Is acupuncture primarily used for treating pain?

In the U.S., acupuncture has been widely recognized as an effective approach to reducing or eliminating pain, but that's not all it's good for. As modern science continues to discover how acupuncture affects the body through multiple means, more and more doctors are beginning to see that acupuncture also treats internal disease as well as pain.

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Is acupuncture painful?  

Usually not at all. Common and normal sensations when being treated may include any of these:

• Heavy, dull achy sensation or pressure

• A quick “zing” up or down the acupuncture meridian (that’s Qi moving!)

• Warmth and tingling

• Light throbbing or pulsation of energy

• Sometimes you may feel not much of anything, and that’s OK!
   

Many people feel very relaxed during treatment. The needles are very thin, like a cat's whisker. They are not hollow like the kind used to draw blood, so there is no damage to tissue and thus little or no pain!

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Is acupuncture safe? 

One of the great advantages of acupuncture is that it is largely accepted as a safe treatment option with minimal side effects. All needles are disposable, one-time use, sterile, and FDA-approved medical devices. Licensed acupuncturists undergo years of training in safe implementation and are trained in the exact location, angle, as well as depth of insertion of the acupuncture needle to avoid injuries. Acupuncturists must also be tested and certified in Clean Needle Technique for national and state licensure.  Commenting on the relative safety of acupuncture compared with other treatments, the National Institute of Health (NIH) consensus panel stated that “adverse side effects of acupuncture are extremely low and often lower than conventional treatments.”

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Does acupuncture only work if I believe in it?

Absolutely not!  This is evidenced by animals who receive acupuncture treatment.  They are definitely unbiased, and we can clearly see that they do benefit from acupuncture! If you’re skeptical, that’s OK.  I just hope that you’ll give it a try once to experience it and then tell me what you think. 

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How many treatments will I need and how often will I need them? 

The number of treatments needed varies from person to person. Some people experience significant improvement after one or two treatments, while others may take weeks or months to achieve lasting results. Chronic conditions generally take longer to resolve than acute ones, and the longer a patient has had a condition, the longer it usually takes to resolve. Other factors that influence the number of treatments needed include the severity of the problem and the patient's lifestyle, overall health, and constitution.  I would be able to give you an idea of how many treatments will be needed after I become familiar with your unique situation and needs. I may suggest one or two treatments per week during the initial phases of treatment, and then less frequent treatments as your condition improves.  

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Can I receive treatment for multiple health concerns at one time? What about the chronic pain I’ve been having for many years?

Yes.  Acupuncture is great at treating many seemingly unrelated things at the same time.  Patterns of disharmony are often intertwined, and by treating the “root” cause of something, you will find that your “branch” symptoms start disappearing over time. Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, naturally relieving pain and it also helps you to sleep better at night.  Remember that when you’re sleeping, your body is healing! Both chronic and acute pain, as well as internal medicine conditions, can be effectively treated with acupuncture.

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Do you treat pregnant women?
It is highly beneficial for pregnant women to get regular acupuncture treatments to reduce stress and to have a smoother pregnancy. 

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Do you treat children?
Yes, of course! With parental consent, and willingness from the child to try it, they can benefit from acupuncture treatments just the same as adults.  

 

What is the difference between getting acupuncture from a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) or from a medical doctor with an acupuncture certification? 

In Florida, licensed acupuncturists must complete at least 3 academic years of study specifically for acupuncture, which includes over 2,000 hours of classroom time and hands-on clinic time treating patients. In addition, in order to become licensed, candidates must pass a rigorous national board examination. In contrast, in most states, medical doctors (and sometimes chiropractors) can practice acupuncture with little or no training (300 hours or less). Licensed acupuncturists use acupuncture and its underlying theories as their main method of health care, enabling them to fully focus and expand their expertise in that area. This allows them to take advantage of the broad range of its applications as well as go more in-depth in treating individual cases. Meanwhile, others practicing acupuncture without the AP or L.Ac. title may only use it for very limited applications or as an adjunctive technique.  Some health care providers will say they do a special form of acupuncture called trigger point dry needling that acupuncturists do not learn when in actuality this form of needling is taught to acupuncturists in addition to their traditional acupuncture education and is implemented when needed by the acupuncturist.

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How can new patients prepare for their first-time visit? 

Either complete your new patient paperwork ahead of time or plan on arriving at least 10 minutes early to your appointment.  Do not get treated if you are fasting or have not eaten anything since waking up the morning of your appointment.  Drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activity immediately after being treated.  

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Are your services covered by health insurance? 

At this time I do not bill claims to insurance, however, you can use your HSA/FSA card to pay for treatments.

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