Frequently Asked Questions

Does acupuncture hurt?

Acupuncture is virtually painless. Needles are extremely thin and slide through skin and tissues easily. When needling into painful or tender areas you might experience some slight discomfort. This discomfort is brief and soon passes, at which time you may experience a sensation of tingling or warmth. Many patients experience a state of deep relaxation or even fall asleep.

Is acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture is a very safe therapy and there are very few acupuncture safety incidents on record, in either the U.S. or China. We only use sterile, one-use, disposable needles, to ensure that there is no possibility of infection.

How does acupuncture work?

Traditional Chinese theory holds that by needling certain points on your body, an acupuncture practitioner can adjust the flow of 'qi', or subtle essences in your body. Once we achieve this proper, balanced flow, your body heals itself naturally and easily.

A modern view of this process is that your body responds to needling through activation of self-healing mechanisms and restoration of homeostasis. This response includes a release of physical, and emotional stress, relaxation of muscle shortening and contracture, activation and control of immune and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, acceleration of tissue healing, and pain relief.

The involvement of your cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, central and peripheral nervous systems result in systematic healing of your whole body, in addition to local healing of symptoms. With reduced stress and restoration of homeostasis, your body is able to make full use of its innate self-healing abilities.

How often should I get acupuncture?

This depends on your individual condition, health goals, time, and budget. One of the great benefits of acupuncture is that it promotes health rather than just fighting disease, meaning that it is beneficial even in the absence of illness. You might choose to come in until your current complaint is no longer a concern, until all your old recurring issues have been resolved, or to receive a seasonal, monthly, or weekly health tune-up.

How many sessions do I need for treatment?

The number of treatments you will need depends on the nature of your complaint and your overall state of health. To provide an example: a young person in excellent health with a recent sprain may need only 1-3 treatments for complete recovery, while an older person with a persistent, chronic condition of many years will likely need a longer course of treatment in order to gain results. We will discuss probable treatment duration as part of your consultation.

Are Chinese herbs safe?

Our herbs are purchased from large companies of good reputation, are preservative free, and are tested for heavy metals, pesticides, microorganisms, and other contaminants.

Your particular complaint, body type, general heath condition, and current medications are all taken into careful consideration as part of herbal treatment. Unlike herbal products bought at health food or grocery stores, or obtained from practitioners not certified in Chinese Medicine, our herbal formulas are not simply single herbs or recipes applied symptomatically, but are individualized prescriptions based on your differential diagnosis, a process with written case records spanning two thousand years.

What conditions are treated with acupuncture and Chinese Medicine?