Frequently Asked Questions
What is Acupuncture & Asian Medicine?
Asian medicine is one of the oldest continuously practiced systems of medicine, dating as far back as five thousand years. Asian medicine is based on the Daoist belief that we live in a universe in which everything is interconnected. The mind, body, and spirit are not viewed separately, but as parts of an integrated energetic system. Similarly, organs and organ systems are viewed as interconnected structures that work together to keep the body functioning properly.
Many of the concepts emphasized in Asian medicine have no true counterpart in Western medicine. One of these concepts is qi (pronounced "chee"), which is considered a vital force within the body (and in the universe in general) that is responsible for controlling the workings of the human mind and body. Qi flows through the body via channels, or pathways, which are called meridians. There are many meridians: 12 primary meridians, which correspond to specific organs, organ systems or functions; eight secondary meridians; and many smaller collateral channels that weave the larger channels into an interconnected whole. Imbalances in the flow of qi cause illness, and correction of this flow restores the body to balance.
Acupuncture is one modality that falls under the larger umbrella of Asian medicine. Acupuncture utilizes the insertion of very thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body to influence the flow of energy and restore balance. Other modalities within the scope of Asian medicine work in the same way.
What Can Acupuncture and Asian Medicine Treat?
Asian medicine is a complete medical system that is capable of diagnosing and successfully treating a wide range of conditions including, but not limited to, the following:
• Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Disorders such as sinusitis, allergies, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and
sore throat.
• Circulatory Disorders such as high blood pressure, poor circulation, and anemia.
• Gastrointestinal Disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colitis, constipation, diarrhea,
gastritis, abdominal bloating, and hemorrhoids.
• Gynecological / Genitourinary Disorders such as PMS, irregular or painful menstruation,
endometriosis, menopausal symptoms, chronic bladder infections, complications of pregnancy,
morning sickness, kidney stones, impotence, and infertility.
• Immune Disorders such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and allergies.
• Emotional and Psychological Disorders such as stress, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
• Musculoskeletal and Neurological Disorders such as arthritis, neuralgia, sciatica, back pain,
tendonitis, bursitis, headaches and migraines, sprains, and muscle spasms.
• Respiratory Disorders such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, colds, and flu.
• Acupuncture also treats the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, diabetes, symptoms of
Parkinson’s disease, dermatological disorders, and aids in weight control.
• Acupuncture is also often used as a preventative medicine to help prevent disease and
promote health, energy, and vitality.
What can I expect during an acupuncture session?
Your first appointment will be 1.5 hours in length and will include a full review of your health history and current complaint(s) as well as an acupuncture treatment. Before administering your first treatment, I will perform an Asian medical exam that includes the taking of your pulses (3 on each wrist), the examination of your tongue, and the palpation of some of the energetic channels on your body.
Acupuncture treatments most often incorporate acupoints located on the arms from the elbow down, and on the legs from the knees down. Therefore, it is advised that you wear loose, comfortable clothing with easy access to these areas of your body. Acupuncture points on the back, stomach, scalp, and ear may also be included. It is recommended that you eat a small meal or snack 1 – 2 hours before receiving an acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture is an extremely relaxing and rejuvenating experience! Acupuncture needles are very thin – about the width of a human hair – and most people do not experience pain upon the insertion of a needle. There are a variety of other common sensations reported such as a feeling of heat, itchiness, distention, heaviness, or a tugging sensation.
Follow-up appointments last one hour and include a brief update on your condition, as well as an acupuncture treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
There is no easy answer to this question. In general, you can expect that the longer you have been experiencing a certain condition or health concern, the longer it will take to resolve. A good range to keep in mind is that you will likely require between 5 and 15 treatments. In general, an acute and/or new concern will take less time to resolve. For example, if you hurt your shoulder playing tennis and start treating the pain with acupuncture right away, you can expect the pain to resolve within a few treatments. For more chronic, long-term concerns, you can expect that a longer course of treatment will be required.
Remember to keep in mind that acupuncture is not a “magic bullet” cure, and that a commitment is required to receive the immense benefits that this type of medicine has to offer. I like to use the example of antibiotics – something with which most everyone is familiar. If you have an infection that requires the use of antibiotics, you will begin the medication and likely not see any reduction in symptoms until the level of medicine has built up in your system to the point that it begins to be noticeably effective, though the antibiotic is at work from the moment you take the first dose. It is also necessary to continue taking the medication for the entire prescribed time period – long after the symptoms disappear – so the infection is completely cleared and does not return.
Acupuncture works in a similar way. Often it will take between 3 and 5 treatments to see a very significant reduction in symptoms, and it is often necessary for you to continue to receive treatments for a number of weeks after your symptoms disappear to address the root condition that was causing the symptoms. After your body’s balance has been fully restored, monthly or seasonal treatments are ideal for maintaining long-term wellness.
Why should I see a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) instead of an MD or chiropractor for acupuncture?
Acupuncture and Chinese medical diagnosis take many years to fully learn and master. A professional with the designation of "Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.)" has received rigorous graduate-level training over a period of 3 or 4 years (3000 classroom hours or more), spent hundreds of hours in a supervised clinical setting, and passed a series of board exams. Compare this amount of training to the 100 to 300 hour courses that allow a professional without the designation of "L.Ac." to say that they practice acupuncture.
A professionally licensed practitioner of Chinese medical arts, including acupuncture, that devotes a full-time practice to treating patients with these tools will be able to offer a much more safe, skillful, and therapeutic approach.
