Frequently Asked Questions

​​“But I hate needles!”

I hear this from many of my first-time patients. Everyone hate needles but acupuncture needles aren’t like the needles we see at the doctor’s office. Those are hypodermic needles when getting shots or giving blood. They are painful because they are hollow-tube needles, so when inserted into the muscle tissue it breaks up fibers, causing pain. Acupuncture needles are so hair-thin, you can tie a knot with it. They are solid filiform needles so when inserted it doesn’t break any muscle fibers. 9 out of 10 times a patients’ reaction after I place a needle is, “Oh, did you put in the needle in yet?”

What should I expect on my first visit?

For your initial consultation, the acupuncturist needs to assess your general health. You will be asked about your current symptoms and any treatment you've received so far. It is also important to gather detailed information about your medical history and that of your family, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state. The purpose is to identify what needs to be addressed in order to target your specific complaint, and to boost your overall vitality.

What should I do before a treatment?

We recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing to receive acupuncture treatment. You should be aware that the acupuncturist may need to access points on your torso, arms and legs. It also helps to be in a calm state. Try to arrive 5 or 10 minutes before your appointment to give yourself a chance to relax. Try to avoid the following:

• Eating a big meal within one hour of your appointment
  
• Fasting for more than six hours before your appointment
  
• Alcohol, tobacco, food or drinks that color your tongue (such as coffee) immediately prior to treatment or just following a treatment
  
• Vigorous exercise or sexual activity within the hour before treatment

We also recommend that you avoid wearing any metallic jewelry, watches, or earrings. Makeup and nail polish should be minimized or eliminated. Please also avoid the use of perfumes, colognes or strongly scented cosmetics.

How many sessions will I need?

Length, number and frequency of sessions vary. For most conditions, a series of several sessions is necessary to achieve the maximum benefit. After an initial consultation, the acupuncturist should provide you with a treatment plan that includes the techniques to be used, as well as the frequency and duration of treatment.

A typical series of sessions consists of 6 to 12 visits, once or twice a week, with sessions lasting 30 to 40 minutes each. 

How will I feel after a treatment?

Patients normally feel relaxed and calm. You may feel tired or drowsy for a few hours if the experience is particularly strong. You may also experience a short-term flair-up of symptoms in the healing process. After a session, it is a good idea to sit quietly and relax. A gentle walk or very mild exercise can also be helpful. Avoid big meals, vigorous exercise, alcohol and stressful situations.

Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to work?

Absolutely not.  Acupuncture and herbal medicine are two modalities of Treatment used in Eastern Medicine based on the oldest professional literate Medicine in the world.  Eastern Medicine has a long history of scholars and Practitioners who recorded their clinical experiences and it is estimated there are 30 to 40 thousand volumes of books written before the run of the century.  

Currently clinical research is being conducted at leading medical instittutions:

• Harvard University
  
• Duke University
  
• Columbia Presbyterian Hospital
  
• Memorial Sloan Kettering

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture achieves the desired results by stimulating specific points near or on the surface of the skin - acupuncture points - that have the ability to alter biochemical and physiological conditions in the body. Because acupuncture points are designated areas of electrical sensitivity, inserting needles at these points stimulates sensory receptors. This in turn stimulates nerves that transmit impulses to the hypothalamic-pituitary system in the brain. The hypothalamus-pituitary glands are responsible for releasing neurotransmitters and endorphins, the body's natural pain-killing hormones (thought to be some 200 times more potent than morphine). Endorphins play a significant role in the hormonal system, which is why acupuncture is effective in treating back pain, arthritis, PMS and infertility. The substances released as a result of acupuncture relax the body, and also regulate serotonin in the brain, which affects emotional states. Other physiological effects include increased circulation, decreased inflammation, relief of muscle spasms and increased T-cell count, which supports the immune system.

Western science posits that acupuncture triggers three primary mechanisms in the body:

• Activation of opioid systems: Research has found that several types of pain-reducing opioids may be released into the central nervous system during acupuncture.
  
• Changes in brain chemistry: Studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by altering the way in which neurotransmitters and neurohormones are released. Acupuncture has also been documented to affect sensation and involuntary body functions, such as immune reactions and processes involved in regulating blood pressure, blood flow and body temperature. Modulation of subcortical structures of the brain may be an important mechanism by which acupuncture exerts its complex multisystem effects.
  
• Changes in blood flow: Acupuncture and Oriental medicine affects the circulation of blood to the affected area, which helps to remove pain-causing chemicals and restore normal function.

​​Let the Healing Begin