Information for patients 

Q: How does acupuncture work?

A: Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points known to be effective in resolving different health problems.  Modern Western science can not yet explain how acupuncture works, and yet it has been shown empirically effective over thousands of years to restore health.  As acupuncture grows in popularity, an increasing number of scientific studies are underway to provide evidence of its effectiveness and elucidate its mechanisms in Western scientific terms. 

In Oriental Medicine it is said that there is a subtle energy that vitalizes the body and is known as Qi (pronounced “chee”).  Acupuncture adjusts the flow of this vital energy, clearing areas where its flow is impeded, reducing it where it is in excess, and drawing it into areas where it is insufficient.  In this way, acupuncture reestablishes balance throughout the body, and through this balance, the body is able to heal itself. 

Q: Who can benefit from acupuncture treatment?

A: Acupuncture is beneficial to people of all ages and all stages of wellness or disease.  At any stage of life the human body is able to move towards a state of greater balance and harmony, providing improved health and well-being.  People suffering from a wide range of disorders can gain relief from their suffering very readily using acupuncture. 

Many people receive acupuncture treatment as a way to ensure that their body will continue to maintain good health and balance.  It is absolutely not necessary to wait until you have a complaint before receiving acupuncture treatment.  One of the great strengths of this approach is its ability to ward off disease by resolving the effects of everyday stress that pulls the body gradually out of balance.  A symptom generally arises as a last-stage effect of a long term accumulation of stresses and imbalances in the body.  Western Medicine is satisfied by the removal of symptoms.  In Oriental Medicine, elimination of the symptom is just one piece of the overall approach.  The greater value is in using acupuncture to bring the body to optimal wellness and keeping it there. 

Q: Can children be treated with acupuncture?

A: Children are often treated with acupuncture, massage and herbs.  Many children are comfortable with acupuncture needles, which are very fine and painlessly inserted.  In the treatment of children a small number of needles are used.  Children respond very well to Oriental Medicine and it can help them through the common childhood illnesses in a way that supports their ongoing growth and health. 

Q: Is acupuncture good for the elderly?

A: Using acupuncture, elderly patients are able to gain tremendous support, increased vitality, and reduction or elimination of unwanted symptoms.  Very often elderly patients experience not being taken seriously when presenting with physical or mental/emotional conditions that are common at this stage of life.  They are told it is normal to have these conditions as we age.  Using acupuncture, many of these so-called “normal” conditions can be alleviated in the elderly.  A body at any age can be brought to greater balance and harmony, and this is no less true as we grow older.   

Q: Can pregnant women receive acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine?

Acupuncture and herbs have been used for over 2,000 years to treat pregnant women.  There are a number acupuncture points and selected herbs that are contraindicated during pregnancy.  As long as you work with a qualified practitioner, acupuncture and herbs can help relieve various symptoms occurring during pregnancy, including morning sickness, and provide benefit to the developing fetus.  Lactating mothers can also take herbal medicine safely.  In fact, small babies are sometimes treated with herbs by supplying those herbs to the mother, who then makes them available to the baby through her breast milk. 

Q: Is acupuncture safe?

A: When performed by a licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture is extremely safe.  All needles used are sterile, disposable and used only once.  There is virtually no chance of infection occurring as a result of acupuncture treatment.  The needles are generally inserted from one quarter to one half inch in depth and retained in position for 15-30 minutes.  Needles never touch the organs but work within the superficial layers of skin and musculature of the body.  Blood vessels are flexible and tend to move aside when the fine needles are inserted.  In some cases a small blood vessel may be punctured and a small bruise may appear for a few days after treatment.  Occasionally, patients experience a slight light-headedness immediately after treatment which resolves within minutes. 

Q: It is painful?

A: Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, and their insertion is virtually painless.  In many cases you will not even know that the needles are in place.  Once the needles are inserted, they are manipulated gently and at this time there may be a characteristic sensation of tingling, heaviness, or movement of energy along the meridian. 

Trigger point release is a special form of needling that involves the stimulation of muscles in spasm to release.  It is extremely effective in clearing muscle tension, whether from stress or injury.  The sensations associated with this type of needling are unique and more pronounced.  A trigger point is a tight band within a muscle and it is stimulated to cause the muscle to relax.  In the process, the muscle will “twitch” as it’s releasing.  This is a very unusual sensation and it can be momentarily painful.  The muscle will also have a characteristic “soreness” for about 24 hours after trigger point release.  I will always consult with you before utilizing this form of needling, to explain its benefits and why I’m recommending it for you. 

Q: How many treatments will I need?

A: The number of treatments required depends on the nature of your complaint.  For an acute condition, a single treatment may be sufficient to resolve it.  A series of four to ten treatments is found to be effective for many common complaints.  Some chronic conditions may require many treatments over time.   

Adjunct therapies and self-care techniques can be used to accelerate your progress and reduce the number of treatments required.  This may include herbs, dietary modifications, nutritional supplementation, specific exercises, meditation and relaxation techniques, as well as self- massage or home administration of moxibustion. 

It is recommended that you seriously consider including regular acupuncture “maintenance” in your health care program.  By receiving occasional treatments to maintain balance in the body, you can avoid developing serious and debilitating symptoms in the future and sustain greater vitality.  Some people receive monthly treatment to stay in balance.  At minimum, four treatments a year at the change of seasons are very effective in supporting the immune system and keeping you healthy.   

I will work with you to look at the most cost effective way to heal your condition and maintain your health, and make recommendations in accordance with your financial and time requirements. 

Q: Are there different styles of acupuncture?

A: There are many different styles of acupuncture.  Over time, as acupuncture spread throughout Asia, the styles diverged based on different cultures and experiences.  Also, it was very common in China and throughout Asia to have family lineages.  These families typically developed an emphasis on one approach over another, as specific branches of treatment were more developed within that lineage.  All of this knowledge and experience is becoming available to us in the West.  Therefore, different practitioners may utilize very different styles.  Ideally, any of these approaches will have the capacity to treat your body and restore balance. 

In my practice I focus on Classical Chinese Acupuncture and what is known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a more modern derivative of the classical approach.  Additionally, I work extensively with Japanese Acupuncture as taught by Kiiko Matsumoto, and with the Acupuncture Physical Medicine approach developed by Dr. Mark Seem.  Each has its own strengths and I will apply the appropriate style for your condition and temperament. 

Auricular acupuncture has become widely known and involves treatment of points on the outer surface of the ear for complaints throughout the body.  It is most known for its use in supporting patients who are quitting smoking or other forms of substance abuse, as well as in regulating appetite for those working on weight loss.  There are many other uses for auricular acupuncture.  I utilize auricular acupuncture when appropriate, often as an adjunct to body acupuncture. 

Q: What do I need to do to prepare for acupuncture treatment?

A: The best thing to do is to make sure you have eaten within 2-4 hours prior to your treatment.  Do not come for treatment on an empty stomach.  It’s also best to avoid treatment immediately after a heavy meal.  Also, do not drink alcohol prior to treatment. 

Q: What is Chinese herbal medicine used for?

A:  Chinese herbal formulas are used for a wide range of disorders, from the common cold and flu to allergies, indigestion, morning sickness, insomnia and hot flashes.  Herbal formulas are often recommended in combination with your acupuncture treatment to increase effectiveness and accelerate progress.  They can be taken at home and help to reduce the number of treatments required to resolve a condition. 

Q: How are Chinese herbs taken?

A: The most common way of taking Chinese herbs has traditionally been through decoctions.  A tailored blend of raw medicinal herbs (made up of leaves, flowers, twigs, roots and barks) is cooked into a “tea” and then consumed twice daily.  Chinese herbal teas tend to taste very bitter due to their medicinal ingredients.  This is the most potent form of administering herbal medicine. 

Herbs can also be ground into a powder and mixed in water for consumption.  These taste similar to the teas but save the time of preparing a decoction for those with limited time.   

Tableted herbs are also available and are the most convenient to administer.  This is also the form of choice for those unable to tolerate the taste of herbs.  When pre-tableted, the formula tends to approximate your condition rather than being designed specifically for you.