Question 1

Does acupuncture help with pain?

Answer

As your acupuncturist, I remind your body of its natural healing capacity. This is done by gently waking up certain areas with acupuncture and other Chinese medical modalities. The immediate goal is to stop pain. This is done my stimulating the body to produce endorphins, which are natural painkillers 1,000 times stronger than morphine. Acupuncture can then activate tissue regeneration in areas that have been frozen in scar tissue for years. Once these areas become more alive, the practitioner and patient begin to peel back the layers of the onion until the original injury is discovered and allowed to heal.

Question 2

Does acupuncture hurt?

Answer

Many people do not realize that acupuncture needles are hair-thin, sterile and only used once. They are carefully placed on the skin and tapped into place. Most people do not report pain. Instead there are some interesting sensations that occur when the blockages in a person’s body begin to open up. Sometimes it is like a tingling sensation, which travels, or it can feel like a heavy sensation in a limb. These are both signs that the medicine is working!

Question 3

Is acupuncture good for my immune system?

Answer

Acupuncture mobilizes white blood cells (WBCs) that are the guardians of our immune system. With the combination of Chinese herbs and acupuncture, colds and flu are treated with the effective strength that antibiotics kill bacteria. Often with regular treatment, the body is simply stronger and more able to fight off illness. Autoimmune diseases can also be treated with protocols, which give the body back its inner balance and allow healing to occur.

Question 4

Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy and with children?

Answer

Yes, acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for nausea, back pain, breech babies and ripening for labor. Weekly treatments are recommended throughout pregnancy for optimum pre-natal health. Children’s bodies also respond very quickly to acupuncture or acupressure, depending on their age. Many children’s diseases such as constipations, earaches, allergies, cough and ADD/ADHD can be treated safely and effectively with acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Question 5

How does acupuncture work?

Answer

The most common Western medical theory is called the Gate Control Theory. It states that there are gates along a neural pathway to the brain. Acupuncture closes these gates and the pain-signal never arrives to the brain. It has also been proven to raise the level of positive neurotransmitters such as serotonin and nor-adrenaline, which is why it is effective in treating depression, anxiety and P.T.S.D. Acupuncture is also said to dilate or constrict the blood vessels which stimulates the release of histamines or vasodilators which open the vessels and speed blood circulation and healing.

Question 6

Why choose a licensed acupuncturist?

Answer

Licensed acupuncturists do not simply treat symptoms. We train for four years and receive a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine. Our in-depth analysis of the body’s symptoms and constitutional diagnosis seek to find the root of a person’s disease. Genetics, lifestyle choices and environmental toxins shape your constitution. After the imbalance has been diagnosed, balance can be restored to the body with a Chinese medicine treatment plan.

Question 7

What is Traditional medicine?

Answer

Traditional Chinese medicine seeks to find your constitutional pattern. Then your pattern’s excesses or deficiencies are treated with acupuncture, Chinese Herbs and supplements. I’ll also suggest appropriate foods to eat and others to avoid. I will discuss appropriate exercises drawing from the ancient Asian lineages of qi gong, tai chi and yoga.

Question 8

How long has acupuncture been used?

Answer

Recently, Otzi the iceman was found mummified in the Alps. Interestingly, he had tattoo marks on acupuncture points on his body to treat low-back pain and knee pain. Interestingly, he was x-rayed and it was discovered that he had degenerating discs in his low back and knee joints and he dated from 5,000 years ago. Acupuncture has been recorded to be in continual use for the last 3,000 years in China.

Frequently asked questions