Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Chinese Medicine?
Chinese medicine goes back over 3,000 years.
How does it work?
Chinese Medicine uses tiny needles to access and activate Qi (pronounced "chee" - most closely translated into Western thought as "vital energy", which helps nurture the body back to health by helping resolve energy imbalances.
What are the needles like?
Acupuncture needles are solid, not hollow, and are small and hair-thin. Only sterile, disposable needles are used, so there is no risk of infection. We use a needle once, then dispose of it.
Does it hurt?
People experience the needling sensation differently. There are different styles of needling. I needle most often in the Japanese style which means a very gentle insertion of the needle, shallow and just under the skin, allowing the Qi to rise to the needle. Acupuncture needles are rarely described as painful, and can be quickly adjusted if the patient feels any discomfort. If any unpleasant 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 and biochemical responses in your body in order to balance it. People have described the Qi sensations as warming, heavy, numb, or tingling. I take great care to make my patients very comfortable so that they can relax while the needles are in place. The more you can relax during an acupuncture treatment, the better the results. Many people even fall asleep during treatment.
Following treatment, it is common to feel a tremendous sense of relaxation and calm.
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 many treatments to help resolve it.
How often should I be treated?
Typically, I treat patients once a week. If the condition is acute and painful, we may want to do treatments 2 times per week for the first couple of weeks. The benefits of acupuncture treatments are cumulative and tend to hold longer as you receive treatments so that treatments can be spaced out further. Generally, as the issue resolves, treatments are reduced and then discontinued, however, some patients prefer to come in for periodic "tune-ups."
Does acupuncture always help?
Not always, but it usually does. If you do not feel any benefit after 4-6 treatments, then acupuncture may not work for you.
What should I wear for the treatment?
Just wear loose-fitting clothes that can be easily rolled up above your elbows and knees.
Does insurance cover acupuncture?
Some insurance does. You need to check with your insurance plan. I do not accept insurance.