Common Questions
How does acupuncture work?
East-Asian medicine is based on the belief that your body is beautifully complex, with pathways or meridians where internal energy called Qi ("chee") flows. Trauma, stress, poor diet, and even your constitutional type can all tip both physical and emotional well-being into a state of deficiency or excess (and sometimes even both!), leading to pain, illness and a feeling of "dis - ease." Acupuncture, through a careful selection of points and techniques allows Qi to flow smoothly and purposefully, allowing individuals to reach a healthy balance once again. Along with needles, other modalities such as cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, and electroacupuncture may be used depending on your course of treatment.
Extensive Western research is being performed worldwide trying to pinpoint exactly how acupuncture works. Various theories have been proposed, including the premises that it can engage the fascial connective tissue, trigger the immune system, produce endorphins, and some of the latest research appears to show that it may be directly stimulating areas of the brain specific to the condition addressed, as with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Do you take insurance?
No, however, since more insurers are covering services as they realize the therapeutic and preventative results of acupuncture, check with your personal insurance provider. I do not bill insurance companies directly, but I will gladly give you a detailed bill with the appropriate insurance codes (ICD codes) that you can submit to your insurer.
Why try it?
Whether you feel "fine" or have a chronic illness, this medicine works to regulate our body systems and issues that we may have gotten used to over time. For example, I often have patients say, "I initially came in for low back pain and ended up having improved sleep or better digestion or gained a better overall sense of well-being." It's common for us to ignore signals our body is trying to give us because we are "too busy," "have people relying on us daily and cannot stop to worry about ourselves," or simply didn't know it was something they could do anything about and just went on dealing with it. Try it, you might love it.
How many treatments will I need?This can only be addressed once your specific condition and overall health is assessed. Generally, the more acute the problem (days or weeks), the fewer treatments you'll likely need to produce results compared to a problem which has been a part of your life for years. I like to see some change, subtle or not, by four treatments, and at that time we can decide together how to proceed. I am well aware of the time and financial constraints most of us experience and aim to keep the number of treatments to a minimum while still producing the results the patient wants. Once the main concern is corrected or at a manageable level, many patients decide to continue for monthly or seasonal wellness visits because of the distinct improvements that they have noticed in their overall health.
What should I expect at treatments?
We will always chat about how you are and the status of your particular concern. Wear clothing to allow access your elbows, knees and below. It might be necessary to have access to your abdomen or open back, so comfortably loose clothing is preferred. You will lay down on a cozy heated treatment table with soothing heat lamps for additional warmth. I will check your pulse and take a peek at your tongue, these, along with what you tell me, give important diagnostic information. I'll talk you through what sensations you might feel, such as dull, achiness at the needle sight, a sensation that refers down a body part, these are all typical responses and the most important thing is that it is comfortable to you. I rely on your feedback, so I will ask how you are feeling during the needling process to ensure the needles have achieved the intended goal. Then I will leave you to sink in. If this is a two-sided treatment, I will come back in, remove needles and you will turn to the other side where we will repeat the process. Depending on the concern and your desire, I may use cups or gua sha to relieve tension before or after needling, along with utilizing electroacupuncture.
I really can't handle needles, does it hurt?
Some people report feeling a slight prick when the needle enters the skin, but this sensation quickly dissipates. Acupuncture needles are hair-thin, gently inserted, and not hollow like needles used in vaccines or for blood draw. I work very closely with each patient to minimize any discomfort, along with using a variety of "non-insertive" techniques, such as magnets, cupping, gua sha, and acupressure that use no needles at all. I will work closely with you to deliver only that which you are comfortable with and never use needles at all if that is your preference.