Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture is a treatment modality that is included in the healthcare system of Traditonal Chinese Medicine. It has over a five thousand year old background and is one of the most utilized medical treatments in the history of medicine.

Acupuncture points are commonly found where sensory and motor neurons enter the skeletal muscle. When an acupuncture needle is inserted, a bioelectric current will travel through the nerve pathways and into the central nervous system. This is what acupuncturists call qi (chee). When qi flows properly, homeostasis between the body systems can exist.

The University of Pennsylvania Medical Center’s chief of nuclear medicine conducted a study that proved acupuncture increases blood flow to the brain. This helps explain how acupuncture activates the central nervous system and leads to the release of hormones and chemicals to intended areas of the body.

Acupuncture needles are very different from the needles used in Western health care; which are thicker, hollow and sometimes serrated. Acupuncture needles are scarcely thicker than a hair, solid, and polished smooth. The insertion of the needle is usually painless and shortly follows a heavy "achy" sensation around the acupuncture point. Most patients experience a deep relaxation and often fall asleep during their treatments.

Acupuncture is an extremely safe form of health care. The National Institue of Health recognizes acupuncture as having minimal and rare occurences of side effects. Licensed Acupuncturists are required by law to be certified in Clean Needle Technique. Acupuncture needles are always sterile and packaged to be used only once.

Initial acupuncture visits include a comprehensive medical history and are approximately 1.5 hours in length. Most follow up treatments range between 45 and 60 minutes.

Treatment results vary from individual to individual. In general chronic conditions require more treatments than acute conditions. Most treatment protocols consist of a course of 4-6 treatments over a month with a following re-evaluation.

Musculo-skeletal injuries are my speciality but I have extensive experience with numerous internal medicine conditions.

Acupuncture is safe for children and most children respond favorably and quickly to Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute for Health (NIH), recognize Acupuncture for the treatment of many medical conditions. According to the World Health Organization ¼ of the world's population receives acupuncture treatment on a continual basis. The World Health Organization has identified 104 conditions that acupuncture effectively treats. These include, but are not limited to the following:

• Smoking and other addictions
  
• Allergies and sinus congestion
  
• Fatigue
  
• Diarrhea, constipation, nausea
  
• Headaches and migraines
  
• Gynecological disorders
  
• Immune dysfunction, including HIV+ / AIDS
  
• Reproductive and urogenital disorders
  
• Insomnia
  
• Joint and musculoskeletal disorders
  
• Neurological disorders
  
• Stress and anxiety

Insurance companies are recognizing the value of acupuncture and depending on your plan it may offer coverage. We do accept insurance and will verify your coverage for you.

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