Frequently Asked Questions

• How old is Chinese Medicine?
• How does it work?
• What are the needles like?
• US FDA Regulation of Acupuncture Needles
• Does it hurt?
• Do I have to believe in Acupuncture for it to work?
• Do you use herbal medicine and supplementation?
• 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?
• Will your therapies always help?
• What should I wear for the treatment?
• Does insurance cover acupuncture?

How old is Chinese Medicine?

Chinese medicine goes back over 3,000 years. It is the oldest continuous medical system in the world. Today modern hospitals in the Far East have integrally blended traditional energetic medicine with modern science.

How does it work?

Chinese medicine uses the theory that energetic pathways (meridians) traverse the body and carry Qi, which is most easily described as "intrinsic energy". By manipulating these pathways, the doctor can help to nurture the body back to health by helping resolve energy imbalances and create proper flow of messages through the meridians.

These pathways can be influenced in many ways such as: acupuncture, acupressure, massage, herbal therapy, bioenergetic feedback, tai chi and more. Each person is evaluated for the most appropriate treatment for them.

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.

US FDA Regulation of Acupuncture Needles

Does it hurt?

Everyone experiences needling differently. There are different styles of needling. I modify each treatment to the individual patient so as to eliminate any discomfort. Also, for those who are squeamish to needles, I can use acupressure, herbal medicine and bioenergetic stimulation. All of these are NO-needle techniques that can accomplish similar results.

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 take great care to make my clients 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.

Do I have to believe in it for it to work?

No. Energy Medicine works whether or not you think it will and much scientific research has been done to prove this. My therapies have even been 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 this form of medicine (or to feel it working) for it to work.

Since positive expectations and belief in a particular therapy help to increase therapeutic results, I encourage you to raise any concerns or doubts you may have about acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. I'd like to help you to better understand acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine so that you may have the most positive healing experience possible. You are invited to contact me today, and I will personally respond to any questions or comments promptly.

Do you use herbal medicine and supplementation?

Yes, although my I am not a nutritionist, I have also been trained in herbal medicine and nutritional supplementation. I often use herbal formulas and well documented supplements as part of therapy. For extensive nutritional therapy, I will often refer my patients to colleagues who I have worked with for years that can balance the use of Chinese medicine with their nutritional protocols.

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 in 9-15 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?

Typically I treat patients 2 to three times per week initially. If the condition is acute and painful, I may want to do treatments 2-3 times per week for the first couple of weeks. The benefits of treatments tend to hold longer as you receive treatments, so what typically happens is that my patients start to need to see me less and less, so after a while they only come only periodically for maintenance.

Will your therapies always help?

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. Please see our tab on insurance and fees for more information.