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Heal Your Whole Self.
Acupuncture: Frequently Asked Questions
Get to know our practitioners: |
- What is acupuncture?
- What is meant by "holistic medicine"?
- Why doesn't acupuncture hurt?
- How deep do the needles go?
- What should I expect during treatment?
- How many treatments will I need?
- What is cupping?
- What is Tui Na?
- What is Moxibustion?
- What is Auricular Acupuncture?
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an effective form of health care that has evolved into a complete and holistic medical system. Practitioners of acupuncture and Chinese medicine have used this noninvasive treatment method to help millions of people become well and stay well.Acupuncture promotes natural healing. It can enhance recuperative power and immunity, support physical and emotional health and improve overall function and will being. It is a safe, painless and effective way to treat a wide variety of medical problems.
What is meant by "holistic medicine"?
There is a saying in Chinese medicine:
One disease, many treatments
Many diseases, one treatment
The first part emphasizes the basic tenet that illness is a combination of the disease-causing factors and conditions in the body that impair our natural healing ability. In East Asian Traditional Medicine, the emphasis is restoring the body to dynamic balance so we can adapt to our environment and remain healthy.
The second part of this adage is saying that many symptoms a person may experience as separate problems may have one source or root when seen through the principles of Chinese medicine.
Chinese medicine also recognizes that all aspects of life contribute to health and well-being including lifestyle, diet and exercise and that there is an overarching connection between body, mind, and spirit. This connection is recognized not only in East Asian Traditional Medicine but in all of the martial arts, Tui Na, yoga and meditation.
Why doesn’t acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to hypodermic needles that have a rounded cutting edge. Unlike hypodermic needles used for blood tests and injections, acupuncture needles are hair-thin, just a little thicker than a cat’s whisker. (Two or three acupuncture needles would fit inside the barrel of a needle used for injection!)
Acupuncture needles are solid, very fine and are designed to part the skin rather than cut it. The sensation caused by an acupuncture needle varies but generally speaking, it is bu tong, painless or very mild. In addition to the design of the needle, acupuncturists are trained to use techniques that minimize inflicting pain during insertion.
How deep do the needles go?
The depth of the insertions varies. Needles are inserted shallower in bony areas and deeper in fleshier areas of the body. Typically, needles are inserted at depths ranging from 1/8 in. to 1 ½ in.
What should I expect during treatment?
Treatment includes a diagnostic assessment of your symptoms according to the principles of Chinese medicine. This includes tongue and pulse diagnosis for Traditional Chinese Medicine and palpation of the abdomen and pulse in the case of Traditional Japanese acupuncture.
Where the acupuncture needle has been inserted, you may experience a vague numbness, heaviness, tingling or dull ache. Sometimes people experience a sensation of energy spreading and moving around the needle. This is called the "Qi sensation". All these reactions are good a sign that the treatment is working. After treatment, you may feel energized or may experience a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.
Often treatment combines more than one modality. In addition to needle therapy, moxibustion, cupping, Tui Na, or auricular therapy may be used. Therapy may include the use of herbal formulas as well.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments will vary from person to person. It will depend on the duration, severity, and nature of your condition. You may only need a single treatment for an acute condition.
A series of five to fifteen treatments may resolve many chronic problems.
Some degenerative conditions may require many treatments over time.
After the first few treatments results are evaluated to determine the
most effective treatment plan.
Treatments are typically scheduled once a week. For some acute conditions twice a week may be recommended initially. As symptoms improve, treatment becomes less frequent.
What is cupping?
Cupping is a therapy designed to stimulate the flow of blood and Qi within the superficial muscle layers. In this therapy, small glass or plastic “cups” are placed over specific areas on your body. A vacuum is created under the cup using heat or suction. They may be moved over an affected area or left in place. Cupping works by creating microcirculation. The suction breaks tiny capillaries at the surface of the skin. When the cups are removed new blood is swept into the area and a healing response is triggered. This removes toxins, stagnant blood and reduces muscle spasms. This makes cupping an effective treatment for sore muscles, tension, neck pain, the common cold and other infectious diseases.
What is Tui Na?
Tui Na translates as "push grasp." Tui Na is the basis for every other type of massage in the world. It uses techniques such as kneading, pressing, rolling, stretching, and shaking to regulate the Qi and Blood of the body. This can be benefit tendons, bones, muscles and joints to open blockages and relieve pain.
What is Moxibustion?
What we commonly refer to as Acupuncture in English is actually an incomplete translation of the Chinese term "Zheng Jiu" or the Japanese equivalent "Shin Kyu" therapy. The literal translation is "needle-moxa" therapy. Moxa is a prepared form of mugwort used to stimulate acupoints by heating the herb at specific acupoints.
Research in Japan suggests that moxibustion increases white blood cell count near the treated point and triggers a cascade of effects in the circulatory and lymphatic systems to boost immunity in the whole body. It has also been found to relieve pain, and clear congestion. In cases where the body is weakened from chronic disease, ongoing stress, aging or other factors, moxibustion can build up the body’s vitality and healing capacity.
What is Auricular Acupuncture?
Auricular acupuncture is also known as ear acupuncture. The ear is one of several microsystems in the body. Nerves in the ear connect to reflex centers in the brain that in turn connect to the entire body. This essentially allows the ear to serve as a microcosm for the whole body. Points in the ear are stimulated with ear pellets, needles, or vaccaria seeds to treat health conditions in other parts of the body.