FAQ
Does acupuncture really work?
Yes. In the past 2,000 years, more people have been successfully treated with acupuncture than with all other health modalities combined. Today, acupuncture is practiced widely in Asia, the Soviet Union, and in Europe. It is now being used more and more in America by patients and physicians.
How does acupuncture work?
The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system.
The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up in others.
These meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points; the acupuncture needles unblock the obstructions at the dams, and reestablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are fine, flexible and disposable, no bigger around than a human hair or piece of thread. The slender needle produces little or no sensation at all when inserted by a skilled acupuncturist. Once the needles are in place, there is no pain felt. First-time patients are usually amazed at how comfortable they are during treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments depends upon the duration, severity and nature of your complaint. Two or three treatments may be sufficient for an acute condition, while a series of 5 to 15 treatments may be needed to resolve chronic conditions. Some degenerative conditions may require ongoing treatments over a long period of time.
What types of ailments does acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems. Below are some of the health concerns that acupuncture can effectively treat:
Is insurance accepted?
Some insurance companies currently cover acupuncture costs, sbut other companies do not yet recognize the value of acupuncture. Each health policy must be reviewed to determine acupuncture benefits. More and more insurance companies are recognizing the value of providing coverage for medical acupuncture services. You can help by insisting that your insurance company offer you reimbursement for medically indicated acupuncture treatments before you accept their policy.
Is acupuncture safe for children?
Acupuncture for children is becoming an increasingly common treatment for headaches, stomachaches, back pain, depression, and many other frequent health concerns. Acupuncture can help development, sports injuries and even ADHD. For more information, please consult Dr Li or Dr Han.
Is acupuncture safe for pregnant women?
Yes, pregnant women tend to suffer from various symptoms peculiar to pregnancy such as morning sickness, swelling of the extremities, backache and sleeping disorders and they are not allowed to take any medication for these problems because of possible harm to the fetus. Fortunately acupuncture and moxibustion work very well for these problems without casing any side effects. It helps not only the mother but also enhance healthy development of the fetus, mainly because of its powerful effect on immunity.
Yes. In the past 2,000 years, more people have been successfully treated with acupuncture than with all other health modalities combined. Today, acupuncture is practiced widely in Asia, the Soviet Union, and in Europe. It is now being used more and more in America by patients and physicians.
How does acupuncture work?
The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system.
The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up in others.
These meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points; the acupuncture needles unblock the obstructions at the dams, and reestablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are fine, flexible and disposable, no bigger around than a human hair or piece of thread. The slender needle produces little or no sensation at all when inserted by a skilled acupuncturist. Once the needles are in place, there is no pain felt. First-time patients are usually amazed at how comfortable they are during treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments depends upon the duration, severity and nature of your complaint. Two or three treatments may be sufficient for an acute condition, while a series of 5 to 15 treatments may be needed to resolve chronic conditions. Some degenerative conditions may require ongoing treatments over a long period of time.
What types of ailments does acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems. Below are some of the health concerns that acupuncture can effectively treat:
- Addiction
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chronic fatigue
- Colitis
- Common cold
- Constipation
- Dental pain
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Digestive trouble
- Dizziness
- Dysentery
- Eye problems
- Facial palsy
- Fatigue
- Fertility
- Fibromyalgia
- Gingivitis
- Headache
- 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 (SAD)
- Shoulder pain
- Sinusitis
- Sleep disturbances
- Smoking cessation
- Sore throat
- Stress
- Tennis elbow
- Tonsillitis
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Urinary tract infections
- Vomiting
- Wrist pain
Is insurance accepted?
Some insurance companies currently cover acupuncture costs, sbut other companies do not yet recognize the value of acupuncture. Each health policy must be reviewed to determine acupuncture benefits. More and more insurance companies are recognizing the value of providing coverage for medical acupuncture services. You can help by insisting that your insurance company offer you reimbursement for medically indicated acupuncture treatments before you accept their policy.
Is acupuncture safe for children?
Acupuncture for children is becoming an increasingly common treatment for headaches, stomachaches, back pain, depression, and many other frequent health concerns. Acupuncture can help development, sports injuries and even ADHD. For more information, please consult Dr Li or Dr Han.
Is acupuncture safe for pregnant women?
Yes, pregnant women tend to suffer from various symptoms peculiar to pregnancy such as morning sickness, swelling of the extremities, backache and sleeping disorders and they are not allowed to take any medication for these problems because of possible harm to the fetus. Fortunately acupuncture and moxibustion work very well for these problems without casing any side effects. It helps not only the mother but also enhance healthy development of the fetus, mainly because of its powerful effect on immunity.