Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a comprehensive
health care system which has been used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness for thousands of years. An acupuncturist will
place fine, sterile needles at specific points on the body to promote natural healing by enhancing recuperative power, immunity,
and physical and emotional health. It also can improve overall function and well-being. It is a safe and effective way to
treat a wide variety of medical problems.
What will my Acupuncturist do?
During the initial
exam, a full health history will be taken. The acupuncturist will then feel your pulses at each wrist and observe the color
and shape of your tongue. This information will provide a more complete picture regarding your health. After the interview,
you will receive an acupuncture treatment. At subsequent visits, the acupuncturist will check on your progress and treat you
accordingly.
How many treatments will I need?
The number
and frequency of treatments will vary from person to person. Some people experience immediate relief; others may take weeks
or months to achieve results. Acute conditions usually resolve more quickly than chronic conditions. Treatment frequency depends
on your condition, the nature and severity of the problem, and a variety of other factors. An acupuncturist may suggest one
or two treatments per week, monthly visits for health maintenance, or seasonal tune-ups.
What should I expect during treatment?
Where the acupuncture needle is inserted, you may experience a sensation of warmth, heaviness, or dull ache. Some
people experience a sensation of energy spreading and moving in the area. After treatment, you may feel energized, or you
may feel a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.
Do the needles hurt?
The sensation people experience
varies. Some people feel a little pinch as the needles are inserted, which dissipates quickly, but most feel nothing at all.
The needles are thin, a little larger than a human hair.
How safe is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a safe,
all-natural, drug-free therapy. Acupuncture needles are sterile single-use needles; they are used once, then discarded.
What can acupuncture treat? Acupuncture is recognized
by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in treating a wide variety
of medical problems. Here is a list of some health concerns that have been effectively treated with acupuncture:
Addiction--alcohol, drug, smoking
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Bronchitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Chronic fatigue
Colitis
Common cold
Constipation
Dental pain
Depression
Diarrhea
Digestive
trouble
Dizziness
Dysentery
Emotional
problems
Eye problems
Facial palsy/tics
Fatigue
Fertility
Fibromyalgia
Gingivitis
Headache
Hiccough
Incontinence
Indigestion
Irritable
Bowel Syndrome
Low back pain
Menopause
Menstrual
irregularities
Migraine
Morning sickness
Nausea
Osteoarthritis
Pain
PMS
Pneumonia
Reproductive problems
Rhinitis
Sciatica
Seasonal affective disorder
Shoulder pain
Sinusitis
Sleep disturbances
Sore throat
Stress
Tennis elbow
Tonsilitis
Tooth pain
Trigeminal
neuralgia
Urinary tract infections
Vomiting
Wrist
pain
