Frequently Asked Questions
Does acupuncture hurt?
The needles are hair thin - like a cat whisker. There can be a tiny sensation upon insertion of the needle, other times there is no sensation at all. I like to say that the sensation is far less than plucking an eyebrow hair! Most people report minimal sensation, and an overall sense of relaxation.
What does a treatment entail?
First, we will sit down and chat. I will go over your health history and present health concerns, getting more details about your experience and goals for care.
I will feel your pulse and observe your tongue, which are diagnostic measures in Chinese medicine that tell me more about the state of your health.
You’ll lie down on the treatment table, I’ll swab the selected points with alcohol, and place 8-10 points
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works by regulating the qi and blood within your body. The acupuncture points and channels are stimulated in specific ways to direct the flow of qi and blood where they needs to go, and to support the body’s production of qi and blood. A simple example is nausea - we see this as stomach qi flowing in the opposite direction than what it should - by stimulating certain acupuncture points, we can encourage the stomach qi to flow downward again like it’s supposed to, relieving nausea. For painful conditions, it reduces inflammation, releases tight muscles, improves circulation, and releases endorphins and natural pain killers within the body.
What can you treat with acupuncture?
Because acupuncture is a gentle, effective regulating therapy, pretty much anyone can expect to benefit! The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends acupuncture for over 100 conditions. It’s a minimally invasive, low risk therapy to try before more serious interventions such as pharmaceuticals injections, or surgery.
Some of the most commonly seen conditions include low back pain, sciatica, headaches and migraine patterns, knee pain, anxiety/depression, women’s health concerns such as painful periods, hot flashes and anxiety associated with menopause, insomnia, and digestive issues.
How many treatments will I need?
An initial trial of care consists of 4-6 treatments, over which time the patient tends to experience notable improvement. For more chronic conditions, 8-10 visits may be needed. Some people enjoy the stress relieving aspects of acupuncture and therefore choose to come on a regular monthly or seasonal basis for a tune up.
Can I benefit from acupuncture even if I don’t have a pressing health concern?
Yes! Even if you don’t have a Western medical diagnosis, or something dramatically “wrong,” you can still benefit from acupuncture. In the Chinese medicine lens, we assess certain imbalances called “patterns of disharmony” as well as one’s constitution - aka their health tendencies as a person. Someone with a small frame, pale skin, is emotionally sensitive, and who gets frequent colds/allergies has a very different constitution than someone who is robust, muscular, has reddish skin, and is prone to irritability and headaches.
