What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which aims to restore and maintain health through the stimulation of specific points on the body by needles, massage (acupressure), and/or electrical stimulation.
Traditional Chinese Medicine also includes nutrition & diet, herbs, massage, meditation, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, exercise, and bone setting (adjustments).
Does it hurt?
Patients report a mild pinching when the needles are first inserted but goes away within seconds. But most do not feel the needles at all.
What are the treatments like?
During the treatments you may feel a tingling sensation, and a sense of relaxation. Most if not all our patients usually fall asleep during the treatments.
Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to work?
No. Although it is good to have a positive outlook, it is not necessary for the treatments to work.
How big are the needles?
We use varying size of needles in our office ranging from .12 mm to .25 mm in diameter.
The needles are used one time only and disposed of.
In 1996, the FDA requires that sterile, non-toxic needles be used and labeled as a single use by qualified practitioners only.
What can acupuncture help with?
The World Health Organization (WHO, 2003) reported through evidence based acupuncture, the following conditions for which acupuncture has been proven to be an effective treatment for:
- Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever), Biliary colic, Depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke), Dysentery, acute bacillary, Dysmenorrhoea, primary, Epigastralgia, acute (in peptic ulcer, acute and chronic gastritis, and gastrospasm).
- Facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders), Headache, knee pain, low back pain, neck pain, pain in dentistry (including dental pain and temporomandibular dysfunction, periarthritis of shoulder, postoperative pain, rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, sprain, tennis elbow.
- Hypertension, essential , Hypotension, primary, leukopenia, renal colic, stroke.
- Induction of labor, correction of malposition of fetus, morning sickness, nausea and vomiting.
The following conditions are treated in our practice:
- Facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders), Headache, knee pain, low back pain, neck pain, pain in dentistry (including dental pain and temporomandibular dysfunction), periarthritis of shoulder, postoperative pain, rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, sprain, tennis elbow, and chronic pain.
What are the symptoms?
Side effects are minimal, which may include but not limited to bruising, soreness, bleeding, and sleepiness.
But overall, patients usually feel relaxed and fall asleep during the sessions.
Can I use acupuncture along with other treatments?
Yes. Actually acupuncture can be a great compliment to other treatments.
How long is the session?
Sessions may last from 15 minutes to an hour. Length of treatment depends on what condition you are coming in for and how well you respond to care. Every individual is different.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of visits required to affect change varies upon the condition, the severity, the length of the illness, the frequency of the treatments, and the patient’s response to care.
Is acupuncture covered under my insurance?
Most major insurance companies do cover acupuncture, if you are interested in acupuncture, we can verify coverage with your insurance for you.