What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese theories of the flow of Qi (Energy/Oxygen) and Xue (Blood) through channels or meridians that run throughout the body very similar to the nervous and circulatory system. Acupuncture itself is the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points that lay on these meridians. These points have been proven effective throughout time for specific problems or diseases. In acupuncture, there are no side effects. It is merely a tool to allow the body to heal itself.

Does it hurt?
Most people feel nothing, an Acupuncture needle cannot be compared to a syringe needle at all. Syringe needles are quite large, are hollow (to pull liquids in and out of the body) and are administered into arteries. Acupuncture needles are solid and as thin as one piece of hair. In Acupuncture, we administer needles with caution, avoiding arteries and nerves. Acupuncture is mostly painless, but since a stimulus needs to be obtained, you may feel a heaviness, distention, tingling or electrical sensation around the needle or traveling up and down the meridian. Any kind of discomfort that is made from the stimulation of the needle disappears in seconds.

Are the needles clean?
Acupuncture needles are pre-sterilized, individually packaged and disposable. Thus assuring there is no transmission of communicable disease from patient to patient.

How does Acupuncture work?
In Chinese Medicine, each organ has a set of symptoms (ie. headaches, insomnia, anxiety, low energy, etc) that will manifest when that organ is “out of balance”. Each organ also has a meridian or pathway. Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles along pathways that send a signal back to the organ rebalancing it. When the organ is back into balance, the symptoms disappear.

Do I have to believe in Acupuncture for it to work?
No. Acupuncture is used successfully on cats, dogs, horses and other animals. These patients do not understand or believe in this treatment, but that does not prevent them from getting better.

What is Electrostimulaton Acupuncture and some of the other Chinese medicinal practices I have heard of, like Cupping and Moxibustion?
In addition to the basics of Acupuncture, there is Electrical Acupuncture. Electrical Acupuncture is thepractice of small clips hooked on to certain needles during an Acupuncture treatment, these clips are connected to an electrical source that generates a light pulse of electricity. This runs through the needle into the muscle, pathway, or most importantly the circulation. This technique is used to relax a tense muscle, move the Qi and blood faster within the meridian or move the Qi and blood in the local area to relieve pain. Cupping is another traditional practice where the practitioner uses suction cups to move blood or phlegm stagnation, typically in the office we use this for back pain or chest congestion. Moxibustion is an herb called, Ai Ye, which is burnt over certain points to move Qi or blood, this can be used for many things, pain, diarrhea, to warm the body or to turn a breech baby right!

How many treatments do I need?
That depends upon the duration, severity and nature of each individual’s complaint. Generally three to fifteen treatments are adequate for the majority of illness. Acute conditions may require only a single treatment and some chronic issues may require a whole series of treatments.

What criteria should one use in choosing an acupuncturist?
Look for the abbreviations L.Ac., O.M.D., D.O.M or Dipl. Ac. after the practitioners name. All of these abbreviations are similar in meaning. Chinese Medicine as a system is extremely complicated and extensive. It is not just a collection of techniques that can be added to some other health care profession. There are many MD's that are becoming licensed to do Acupuncture. Although, I think it is wonderful to familiarize themselves with this ancient medicine, I do not believe that in a short seminar they can really understand the medicine completely. Just as one does not call an electrician to fix their plumbing, one should not see their Western MD for Eastern treatment. There are so many wonderful things about both medicines, one should blend the two with their respective practitioners. Only seek treatment from professionally trained and qualified practitioners of Chinese Medicine.