Chinese Acupuncture Clinic

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Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine function to promote the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Common Questions about Acupuncture

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

For thousands of years Chinese Medicine has acknowledged that there is a vital life force (called “Qi”) that flows though all things. In the west it is often referred to as “energy”. Energy (Qi) flows along pathways (meridians) in the human body. These pathways are related to the organs and the tendon-muscular system. When the balance of this energy is disturbed due to trauma, poor diet, medications, stress, hereditary conditions, environmental factors, or excessive emotional issues, pain or illness results. Acupuncture focuses on correcting these energetic imbalances by breaking up obstructions and encouraging the flow of Qi, which stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

WHAT IS A TREATMENT LIKE?

The practitioner will diagnose your condition with a thorough examination, which will include medical history, pulse and tongue examination and meridians palpitation. A treatment plan is than made accordingly. Extremely fine, hair-thin, flexible, sterile, disposable needles are placed at specific points on the energetic pathways, known as meridians. When the needles are inserted, you may experience one or more sensations like tingling, heaviness, fullness, and warmth. People are surprised to find that treatments are actually quite relaxing. Many people fall asleep during the treatment.

WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?

While acupuncture is often associated with pain control, in the hands of a well-trained practitioner, it has much broader applications. Acupuncture can be effective as the only treatment used, or as the support or adjunct to other medical treatment forms in many medical and surgical disorders. In fact, the best part of Acupuncture is to prevent diseases, maintain the optimal health and promote logevity. One of the most popular and effective applications of Acupuncture is Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncturealso called Acupuncture Facelift

The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems.

please click Conditions for a list of sample conditions that can be successfully treated by Acupuncture.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED?

Since each individual is unique, the length and frequency of treatments may vary from person to person and will be determined by the acupuncturist depending on the individual condition. For complex or long-standing conditions, one or two treatments a week for several months may be recommended. For acute problems, usually fewer visits are required, and for health maintenance, several sessions a year may be all that is necessary.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS? IS IT SAFE?

Usually there are no side effects and it is safe.As energy is redirected in the body, internal chemicals and hormones are stimulated and healing begins to take place. Occasionally the original symptoms worsen for a few days, or other general changes in appetite, sleep, bowel or urination pattern, or emotional state may be triggered. These should not cause concern, as they are simply indications that the acupuncture is starting to work.

It is quite common with the first one or two treatments to have a sensation of deep relaxation or even mild disorientation immediately following the treatment. These pass within a short time, and never require anything more than a bit of rest to overcome.

Acupuncture is a safe medical procedure and is well known for its efficacy and lack of side-effects when administered by a qualified practitioner.

WHAT ARE THE NEEDLES LIKE? DO THEY HURT?

People experience acupuncture needling differently. Most patients feel only minimal pain as the needles are inserted; some feel no pain at all. Once the needles are in place, there is no pain felt.

Acupuncture needle are very thin,solid and are made from stainless steel. The point is smooth;there is no hollow with cutting edges like a hypodermic needle.Insertion through the skin is not as painful as injections or blood sampling. The risk of bruising and skin irritation is less than when using a hollow needle. Since the needles are disposable and used only once, there is no risk of infection from the treatments.

DOES ACUPUNCTURE REALLY WORK?

Yes. In the past 2000 years, more people have been successfully treated with acupuncture than with all other health modalities combined. Today acupuncture is practiced widely in Asia,Russia and Europe. It is now being used more and more in America by patients and practitioners.

Acupuncture treatments can be given at the same time as other techniques are being used, such as conventional Western medicine, osteopathic or chiropractic prescriptions. It is important that your acupuncturist know everything that you are doing, so he or she can help you get the most benefit from all your treatments.

BE PREPARED ON THE DAY OF A TREATMENT

The way that acupuncture works, is to activate the body's ability to heal itself. To enhance the value of acupuncture treatment, the following guidelines are important:

  • Do not eat an unusually large meal, ice-cold foods or have ice drinks immediately before or after your treatment. Do not come with an empty stomach to the treatment.
  • Do not over-exercise, engage in sexual activity, or consume alcoholic or caffeine within 6 hours before or after the treatment.
  • Do not brush your tongue or suck on colored candies, etc., on treatment days as we have to see your tongue in its natural state. This is an important part of our diagnostic procedure.
  • On the day of your Acupuncture treatment, plan having massage, chiropractic treatment or other therapies before Acupuncture, not after. On the next day is fine.
  • Give correct and detailed information about yourself and your problem to the Doctor.Diagnosis is made according to the information you supply. A correct diagnosis is critical for making the most effective treatment plan for your conditions.
  • Let the Doctor know, if you have any of the following conditions: pregnancy or possible pregnancy, taking blood thinning medicine or having problem with blood coagulation, having a pacemaker, autoimmune conditions, infectious diseases, and diabetes.
  • Ware comfortable cloths and minimun jewels.Before being treated, empty your bladder. After the needles are set in your body, try not move the part where you have needles to avoid experiencing too strong sensitions. Feel free to request any support to make yourself comfortable during the treatment. It is cretical to the Acupuncture result,if you can relax or take a nap during your treatment.
  • As the needles are set in your body, you will experience some sensations like heaviness,pressure,numbness, soreness, warmth,extension, tingling and so on. That tells us that the needles are working. During the treatment, try to be relaxed in both mind and body;keep your concentration on your body and try to feel what every needle is doing in your body and if there is a connection between the needle and the area where your problem is located. Report your feeling to the Doctor.
  • Plan your activities so that after the treatment you can get some rest, or at least not have to be working at top performance. This is especially important for the first few visits.
  • Do not take a bath or shower for several hours after a treatment. If possible do this in the following morning.
  • Remember to keep good mental or written notes of what your response is to the treatment. This is important for your doctor to know so that the follow-up treatments can be designed to best help you and your condition. Each follow-up treatment will be adjusted with the progress or change of your condition.
  • Continue to take any prescription medicines as directed by your regular doctor. Please call us at 719-634-1669,if you ever have any questions or concerns following your treatment.