Special Offer

Book Now

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Acupuncture is a catalyst for healing the body. This very ancient system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been in practice for more than 2000 years. Acupuncture practitioners insert extremely fine, disposable needles below the surface of the skin. This stimulates qi, the body’s cyclic energy flow (pronounced “chee” or “chi”). By balancing and redirecting qi, an acupuncture practitioner encourages the body’s natural capacity for self-healing. In turn, this improves the way the body functions.
Qi flows through the body along channels known as meridians. The body contains nearly 500 different acupuncture points located along these meridians. Modern science has actually shown that the body gives off slight electrical charges at these points. An imbalance or blockage in the flow of qi at these points can cause many ailments. Imbalances in qi flow can be caused by stress, anxiety, anger, fear, poor nutrition, and even changes in the weather. Acupuncturists concentrate on stimulating the body’s energy flow by unblocking these meridians. By restoring qi balance and flow, acupuncture allows the body to heal itself naturally, rather than through the more invasive use of synthetic drugs and injections via the bloodstream.
Acupuncture can treat a variety of conditions. Acupuncture can also affect blood pressure, circulation, the heart’s rhythm and stroke volume. It can also regulate the secretion of gastric acid and hormones and stimulate the production of red and white blood cells. Acupuncture has even been known to lower cholesterol. Through stimulation of qi, acupuncture practitioners can restore balance to the body’s internal energy system, promoting energy, good health and healing.
Acupuncture can be used safely alongside western medicine. It can also be used to alleviate the side effects of western medical treatment such as those experienced in chemo and radio therapy.
There are no contraindications between western drugs and acupuncture. In fact, acupuncture can help reduce the side effects of some medicines. You may keep taking your drugs or you may find that (with the consent of your doctor) you are able to reduce your dependency on them as a direct result of the acupuncture treatment. For example, you may be able to reduce or eliminate your use of painkillers, antidepressants or asthma medication.
Yes, acupuncture is completely hygienic. Only sterilized, disposable needles are used and Clean Needle Technique protocols are followed.
Most patients find acupuncture painless and soothing. Often, patients fall asleep during treatment. It’s natural for people who have grown up getting vaccinated to associate the extremely thin acupuncture needles with vaccination needles, which are much larger. Many of the needles I use are the width of a thick human hair. Also, to demonstrate how thin the needles are, 18 of them can fit inside a hollow bore needle. Acupuncture needles are inserted just underneath the skin. I use the kind of needles that have plastic tubes that press against the skin before the needle is inserted. Thanks to the use of the plastic tube, most patients do not feel pain at all. Patients should rest assured that I strive to minimize any discomfort through my gentle technique.
Needles may be inserted from one millimeter to one a couple of centimeters below the skin’s surface, depending on the location of the acupuncture point on the body and the condition being treated. Sometimes the needle will just simply rest on the skin. I also consider the patient’s size, age and constitution when determining how deeply the needles will penetrate the skin.
This varies with each patient. Typically needles are inserted for 15-30 minutes at a time.

The first part of any appointment is based on conversation, as I listen while the patient describes the symptoms they have been experiencing. I then ask about the patient’s medical history in order to get a feel for his or her overall health. I will also take the patient’s pulse in three different places on each wrist in order to determine how well certain organs are functioning. I also examine the patient’s tongue. The tongue’s color and coating can reveal a lot about a person’s overall health. Sometimes patients are very surprised when I am able to anticipate their symptoms.

After the consultation, I sterilize the skin and insert tiny disposable needles into certain acupuncture points on the body, depending on the patient’s condition. I generally utilize 6-25 needles per treatment, each placed in a specific location in order to optimize qi flow. After 15-30 minutes, I remove the needles. Most patients find the process very relaxing, and many fall asleep during treatment.

The first session is usually 1.5 hours. A full medical history is taken, covering all aspects of your past and current health and life style as well as your family medical history. A treatment is then given. Subsequent follow-up sessions last approximately one hour.
Depending on the condition being treated, a course of treatment can last from one week to several months, or longer. Typically, acupuncture patients begin by receiving treatments once or twice a week with me. As a patient’s condition improves, treatments become less frequent until the patient is cured of their illness. While some illnesses remain incurable, acupuncture can go a long way toward alleviating discomfort. Some patients come to me for a “tune up” a few times every year in order to maintain an optimum level of health and keep illnesses at bay.
Depending on a patient’s condition and how their body responds to acupuncture, it can take up to six treatments before the patient notices a marked change in the way they feel. Some patients feel better after one treatment; other patients need five or six treatments before they feel better.
There are techniques used that do not involve needles. I do Cupping, Moxibusion, Acupressure/Massage, Qi Gong, and Dermal Friction Technique (Gua Sha). However, the best results are obtained by using needles. In the experience of most acupuncture practitioners, regular acupuncture needles work best. I also prescribe herbal formulas that can be used without acupuncture.

There are a few Dos and Don’ts to follow before your acupuncture treatment:
Don’t eat a heavy meal right before your appointment.
However, Do make sure you have eaten a meal earlier in the day.
Don’t engage in sexual activity immediately before your appointment.
Don’t brush or scrape your tongue coating when you brush your teeth before your appointment, I will want to examine your tongue.
Don’t drink anything that may color your tongue coating before your appointment, such as coffee, soda, or juice. Spicy foods will also change the tongue’s color. However, Do stay hydrated by drinking water or tea, as neither of these affect the color of the tongue.
Do try to come to the appointment in a relaxed state of mind so as to help your body accept the treatment to it’s fullest.

Yes. Research has now verified that acupuncture stimulates immune functioning, which can increase your resistance to bacterial and viral infection. Acupuncture increases overall energy and vitality, and it helps the body respond to injury and stress. Regular, monthly treatments can help you maintain good health and a sense of well-being.