Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do acupuncture needles look like?
A: Acupuncture needles are hair-thin and come in a variety of lengths. They come in sterile packages, are single-use and discarded as medical waste after your treatment.
Q: Does it hurt?
A: Most patients report that the insertion of the needles is barely noticeable and experience a sensation of warmth or heaviness in the area or along the meridian. During and after the treatment, you may feel a deep sense of relaxation.
Q: What happens at my first visit?
A: We will gather comprehensive information about your health and examine you. This includes the inspection of your tongue and palpation of your pulses at the wrist. Often, other areas of your body will be inspected and palpated to get a better understanding of your condition.
Q: How do you decide what treatment is right for me?
A: Chinese medicine has its own system of diagnosis. The focus is less on your disease and more on the mechanisms that have produced your condition. This is referred to as pattern diagnosis or pattern differentiation. Treatment will be selected according to your individual pattern diagnosis.
Q: What is an acupuncture treatment like?
A: After choosing an appropriate treatment approach, you will lie down on a comfortable table. The needles are carefully inserted, heat or electrical stimulation may be applied, and you can rest for several minutes while the needles are retained. In some cases, we may also burn mugwort near acupuncture points (moxibustion), apply glass cups with suction or use other traditional techniques to help you heal.
Q: How many treatments will I need?
A: Typically, between 8 and 12 treatments are needed to improve a condition to satisfaction. Sometimes, mild acute conditions in otherwise healthy individuals respond more quickly. Often though, patients with complex or long-standing complaints will need regular treatment over many months.
Q: Can I take Chinese herbs?
A: Most conditions can be treated with a combination of acupuncture and herbal therapy or either modality alone. In combination they tend to produce faster and more lasting results. Other considerations include concurrent pharmaceutical therapy, convenience, compliance and cost.
Q: Can I stop my medical treatment?
A: We strongly advise you against changing or stopping your medical treatment without your doctor’s consent. You are encouraged to inform your MD about the treatment you receive and improvements you may notice. This will allow your doctor to adjust or taper off your medical treatment as appropriate.
Q: Is acupuncture covered by health insurance?
A: More and more insurers are now offering coverage for acupuncture. At your request, we will provide you with the appropriate health insurance claim form to be submitted for reimbursement. Please consult your health insurance provider regarding the details of coverage and reimbursement policies.