Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture is one of the types of oriental medicine.  Acupuncture in the West contains several different therapies like moxibustion and cupping. Mostly it is a process of the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems.  These points have been recognized by the Chinese over a period of 2,000 years, and there are more than 1,000 known acupuncture points.  In the past three decades, electromagnetic research has confirmed the existence and location of these points.

Qi or vital energy flows along meridians in our bodies when we are in balance and in good health.

We provide different forms of acupuncture:
         Auricular Acupuncture

         Five-Element Acupuncture

         Japanese Style Acupuncture

         Scalp Acupuncture

         Traditional Chinese Acupuncture

Traditional Asian acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese theories on the flow of Qi. It goes through distinct channels that cover the body like the nerves and blood vessels. According to this theory, acupuncture adjusts and reestablishes the flow of Qi in the body, leading it to areas where it is insufficient and draining it from areas where it is stuck and/or superabundant.  In this way, it restores the harmonious balance of the body and its parts.

When performed by competently trained and licensed professional, acupuncture is extremely safe. All licensed acupuncturists today use individually packaged, sterile, and disposable needles.  So there is no chance of infection.

It is not like receiving an ordinary injection. Acupuncture needles are typically not much thicker than a hair, and their insertion is practically painless. But sometimes there may be some tingling, warmth, heaviness, or a feeling of the Qi moving up and down the channels.

Depending on the duration, severity, and nature of your issue you may need only a single treatment for an acute condition or more. A series of 5-10 treatments may resolve many chronic problems. Some progressive conditions may require many treatments over time.

To help reduce the number of treatments, you may be suggested with dietary modifications, specific exercise routines, relaxation techniques, self-massage, and/or Chinese herbal medicine, all of which may help to increase the efficiency of acupuncture.

Prospective patients should ask about where the practitioner must be trained. And most importantly, the practitioner’s experience in treating your specific issue.

Acupuncture is a licensed and regulated health care profession in over 40 states in the U.S. Additionally, the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) certifies both acupuncturists and Chinese herbal practitioners.

Practitioners who have passed the NCCAOM exam are entitled to have Dipl. Ac. (Diplomate of Acupuncture) after their name.

• Wear loose clothing.

• Women should not wear one piece dresses.

• Avoid wearing stockings.

• Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry, full or emotionally upset.

Relaxation is the key to a comfortable treatment. There is no need to be frightened. Ask your practitioner any questions you have so that you can get the most benefit possible from the treatment. Do not change your position or make sudden movements. If you are uncomfortable, tell your practitioner.

Patients often experience dramatic results in the first treatment but some experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms. This relief may last or some pain may return. 

In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to notice the pain diminish over the next couple of days. Generally, you should expect to feel better.

Western herbalism primarily treats diseases or symptoms, such as headaches, runny nose, menstrual pain, etc.  Whereas Chinese herbal medicine when practiced as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is based on an individual pattern diagnosis as well as disease diagnosis. This means the patient receives a custom-written herbal prescription tailored to treat both the symptom or disease and also their individual pattern. A TCM pattern identifies a person’s emotional temperament and bodily constitution as well as their signs and symptoms.

Western herbalism primarily uses single herbs or groups of herbs to treat the same symptom or disease for everyone.  TCM formulas include 6-15 herbs and include herbs addressing a person’s main symptoms as well as their particular pattern.

15 to 20% of the standard Chinese collection of the 500 ingredients originated from outside China. The Chinese have adopted and incorporated into their materia medica herbs from all over the world. These "Chinese" herbs are prescribed according to Chinese medical theory and a TCM pattern diagnosis. That is why they are called Chinese herbs.

Commonly Chinese herbal medicines are consumed as pills, tinctures, and powdered extracts for those who do not have the time or taste for traditional decoctions. Decoctions are boiled for 30 minutes to an hour or more and then strained and consumed 2-3 times per day.

Most of the medicines in the Chinese materia medica have very low toxicity compared to the regular over-the-counter Western drugs.  When they are prescribed according to a correct TCM pattern diagnosis, they should have no side effects, only beneficial healing results. If a patient experiences any discomfort while taking Chinese herbs, they should tell their practitioner to modify the formula or adjust the dose until there are no side effects.

Chinese herbal medicine treats most of the human disease. It treats acute diseases, like intestinal flu and the common cold, as well as chronic diseases, such as allergies, gynecological disorders, autoimmune diseases, chronic viral diseases, and degenerative disease due to aging.  Specifically, Chinese herbal medicine is good for promoting the body’s ability to heal and recover.

Although chronic conditions may require taking Chinese herbal medicine for a long time, however, signs that the medicine is working should be obvious to the patient and the practitioner almost from the very start.