What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture consists of the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points along pathways shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems. The Chinese have mapped these points for over 2,000 years, with more than 1,000 acu-points. In the past three decades, electromagnetic research has confirmed the existence and location of these points.

How does acupuncture work?

TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is based on the ancient Chinese theories of the flow of Qi (the life force which nourishes the body) through channels that cover the body in a similar fashion to blood vessels or nerve pathways.

The insertion of needles into acu-points may:

• Strengthen Qi where it is weak
• Move it from areas where it is stuck
• Drain it from channels where it is too abundant

Similarly, acupuncture can have the same effects on Blood (which nourishes and guides Qi) and Essence (a sort of prenatal Qi inherited from our parents). By adjusting the flow of Qi, Blood, Essence, and other vital substances in the body, acupuncture restores homeostasis in the body.

There should be no pain or disease if Qi is flowing freely through the channels and Yin and Yang energy is balanced.

Is acupuncture safe?

All licensed acupuncturists must complete a Clean Needle Technique certification and comply with the standards set forth by OSHA. In the U.S., only needles that are individually packaged, sterile, one-time-use, and disposable are permitted by law. The chance of infection or contagion is thereby extremely rare.

Do the needles hurt?

Most needles are no wider than a piece of hair and are virtually painless. You may not even notice a needle has entered your skin. On some points, there may be a very slight prick felt (that only lasts a millisecond) as the needle penetrates the skin, but nothing like getting a shot or having blood drawn.

Normal sensations that occasionally arise include tingling, warmth, heaviness, or feeling the Qi come to the surface or travel up and down the meridians. Most people find their treatments very relaxing. It is common to fall asleep or feel blissful afterwards, and most patients look forward to their next treatment.

How many acupuncture treatments will I need?

The majority of chronic complaints take 5-15 sessions to treat. Acute conditions may be relieved in less than three, while degenerative conditions or autoimmune disorders may require ongoing therapy. TCM focuses on correcting underlying imbalances. While relief of symptoms may occur quickly, correcting the imbalance generally takes longer – but the results are long-term.

How can I get faster results?

Commit to coming in for acupuncture treatment one to two times per week (or even three times a week for acute pain) for the first four weeks. If we prescribe any herbs or supplements, be sure to take them as directed. Lastly, make an effort to comply with any dietary/lifestyle changes we may recommend to you.

Coming in for acupuncture is like attending class. And being compliant with our recommendations is like doing your homework. These two things result in a fast track to an A+ in healing your condition!

Why do I feel so good after a treatment?

There are many tested theories about this. Acupuncture helps release dopamine (the “feel good” neurotransmitter) from the brain. When under constant stress, our sympathetic (“fight or flight”) nervous system is operating in near-constant overdrive. Acupuncture helps flip the switch to turn down this response and turn on the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) nervous system to get its overdue turn to run the show. The body heals much more quickly and effectively when the nervous system is in the PNS state.

My doctor doesn’t agree with this style of medicine. Who should I believe?

More than likely, your doctor hasn’t stayed up to date with all the latest evidence-based research surrounding acupuncture and its benefits. There are hundreds of double-blind placebo studies proving the effectiveness of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. And there are thousands more studies from China that have yet to be translated.

I take pills for my health conditions. What’s wrong with that?

There’s nothing inherently wrong with taking medication for health conditions. However, when you’re on many pills for different issues, it can be difficult sometimes to tell what is an actual symptom of disease and what is a side effect from medication. Many medications taken long-term can take a toll on the liver, kidneys, and sometimes digestive organs too. We don’t suggest our patients stop taking their medications without first consulting their doctor. If given permission, we can help patients taper off certain medications in a natural, supported way to minimize withdrawal and/or recurrence of symptoms.

I get cortisone shots for my chronic joint pain issues. What’s wrong with that?

Cortisone shots may give you great immediate relief of acute pain, but there’s a reason you can only get so many shots for a particular issue. The steroids themselves can lead to bone density loss and sometimes even necrotic tissue formation, which could damage the integrity of the joint you’re trying to heal.

Ready to start feeling better with acupuncture? Contact us today to set up your first session!