New Patient Information
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the therapies of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with a written history in China of 2000 years, but dating back before recorded history. The Chinese have developed, over thousands of years, a working theory of acupuncture. They discovered pathways along the body that related to the organs and systems of the body, through which "qi", or energy, travels. They found that when there was illness, the qi was blocked, excessive, deficient or unbalanced. Acupuncture is one way of restoring and balancing the flow of qi.
Acupuncture consists of the insertion of extremely fine needles into specific points to regulate the systems of the body and alleviate pain. Inserting needles in certain points along the channels and manipulating the qi flowing through those channels, regulates organ function, relaxes muscles, reduces inflammation, and alleviates pain. Acupuncture is used along with herbal medicine and dietary therapy to help the patient heal naturally and completely.
Does acupuncture work?
Yes. Over the thousands of years that acupuncture has been practiced, people have received the positive healing effects acupuncture is able to offer. Modern research has shown that acupuncture is highly effective in treating many conditions.
Is acupuncture safe?
Yes. The acupuncture needle is an extremely fine, disposable (one-use), sterile, FDA approved medical device. This ensures that there is no risk of disease transmission. A licensed acupuncturist has undergone 3 years of training in its safe implementation. There should be no negative side effects from receiving acupuncture treatment.
Is acupuncture painful?
No. The needle bears little resemblance to the hypodermic syringe used for shots. Some people feel a small pinch, while others feel nothing at all. Acupuncture needles are created as thinly as possible and when inserted by a skilled professional, they should not hurt.
How many treatments will I need?
The course of treatment will vary depending on the nature, severity and duration of the complaint. Many patients show improvement in 2-10 treatments, while chronic conditions are relieved with additional time and effort. The speed of progress with long-standing, chronic issues is assisted by the patient's willingness to live and eat well in conjunction with the treatment.
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