Frequently Asked Questions

Does acupuncture hurt?

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine (approx .2 mm); they feel nothing like a hyperdermic needle doctors use for injections. The patient generally does not feel the needle being inserted. What you may feel is a mild dull sensation as the needle touches the energy of the point.

How long are the needles left in?

Once needles are inserted, they are generally left in for approximately 20 minutes. This, of course, varies depending on the patient and the condition being treated.

Are the needles sterile?

Yes. All needles used are individually packaged, sterile, and disposed of after single use.

How long are treatments?

An initial visit will last approximately 1 to 1.25 hours. This session is dedicated to fact finding and evaluation/consultation. During this time, there will be a detailed inquiry into the nature of the main complaints. There will also be questions regarding past medical history, family medical history, systems of the body, and a physical examination. The examination consists of palpating the pulse at the radial artery for approximately 30 minutes, palpation of the abdomen, and specific acupuncture points on the body, as well as inspecting the tongue. Once this information is synthesized, an integrated diagnosis and treatment plan will be determined which encompasses the patient's chief complaints as well as overall health, well-being and vitality. On the second visit, the acupuncture treatments will begin which consists of inserting fine needles painlessly into the skin surface designed to address the imbalances discovered on the initial vist. Acupuncture sessions last approximately 40 minutes. In addition to acupuncture, an herbal formula may be recommended, as well as nutrition and dietary suggestions.

How many treatments are needed?

The number of treatment needed varies from patient to patient. Factors to be considered are the severity of the disease, length of disease, patient lifestyle, patient compliance, etc. Typically, treatments are given once per week, but it is often recommended for many to begin with a short duration of two treatments per week. As the patient improves, visits are reduced to once every ten days, two weeks, once a month, and so on. While Chinese medicine is an internal system of medicine capable of addressing current disorders, it is also a preventative system of medicine. Thus, it is advisable for those patients who are not manifesting illness to come in for periodic check-ups and maintenance, as the diagnostic tools utilized can reveal future disorders long before it manifests itself as visible symptoms.

Can acupuncture treatment help with non-physical problems?

Yes. Chinese medicine views the body, mind, and spirit as an interrelated whole. Thus, disorders of any one of these three will produce disorders in the others. As is commonly the case, mental and emotional stresses and imbalances precede physical symptomatology. Thus, it is advisable to address non-physical problems at an early stage. By doing so, we are treating the non-physical and physical alike.

May Chinese medicine be used with medication and other medical care?

Chinese medicine may certainly be used in conjunction with other medical care. Patients should always provide information as to what medications or medical care they are employing. This will be taken into account. Furthermore, as acupuncture treatment progresses, the need for certain drugs typically decreases and it may be appropriate to reduce or discontinue medication (with consent of patient's treating physician).

Will acupuncture benefit the skeptic?

Yes. Acupuncture is not a placebo. Its effects will be noticeable even in the skeptic.

Is acupuncture effective on children?

Yes. Often times children respond quicker than adults to acupuncture and herbal medicine. Many respond to the use of moxa alone or with the simple contact of needles without insertion. There are also special pediatric acupuncture devices which merely tap the skin surface and are quite painless.

Cancellation policy:

Patients needing to cancel or reschedule an appointment must provide at least 24 hours notice. In the absence of an emergency, the patient will be charged the full fee for not keeping the scheduled appointment.