FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is acupuncture painful?
Generally patients do not experience pain. About 7 acupuncture needles make up the width of a hypodermic needle. The insertion is quick and usually goes unnoticed. Patients report a sensation of warmth, heaviness, tingling, or a dull ache. Far from painful, acupuncture is often described by patients as extremely relaxing. Many patients fall into a deep and restful sleep and wake feeling refreshed.

Is acupuncture effective?
Yes. Chinese medicine is the oldest continually practiced form of medicine in existence. It has been practiced in Asia for thousands of years. Both the World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health have recognized acupuncture as effective for a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. The World Health Organization has said of acupuncture: "the sheer weight of evidence demands that acupuncture must be taken seriously as a clinical procedure of considerable value."

Is acupuncture's effectiveness just a placebo effect?
No. Acupuncture has been widely used to treat a variety of domestic animals. It is regularly used to treat racehorses. These animals do not understand nor believe in acupuncture, but that does not prevent them from getting well.

Is acupuncture safe?
Yes. By law, acupuncturists in the state of California must use sterile, single-use disposable needles. This virtually eliminates the risk of infection. Additionally, all acupuncturists must be licensed by the state of California after completing four years of training and education. This rigorous program includes 3000 hours of classroom instruction and a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical residency. Finally, all acupuncturists practicing in the state are required to complete a minimum of 50 hours continuing education every 2 years to keep their license current.

Will I need to undress?
No. Just remove shoes and socks and we recommend that you wear loose-fitting clothing so that sleeves and pant-legs can be rolled up. We practice a style of acupuncture that mostly uses points located on the extremities to treat problems anywhere in the body.

How does acupuncture work? Acupuncture has been shown to work with the following body systems:

• Nervous System - triggers the release of endorphins which can relieve pain, reduce stress, and boost your immune system.
• Immune System - stimulates the body's natural healing ability.
• Endocrine - regulates hormones responsible for reproductive organs, mood, metabolism, sleep cycle, heart rate, blood pressure, memory, and learning.
• Circulatory - increases blood circulation and regulates vaso-dilation and constriction.

What can acupuncture treat? Below is a partial list of the conditions treated by acupuncture:

• RESPIRATORY: asthma, allergies, common cold, flu, cough, bronchitis, sinusitis, rhinitis.
• CIRCULATORY: hypertension, arteriosclerosis, palpitations, chest pain.
• DIGESTIVE: indigestion, gastritis, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, colitis, abdominal pain, stomachache, nausea & vomiting, ulcers, acid reflux.
• EMOTIONAL: anxiety, anger, road rage, irritability, depression, stress, insomnia, drug, alcohol and nicotine addiction.
• NEUROLOGICAL: headache, migraine, TMJ syndrome, Bell's Palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome, post-stroke syndrome, numbness, tremors, restless leg syndrome.
• GYNECOLOGICAL: PMS, menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, post-menopausal symptoms (palpitations, hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, mood swings), endometriosis, infertility, painful menstruation, irregular menstruation, low libido.
• UROGENITAL: Bladder infection, frequent urination, incontinence.
• PAIN: back pain, neck pain, shoulder & elbow pain, knee pain, wrist pain, ankle pain,post-operative pain, arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, sprains and strains.
• OTHER: Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, skin conditions, weight management, health & wellness maintenance.