FAQ
Acupuncture is a comprehensive medical system developed a few thousand years ago that uses sterile, single-use, hair fine needles at specific locations on the body. The ancient Chinese believed that there is a universal life energy called Chi or Qi present in every living creature. This energy forms and sustains our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. It can be identified and measured today as bio-electromagnetism, flowing along well delineated pathways (meridians). These meridians create the link between specific sensitive points (acupuncture points) on the skin and specific illnesses or organ dysfunctions. We experience optimal health when our energy (qi), blood, and lymph is ample and circulating freely, enlivening all organs and tissues. Imagine the metaphor of rivers and streams that flow and feed into lakes and oceans. When drought, flood or blockages occur, the pathways and various forms of life that depend on the free flowing water are affected. When acupuncture points are manipulated by needles, heat, massage or electrical micro-currents, the imbalances that can eventually lead to pathology and illness, are remedied.
What is acupuncture?
In the US, attending an accredited Chinese Medicine program and obtaining a master’s degree is generally the minimum education requirement to become a practicing acupuncturist. Many go on to obtain a doctoral degree. I attended a four year Master’s program that included training in acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy, cupping, gua sha, and East Asian bodywork. Additionally, acupuncturists must pass a national exam and meet strict guidelines to practice in every state and also complete continuing education annually in order to maintain licensure.
What training is required?
This is probably the number one question most acupuncturists get. Which is understandable! When most people think of needles, the hypodermic needles that are used to draw blood or give a shot come to mind. The needles acupuncturists use are tiny in comparison. I’ve heard them compared to the size of a cat’s whisker. Is it sensation free? Nope, but it should not hurt. Sensations vary depending on the patient. Some feel absolutely nothing and others feel a tugging, pulling or dull heavy sensation. Many patients feel extremely relaxed as their nervous system starts to calm down and sometimes will fall asleep. I also practice needle free styles of acupuncture, so if needles are a concern please ask me about my needle free offerings.
Does it hurt?
During your first visit (up to 90 minutes), I will take a detailed health history intake, make a comprehensive assessment and create an individualized treatment plan. During the intake, your symptoms, potential causative mechanisms and any treatment you’ve received so far will be discussed. Diet, digestive system functioning, sleep patterns, emotional states and other pertinent information will be addressed as well. I will take your pulse, look at your tongue, and palpate your abdomen, legs, and arms to gather diagnostic information. The comprehensive assessment will result in an individualized diagnosis and treatment plan for your specific condition, which will be explained to you in detail.
On your first visit, please plan to arrive 15 minutes early in order to fill out new patient paperwork unless you filled it out online. I recommend you wear loose, comfortable clothing, but sheets are provided if you forget. Be sure to bring your insurance information and claim number (for motor vehicle accidents) with you.
The recommended number and frequency of treatments will vary from person to person and depend on a variety of things including but not limited to the condition being treated, the patients treatment goals, the patients age and overall general health, the patients willingness to make modifications to their habits as well as their comfortability with change. Generally, acute problems require more frequent treatments for a shorter period of time, whereas chronic conditions typically require a longer course of treatment.
What to expect?
Acupuncture is a complete medical system honed over a few thousand years. It can treat a wide variety of health concerns. Chinese medicine specializes in understanding women's health and the digestive system, as well as treating all manner of physical pain. It also can treat mental wellness, stress management, and seasonal allergies. The World Health Organization considers acupuncture proven to treat the following conditions:
• Digestive: Abdominal pain, Constipation, Diarrhea, Hyperacidity, Indigestion, Morning sickness, Nausea & Vomiting
• Emotional: Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Nervousness, Neurosis
• Eye-Ear-Nose-Throat: Poor vision, Tinnitis, Toothache, TMJ, Sinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis
• Gynecological: Infertility, Menopause symptoms, PMS
• Musculoskeletal: Arthritis, Muscle cramping, Muscle pain & weakness, Neck & Back pain, Fibromyalgia, Sprains, Tennis elbow, Knee pain
• Neurological: Headaches, Migraines, Parkinson’s disease, Postoperative pain, Sciatica pain, Stroke
• Respiratory: Asthma, Bronchitis, Common cold, Smoking cessation
• Others: Addiction, Insomnia, Chronic fatigue, Immune system problems, Pain control, Post operative pain, Facial pain, Adverse reactions to chemotherapy and radiotherapy
What can acupuncture treat?
Dry needling is a term often used by physical therapists and chiropractors used to describe a technique for muscle stimulation using a needle. It’s called dry needling because nothing is injected into the body with the needle.
The tool used for dry needling and acupuncture is the same. Both practices use acupuncture needles, which are solid filiform needles. However, where dry needling and acupuncture differ is the technique and theory for how and where the needles are placed. Dry needling is focused on using strong stimulation on the muscles to get them to release. Acupuncture, on the other hand, does not use strong stimulation and it is based on and using points to heal the body naturally.
Another key difference between dry needling and acupuncture is the amount of training required to administer each of these forms of treatment. Acupuncture requires significantly more training. Although it depends on the state, often it requires graduating from an accredited school and hundreds of hours of both classroom training and clinical practice experience. Dry needling, on the other hand, only requires minimal training. In Idaho, for example, physical therapists only need to complete 27 hours of classroom training to be able to administer dry needling treatment.
How is acupuncture different from dry needling?