Frequently asked Questions
How does acupuncture work?
Is it painful?
Is Acupuncture safe?
Do Acupuncture and moxibustion have any side-effects?
How will I feel after getting acupuncture?
How long does it take to work?
How often do I need to come in?
Why can’t it cure my symptoms in one treatment?
What kind of clothing should I wear to acupuncture appointments?
Do I need to eat before getting acupuncture?
Should I stop other medications?
What methods of payment do you accept?
When is payment due?
Do you take insurance?
How does acupuncture work?
Despite having been practiced for over 3,000 years, scientific research of the mechanism of acupuncture was started only a half century ago, first in Korea, Japan and China, then gradually in France, Germany, Russia and the other European countries. Since the USA has joined the main stream of scientific research of acupuncture for the past two decades, new discoveries and theories on its mechanism have ever been increasing every year. In spite of a great amount of research has been done all over the world, no one can yet explain the conclusive mechanism of acupuncture. There are, however, some theories that are widely accepted as quite valid to explain many different aspects of acupuncture mechanism.
In Asian Medicine the mechanism of acupuncture is described as the movement and manipulation of "qi" (vital energy) to restore harmonious flow of energy throughout the body. Much research has been done up to the present day to find scientifically proven mechanisms of action. The interior and exterior of our bodies are linked through many body systems. We all know that gentle caresses or touching a hot stove can cause very different reactions internally through the release of endorphins to relax us and ease pain, or through the release of stress hormones to wake us up quickly in case of danger. Just as such small things can cause large changes in our internal equilibrium, so can acupuncture influence both the external and internal systems of our bodies through stimulation of acupuncture points all over the body.
Is it painful?
Most people associate needles with pain and discomfort because of their experiences receiving vaccinations and shots with hypodermic needles. Hypodermic needles are hollow in the center and are much larger than the kinds of needles used in acupuncture. Acupuncture uses thin solid filiform needles that are often the width of a few human hairs and are flexible. This type of needle often causes either no discomfort or a mild discomfort when entering the skin. Patients often do not even know when a needle has been placed immediately. We are very sensitive to the comfort level of our patients, and use a very gentle technique to ensure that the experience of acupuncture is not an uncomfortable one!
Is Acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is extremely safe when performed by an appropriately trained practitioner. All inserted needles are factory sterilized, and most acupuncturists immediately dispose of them after use. A traditionally trained, licensed acupuncturist(look for the letters L.Ac. after their name) is required to undergo rigorous testing and have about 1000 hours of clinical training prior to receiving a license, and is thus well versed in safe needling techniques.
Do Acupuncture and moxibustion have any side-effects?
Usually patients experience no side-effects when receiving acupuncture. The most common minor side-effect of acupuncture is an occasional slight bruising or bleeding at the place the needle was placed. Moderate side-effects can be fainting or hematoma (large bruise). Rarely adverse events such as puncture of an internal organ have been reported, but these are usually only observed when the acupuncturist has incorrectly applied treatment. The use of moxibustion can result in external burns to the skin during the moxibustion procedure. It may leave tiny scars for long time to patient who has sensitive skin.
How will I feel after getting acupuncture?
Many patients feel one or more of the following after receiving acupuncture; pain relief, relaxation, drowsiness, "spacey", elevated mood, sleepiness, energized, tingly, or sometimes nothing at all. How a patient responds is often related to the chief concern they are getting treated for and their underlying constitution at the time of treatment. We recommend that patients do not book their appointments so they have to run out the door as soon as they are finished. We recommend patients take a few minutes to regroup after treatment, have a sip of tea or water, and make sure they are feeling alert enough to drive safely.
How long does it take to work?
The seriousness and acute or chronic status of a concern influences the amount of time that patients can expect to see some improvement. Acute diseases are often effectively treated with a small number of treatments over a short period of time, while chronic conditions are usually given a longer treatment plan. Chronic conditions are often more complex and while improvement is generally seen within a few treatments, it may take a few months before real progress is made.
How often do I need to come in?
During your first visit, we will recommend a treatment plan and give you the frequency of visits necessary for your chief concern. The frequency may depend on whether this is a new or long-standing concern, and the severity of the concern. Some patients come once per week for a few months, while other come 2-3 times per week for concerns that need frequent treatment.
Why can’t it cure my symptoms in one treatment?
There are no magic bullets. Western Medicine always has a latest and greatest treatment or wonder drug, but often they are laden with side effects. Western Medicine often has the best of intentions, and the worst of results. A good analogy to relate it to is to think of your body as a garden. If the soil is weak, the seeds sown won’t grow well. If the garden is fertilized and watered, the seeds can grow strong and bloom into healthy plants. And seeds don’t become healthy plants overnight. If we develop our soil– through proper diet, exercise, stress management, and with the help of acupuncture – the seeds of good health can come to fruition.
What kind of clothing should I wear to acupuncture appointments?
You should wear loose and non-constrictive clothing to your visits, such as t-shirts, shorts, yoga pants, tank tops and any other clothing you feel comfortable in. If we cannot reach a point, we will ask you to remove an article of clothing and will give you a sheet to drape over you to maintain your comfort and privacy. Patients often remain fully clothed for most treatments. Jeans and skin tight clothing are not recommended.
Do I need to eat before getting acupuncture?
We do not recommend patients to have an empty stomach before an acupuncture treatment. Patients who are very hungry, tired, or weak are more likely to faint than a patient who has food in their stomach. We will also not treat patients if they are drunk, violent, or need the immediate care of an emergency medicine professional. Please call 911 for any emergencies.
Should I stop other medications?
No. You should continue to follow your current physician's instructions. Please remember that acupuncture is used to complement and supplement your physician's treatments not to replace them. You should discuss this issue with your physician and acupuncturist.
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, creditcard(Visa, Master, American Express)
When is payment due?
Payment is due at the time of service.
Do you take insurance?
We can accept insurances as an in-network and out-of-network provider. To find out if your insurance will cover acupuncture, call your individual plan. Ask your plan if you have acupuncture benefits, if they will cover treatment for the health conditions you have (because sometimes they exclude reimbursement for certain conditions), if you have a co-payment that is due at the time of service, what your coinsurance amount is if you have a PPO, and if your deductible must be met first before they will pay. Ask how much your deductible is for in-network and out-of network providers, and how much has been satisfied so far. The answers to these questions will help you to get a clear understanding of what types of expenses you will be responsible for after getting treatment. We can assist you in getting answers to some of these questions, but we are not responsible for payment or non-payment by your insurance company.
Is it painful?
Is Acupuncture safe?
Do Acupuncture and moxibustion have any side-effects?
How will I feel after getting acupuncture?
How long does it take to work?
How often do I need to come in?
Why can’t it cure my symptoms in one treatment?
What kind of clothing should I wear to acupuncture appointments?
Do I need to eat before getting acupuncture?
Should I stop other medications?
What methods of payment do you accept?
When is payment due?
Do you take insurance?
How does acupuncture work?
Despite having been practiced for over 3,000 years, scientific research of the mechanism of acupuncture was started only a half century ago, first in Korea, Japan and China, then gradually in France, Germany, Russia and the other European countries. Since the USA has joined the main stream of scientific research of acupuncture for the past two decades, new discoveries and theories on its mechanism have ever been increasing every year. In spite of a great amount of research has been done all over the world, no one can yet explain the conclusive mechanism of acupuncture. There are, however, some theories that are widely accepted as quite valid to explain many different aspects of acupuncture mechanism.
In Asian Medicine the mechanism of acupuncture is described as the movement and manipulation of "qi" (vital energy) to restore harmonious flow of energy throughout the body. Much research has been done up to the present day to find scientifically proven mechanisms of action. The interior and exterior of our bodies are linked through many body systems. We all know that gentle caresses or touching a hot stove can cause very different reactions internally through the release of endorphins to relax us and ease pain, or through the release of stress hormones to wake us up quickly in case of danger. Just as such small things can cause large changes in our internal equilibrium, so can acupuncture influence both the external and internal systems of our bodies through stimulation of acupuncture points all over the body.
Is it painful?
Most people associate needles with pain and discomfort because of their experiences receiving vaccinations and shots with hypodermic needles. Hypodermic needles are hollow in the center and are much larger than the kinds of needles used in acupuncture. Acupuncture uses thin solid filiform needles that are often the width of a few human hairs and are flexible. This type of needle often causes either no discomfort or a mild discomfort when entering the skin. Patients often do not even know when a needle has been placed immediately. We are very sensitive to the comfort level of our patients, and use a very gentle technique to ensure that the experience of acupuncture is not an uncomfortable one!
Is Acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is extremely safe when performed by an appropriately trained practitioner. All inserted needles are factory sterilized, and most acupuncturists immediately dispose of them after use. A traditionally trained, licensed acupuncturist(look for the letters L.Ac. after their name) is required to undergo rigorous testing and have about 1000 hours of clinical training prior to receiving a license, and is thus well versed in safe needling techniques.
Do Acupuncture and moxibustion have any side-effects?
Usually patients experience no side-effects when receiving acupuncture. The most common minor side-effect of acupuncture is an occasional slight bruising or bleeding at the place the needle was placed. Moderate side-effects can be fainting or hematoma (large bruise). Rarely adverse events such as puncture of an internal organ have been reported, but these are usually only observed when the acupuncturist has incorrectly applied treatment. The use of moxibustion can result in external burns to the skin during the moxibustion procedure. It may leave tiny scars for long time to patient who has sensitive skin.
How will I feel after getting acupuncture?
Many patients feel one or more of the following after receiving acupuncture; pain relief, relaxation, drowsiness, "spacey", elevated mood, sleepiness, energized, tingly, or sometimes nothing at all. How a patient responds is often related to the chief concern they are getting treated for and their underlying constitution at the time of treatment. We recommend that patients do not book their appointments so they have to run out the door as soon as they are finished. We recommend patients take a few minutes to regroup after treatment, have a sip of tea or water, and make sure they are feeling alert enough to drive safely.
How long does it take to work?
The seriousness and acute or chronic status of a concern influences the amount of time that patients can expect to see some improvement. Acute diseases are often effectively treated with a small number of treatments over a short period of time, while chronic conditions are usually given a longer treatment plan. Chronic conditions are often more complex and while improvement is generally seen within a few treatments, it may take a few months before real progress is made.
How often do I need to come in?
During your first visit, we will recommend a treatment plan and give you the frequency of visits necessary for your chief concern. The frequency may depend on whether this is a new or long-standing concern, and the severity of the concern. Some patients come once per week for a few months, while other come 2-3 times per week for concerns that need frequent treatment.
Why can’t it cure my symptoms in one treatment?
There are no magic bullets. Western Medicine always has a latest and greatest treatment or wonder drug, but often they are laden with side effects. Western Medicine often has the best of intentions, and the worst of results. A good analogy to relate it to is to think of your body as a garden. If the soil is weak, the seeds sown won’t grow well. If the garden is fertilized and watered, the seeds can grow strong and bloom into healthy plants. And seeds don’t become healthy plants overnight. If we develop our soil– through proper diet, exercise, stress management, and with the help of acupuncture – the seeds of good health can come to fruition.
What kind of clothing should I wear to acupuncture appointments?
You should wear loose and non-constrictive clothing to your visits, such as t-shirts, shorts, yoga pants, tank tops and any other clothing you feel comfortable in. If we cannot reach a point, we will ask you to remove an article of clothing and will give you a sheet to drape over you to maintain your comfort and privacy. Patients often remain fully clothed for most treatments. Jeans and skin tight clothing are not recommended.
Do I need to eat before getting acupuncture?
We do not recommend patients to have an empty stomach before an acupuncture treatment. Patients who are very hungry, tired, or weak are more likely to faint than a patient who has food in their stomach. We will also not treat patients if they are drunk, violent, or need the immediate care of an emergency medicine professional. Please call 911 for any emergencies.
Should I stop other medications?
No. You should continue to follow your current physician's instructions. Please remember that acupuncture is used to complement and supplement your physician's treatments not to replace them. You should discuss this issue with your physician and acupuncturist.
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, creditcard(Visa, Master, American Express)
When is payment due?
Payment is due at the time of service.
Do you take insurance?
We can accept insurances as an in-network and out-of-network provider. To find out if your insurance will cover acupuncture, call your individual plan. Ask your plan if you have acupuncture benefits, if they will cover treatment for the health conditions you have (because sometimes they exclude reimbursement for certain conditions), if you have a co-payment that is due at the time of service, what your coinsurance amount is if you have a PPO, and if your deductible must be met first before they will pay. Ask how much your deductible is for in-network and out-of network providers, and how much has been satisfied so far. The answers to these questions will help you to get a clear understanding of what types of expenses you will be responsible for after getting treatment. We can assist you in getting answers to some of these questions, but we are not responsible for payment or non-payment by your insurance company.
