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. In addition, several Western theories abound as to the mechanism behind acupuncture's success. Many theorists look to the connective tissue and nervous system as holding answers.
Read about recent research on connective tissue mechanotransduction responses to stretch and acupuncture.
What are the needles like?
Acupuncture needles are solid, not hollow like needles used by doctors. They are small and hair-thin and can literally be bent with your pinky.
Only sterile, disposable needles are used so there is no risk of infection. We use a needle once, then dispose of it.
US FDA Regulation of Acupuncture Needles
In 1996, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed the experimental status tag on
acupuncture needles.The FDA reclassified acupuncture needles, regulating them as it does
medical devices such as surgical scalpels and hypodermic syringes. Acupuncture needles must
now be manufactured according to single-use standards of sterility.
Does it hurt?
People experience the needling sensation differently. There are different styles of needling. 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 prod it towards homeostatic (dynamic) functioning. Often people describe their
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.
Do I have to believe in it for it to work?
No. Acupuncture works whether or not you think it will. Acupuncture is even used successfully on
animals and children. They do not understand or believe in the process yet they get better
anyway. Of course, a positive attitude helps with any type of therapy but it is not necessary to believe
in acupuncture (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.
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. As well, it is important to remember that some patients or conditions may respond to acupuncture better than others. It is crucial that a patient is involved and proactive in their quest for wellness to get the most benefit from acupuncture treatment.
How often should I be treated?
Typically I treat patients once a week. 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 acupuncture
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 come periodically for maintenance.
Does acupuncture always help?
No, but it usually does. If you do not feel any benefit after 3-5 treatments, then acupuncture
may not work on you for the specific complaint you are seeking out treatment for. Often you will find that treatment is also working on many other areas that you were not specifically seeking out improvement on. Chinese herbs can also work with acupuncture to achieve a stronger course of treatment. As well, supplementing with massage therapy can help with stress reduction and circulation to greater enhance the efficacy of our treatment strategy.
What should I wear for the treatment?
Wear (or have with you to change into) shorts and a tank top.
Does insurance cover acupuncture?
Some insurance does. You need to check with your insurance plan. I do not accept insurance, but will give you a receipt you can submit to your
insurance company for reimbursement.
| 
