FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
“I create my own path and walk it with joy."
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Acupuncture treatment is new to a lot of people. If you are hesitant, I encourage you to have an open mind and ask questions. The following questions are what I am asked most often by new clients:
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What is Qi or chi and why is it important?Simply put, It’s energy and oxygen flow in your body. Acupuncture stimulates the flow of energy, oxygen and stem cell production in your body so that it can begin to heal itself from within. To learn more about stem cell production click on this link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24636189/.
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Does acupuncture replace my doctor or other medical treatments?No, acupuncture supplements and benefits the work of other healthcare professionals and can often help identify illness before you show symptoms. Her overall goal is to transition people from crisis care to wellness care and help them invest in their current and future health.
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Why does the therapist look at my tongue?The tongue is a map of the body. It reflects the general health of the organs and meridians. Your therapist will examine the color, shape, cracks and coating on your tongue.
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Why does the therapist take my pulse?There are 12 pulse positions on each wrist that your acupuncturist will palpate. Each position corresponds to a specific meridian and organ. Your therapist will be looking for over 30 individual qualities that reflect overall health. If there are any problems, they may appear in the pulse.
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What are the needles like? Does it hurt? Do you reuse them?The sterilized needles used in acupuncture feel like cat whiskers. The sterilized needles are thin, tiny and disposable. Treatment does not hurt, but there might be a slight sensation when inserted. The sterilized needles are never reused.
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What can I expect during treatment?Sessions last 45-60 minutes with the last 30 minutes laying down with the needles inserted. Many clients relax and fall asleep during their sessions. Some feel like they are floating, feeling heavy or experience a tingling sensation. On rare occasions, others may not feel anything but the treatment is still working.
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How many sessions will it take to feel better?Therapy sessions build upon each other. Ultimately, we want to get you to a place where your issues are resolved and then you move into maintenance and beyond as in wellness treatments. Most patients feel a change, a shift, or a sense of well being on the first treatment.
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How can acupuncture help women?Acupuncture can help alleviate specific health issues for women: ◦ Gynecological Health – Your therapist can work with you to find the underlying imbalances and devise a treatment plan to help your body regain its natural balance. ◦ Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) – Acupuncture, along with herbal medicine, dietary changes, and exercise, can help you regain hormonal balance and aid in the relief of symptoms before and during menstruation. ◦ Fibroids and Endometriosis – Acupuncture can reduce menstrual pain associated with fibroids and endometriosis. ◦ Fertility, Pregnancy and Childbirth – Acupuncture can help with improving the chances of conception, reducing unpleasant side effects of pregnancy, and recovering from childbirth.
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How can acupuncture help men?There are some specific conditions affecting men that acupuncture can help treat: ◦ Prostatitis – Reducing inflammation of the prostate that can cause urinary symptoms ◦ Male Depression – Reducing feelings of fatigue, frustration, irritability, lack of concentration, sleep disturbances, and loss of interest in work and social activities. ◦ Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – Reducing disturbances caused by an enlarged prostate. ◦ Prostate cancer – Reducing the effects of cancer treatment and improving overall health. ◦ Infertility – Helpful in boosting and supporting sexual health stamina ◦ Male Menopause – Acupuncture and herbal therapy can support men as they age and eliminate symptoms and signs related to the decline of androgen.
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Is acupuncture safe for children?Yes, it is. Some children even respond to treatment faster than adults. If your child has an aversion to needles, the therapist can massage the pressure points through a technique called acupressure.
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How much does it cost?The first session is $130. All follow-up sessions are $80. After your first session, a treatment plan will be recommended for a period of time. Many clients see results within the first treatment. The average treatment plan could be 6-10 sessions. Once your goals are achieved, a maintenance plan will be recommended to maintain your health. Acupuncture is an investment in your health. Insurance is not accepted, but you can check with your insurance to see if it’s covered or if your Health Saving Account will cover services. Otherwise, credit/debit cards, checks and cash are accepted. Payment is expected at the time of service.
RESEARCH
A lot of research has been done about acupuncture. More and more is conducted all the time as it has become a more popular and mainstream therapy treatment in the Western world. Interesting findings include the following:
According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 51% of medical doctors understand the efficacy and value of acupuncture, and medical doctors refer patients to acupuncturists more than any other alternative care provider.
A German study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2007 covered the largest and most rigorous trial ever undertaken to investigate the analgesic effects of acupuncture versus traditional medical approaches to relieve lower back pain. This study involved 1,802 patients and 13,475 treatments and concluded that acupuncture “constituted a strong treatment alternative to multimodal conventional therapy, giving physicians a promising and effective treatment option for chronic lower back pain,”
In addition to its effectiveness in pain control, acupuncture has a proven track record of treating a variety of endocrine, circulatory and systemic conditions.
The British Medical Journal in 2008 reported that acupuncture can increase the success rate of in-vitro fertilization and increase the number of viable pregnancies. The additional benefits were listed as a reduction in nausea and muscle pain associated with both IVF and pregnancy in general without the use of drugs that might harm the growing fetus.
In Sweden, a 2008 study involving 215 cancer patients proved that acupuncture can eliminate the need for additional drugs and reduce nausea suffered during radiation treatments.
A systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that women undergoing IVF were 65% more likely to become pregnant when they integrated acupuncture into their normal IVF treatments (BMJ, 2008 February).
In the treatment of insomnia, acupuncture yields significant results with a total effectiveness rate of 90.44%. It also improves the quality of sleep and overcomes complications induced by sleep medications. (Sok, SR, et.al., The effects of acupuncture therapy on insomnia. J Adv Nurs., 2003 Nov; 44(4):375-284 J. Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2002, Dec.: 22(4):276-277.
