbal medicine is a very powerful and safe way to address complaints. As part of our Chinese medical education we are extensively trained in the use of medicinal herbal formulas, and are able to address many health challenges with these formulas.
Yes. In most instances children actually respond more quickly than adults and are surprisingly open to acupuncture. If your child has an aversion to needles, your acupuncturist may massage the acupuncture points. This is called acupressure or tuina.
The number of treatments will vary from person to person. Some people experience immediate relief; others may take months or even years to achieve results. Chronic conditions usually take longer to resolve than acute ones. Plan on a minimum of a month to see significant changes.
Treatment frequency depends on a variety of factors: your constitution, the severity and duration of the problem and the quality and quantity of your Qi. We may suggest one or two treatments per week, or monthly visits for health maintenance and seasonal “tune ups”.
Our initial visit is $115.00, subsequent sessions are $95.00. We are providers for all insurance companies, so if your insurance provides for acupuncture, we will charge you a copay and we will do the billing!
Insurance coverage varies from state to state. Contact your insurance provider to learn what kind of care is covered. Here are a few questions to ask:
Acupuncture is extremely safe. It is an all-natural, drug-free therapy, yielding no side effects other than feelings of relaxation and well-being. Acupuncture needles are sterile, used once, and then discarded.
Today, acupuncturists undertake four years of extensive and comprehensive graduate training in Chinese Medicine at nationally certified schools. All acupuncturists must pass a national exam and meet strict guidelines to practice in every state. Additionally acupuncturists in most states are concurrently trained as Chinese herbalists.
Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems. Below are some of the health concerns that acupuncture can effectively treat:
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