What We Treat

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1. Does acupuncture hurt?

Acupuncture is performed with extremely thin, flexible stainless steel needles. You may experience brief discomfort as the needle pierces the skin, sometimes followed by minor soreness or a drawing sensation. As the energy changes, there may be numbness, heat, dull aching or tingling. Always let your Acupuncturist know right away if you are experiencing any discomfort.

2. Is acupuncture safe? 

We only use sterile, one-time use, disposable needles. Therefore, there is no risk of blood-borne disease transmission. 

3. How long does a session last? 

The average treatment lasts about 45 - 60 minutes, depending upon the problem being treated. Office visits on average can take up to an hour and a half for the initial visit. Follow up visits take about 1 hour.

4. How many treatments will I need? 

No two conditions or people respond exactly the same. The course of treatment depends on the condition, the severity, and the duration of the condition. Acupuncture treatments have a cumulative effect. While you may experience relief with your first treatment, symptoms typically return. It is necessary to receive treatment regularly and frequently in order to provide long term relief. This is why we offer affordable community acupuncture. We want treatments to be affordable so that you can get the number of treatments you need to return to wellness. On average, a condition should show some improvement within 8-12 visits. If you do not see any improvement during that time, it may be appropriate to re-evaluate with the doctor whether or not to continue in treatment. 

5. What should I expect during treatment?

Most patients find the treatment very relaxing and are surprised to find how comfortable they are during an acupuncture treatment. Some patients even fall asleep during treatment. A patient may feel a sensation upon insertion and pressure or a "dull" reaction when the feeling of the arrival of QI is obtained. 

6. 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 extensively worldwide and is being used more frequently in America by patients and physicians. Acupuncture treatments can be given in conjunction with other forms of health care, such as conventional Western medicine, osteopathic or chiropractic adjustments, and homeopathic or naturopathic prescriptions. It is important that your acupuncturist know everything that you are doing, so she can help you get the most benefit from all your treatments.  

7. How does acupuncture work? 

​Eastern Explanation: Acupuncture is a therapy that uses the insertion of tiny thread-like needles to specific points on the body along meridians (energy channels of the body). As long as the energy flows freely through these pathways, health is maintained. When the flow of energy is disturbed for any reason, there is disruption in health, resulting in pain or illness. By stimulating the proper acupuncture points along these meridians, the energy is regulated, and health is restored. 

Western Explanation: Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points located near or on the surface of the skin which have the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions in order to achieve the desired effect. Acupuncture points are areas of designated electrical sensitivity. Inserting needles at these points stimulates various sensory receptors that, in turn, stimulate nerves that transmit impulses to the hypothalamic-pituitary system at the base of the brain. 

8. Is Acupuncture covered by health insurance? 

Yes, some insurance companies now offer policies that cover acupuncture and related services performed by an acupuncturist. A growing number of insurance companies will reimburse for acupuncture treatments. You can find out if your insurance provides acupuncture benefits by calling your insurance company's patient information or benefits line. This number can be found on your insurance card. For more information, please click on our New Patients page.

​9. What if I'm afraid of needles? 

​First, there is a common fear of needles based on experience with vaccinations and other encounters with hypodermic needles. Acupuncture needles are very different from the hypodermic needle. They are solid and very thin gauge, some nearly as thin as a hair. Acupuncture needles are virtually painless when inserted. 

​There are also alternative treatments for those who are needle phobic. These methods include acupressure, moxibustion (burning of herbs on acupoints), ear acupuncture with press seeds, and cupping. We can also provide treatment using very superficial needle technique that is virtually painless. 

10. What is Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine? 

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve function. This is done by inserting sterilized, stainless-steel needles (that are as fine as a human hair) into specific points located near or on the surface of the skin which have the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions in order to treat a wide variety of illnesses. 

​Traditional Chinese Medicine views a person as an energy system in which body and mind are unified, each influencing and balancing the other. Unlike Western medicine which attempts to isolate and separate a disease from a person, Chinese Medicine emphasizes a holistic approach that treats the whole person. 

​Your practitioner will make a Chinese medical diagnosis based upon a thorough examination and consultation. The examination includes the assessment of the pulse and tongue. Once a diagnosis is made, your acupuncturist will choose the most appropriate acupuncture points for treatment.