About Acupuncture
Frequently Asked Questions
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1. What is acupuncture used to treat?
Musculo-skeletal pain: back pain, neck pain, stiff or swollen joints, headaches, arthritis, muscle spasms or cramps, muscle/tendon tightness or weakness *
*for all conditions, pain can be acute or chronic
Mental health and mood: anxiety, depression, ADD, bipolar, insomnia, chronic fatigue, stress-related migraines, substance abuse support
Respiratory Issues: asthma, seasonal allergies, chronic colds or bronchitis, pneumonia recovery, cough, pulmonary diseases, shortness of breath
Digestion: abdominal pain, nausea, IBS, acid Reflux, constipation, diarrhea, poor absorption, bloating, food cravings
Nervous System: after-stroke care, shingles pain, MS, bells palsy, neuropathy (even due to cancer treatment or diabetes), memory loss
Women’s Health: menopause symptoms, painful periods, PMS, infertility, low libido, pelvic pain, inability to enjoy sex, empty-nest syndrome (stress due to launching kids), new mom care, facial rejuvenation, sports medicine
Men’s Health: stress reduction, acupuncture facials for men, low libido, ED, prostate health, sports medicine
Immune System: cancer support, long covid, post-illness care, after surgery care
Resources: World Health Organization and Acupuncture Evidence Project
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2. Does acupuncture hurt?
The needles are the size of a coarse strand of human hair, so the experience of receiving acupuncture is nothing like that of getting a shot. Usually people feel a warm tingling sensation or a “zing” when the acupuncture needle is gently placed into the body. If a patient has the tendency to flinch when treated, there are many things that I can do during the treatment to relax the patient, including acupressure, coordinated breathing and calm, supportive explanations so the patient always knows what to expect.
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3. What can you expect before and after the treatment?
Wear loose clothing or bring shorts and a sports bra/tank top if you wish. Paper gowns and paper shorts are also available. Please eat a healthy snack and have some water before the treatment; try to avoid excessive caffeine. Following a patient intake, the treatment typically takes place on a massage table, but some patients might prefer chair acupuncture which is fine. After the treatment, plan to rest more than normal to let the rebalancing take effect.
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4. How long is a course of treatment?
Acupuncture works cumulatively. For acute pain (or an acute condition), two times a week for one month and then a reassessment is recommended. For chronic pain issues (or a chronic health issue), once a week for three months might be necessary. Some patients may only require one to four treatments total for a particular problem. Acupuncture is often used in conjunction with other self-care modalities to great effect.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the practice of stimulating special points on the body in order to treat various physical, mental, and emotional conditions. The practice of acupuncture in the United States encompasses ancient medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries and continues to evolve.
The special points stimulated during treatment are called acupuncture points. These points are connected by ‘meridians,’ or channels of energy that circulate through the body. This energy is often referred to as ‘Qi’ (pronounced Chee). The flow of ‘Qi’ in these channels is the foundation of good health. When this energy flow is blocked by a physical problem or even an emotional state, this can cause pain or disease.
Acupuncture points are typically stimulated with medically sterile, single-use, disposable filiform needles only slightly thicker than one strand of human hair. Alternatively, mild electrical stimulation, acupressure, or the application of heat may be used.
How does acupuncture work?
When acupuncture needles are placed in the body, neurotransmitters in the brain trigger hormonal responses. This increases the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid, while decreasing inflammation in the targeted tissue. Acupuncture works by helping the body to heal itself, much like what happens when your blood clots after a paper cut. Acupuncture brings the body back into homeostasis by regulating the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Many acupuncturists may also provide nutritional and life-style recommendations to address any constitutional health issues. In addition, they can offer breathing exercises and simple Tai Chi or spinal stretches meant to relax the patient and create a healthy glow from the inside out.
About facial acupuncture
In facial rejuvenation acupuncture, the different points on the face, neck and body are stimulated to either nourish the tissue or to drain excess fluid or heat from the tissue. The benefits of facial acupuncture include the decrease in length and depth of large wrinkles, and the elimination of fine lines, the decrease of facial swelling and acne, the firming of facial muscle tone, smaller pores, more balanced skin texture and skin tone, and a reduction in loose skin around the eyes, cheeks, chin, and neck. It is a safe procedure with minimal side-effects, the main one is a sense of deep relaxation during and after treatment, but minimal bruising can occur. Acupuncture and other acupressure techniques have been shown in research to increase production of collagen and improve muscle tone.