about acupuncture
how does acupuncture work?
According to Eastern medicine, pain or illness occur when there is an blockage or imbalance in one or more areas or aspects of the body, mind, and/or spirit. Daily life; work, relationships, and physical and emotional setbacks often challenge the health of body, mind, and spirit. Regular acupuncture treatments help maintain a healthy balance. Many suffer from chronic health issues which may be eased or resolved through regular acupuncture treatments.
Acupuncture works through freeing blockages and promotes a balanced state of health.
Example of factors that may contribute to a blockage or imbalance:
- poor nutrition
- physical and/or emotional trauma
- genetic predisposition
- chemical, physical, and/or emotional stress
12 major pathways called meridians or channels (it may help to visualize a river or stream) correspond to specific organ systems and body functions.
The acupuncturist assesses the balance within the meridians and restores free flow to blocked areas. This encourages the body to rebalance and promotes the ability to heal.
Thin, sterile, disposable, single-use acupuncture needles are gently inserted at specific points along the meridians of the body, inducing a physiological response.
Acupuncture, based on theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine, provides relief for a wide range of health issues and has been developed and tested over thousands of years, and continues to be validated today.
does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are very thin. You may experience a
brief, mild, tingling or heavy sensation as energy flows to the affected area. You may also feel deeply relaxed and fall asleep during treatment.
what can i expect?
Your first appointment is spent discussing current and past health issues to form a diagnosis on which to base treatment, followed by a 30 to 45 minute initial acupuncture treatment.
Thin, sterile, disposable, single-use acupuncture needles are gently inserted at points following specific pathways on the body, according to diagnosis of signs and symptoms.
Subsequent treatments include gathering updated health information, and answering any questions that you may have, followed by a longer acupuncture session of approximately 45 minutes.
why do you sometimes needle the foot to treat the hand?
Acupuncture is based on a connecting system of energy channels or meridians. A point on a part of the body distant from the area of pain connects through these channels to treat the pain location.
why do you ask so many questions on the health history and intake?
Many questions asked during the intake may at first seem unrelated to the specific condition with which a patient presents. For example, if a patient arrives with shoulder pain, the practitioner may ask about foot problems, sleep, diet, etc. Structural and internal problems can occur when any one part of the body is not in balance.
Acupuncture treats the whole body system, therefore all imbalances provide important information regarding diagnosis and treatment.
why do you need to take my pulse?
Blood in the arteries is moved by Qi/energy, by feeling the qualities of this movement through the pulse (rapid, slow, forceful, intermittent, etc.), the practitioner gathers important information regarding a patient’s condition and the current state of each acupuncture meridian.
how does the pulse relate to organs?
There are 3 positions and 3 depths on each wrist which correspond to particular acupuncture meridians, which in turn relate to specific organ systems, helping the practitioner form a diagnosis and treatment plan.
is acupuncture safe for children?
Yes. There are gentle techniques and styles of acupuncture where the needle does not penetrate the skin.
my acupuncturist said that I had a “deficient spleen”, should I be worried?
When an acupuncturist talks about an organ, such as the spleen or bladder, for instance, they are generally talking about a system or channel more than the actual physical organ. No worries, this is simply a different form of language used in Eastern medicine.
is acupuncture covered by insurance?
Some health insurance policies cover acupuncture treatments for specific conditions. Ask your insurance provider about acupuncture coverage by calling their patient information/benefits line. Upon request, Holistic Health Associates will provide a statement/receipt which you can then submit to your insurance provider.
what conditions can acupuncture treat?
With acupuncture can treat pain, headache, constipation, insomnia, skin issues, anxiety, depression, stress, and many other concerns. Health issues that at first seem unrelated are often interconnected and are treated in a holistic way with acupuncture.
how many treatments will it take to resolve my condition?
This is a difficult question without first discussing your health history. How long the condition has persisted, current health, and other factors unique to each patient help determine a course of treatment. For example, a sore shoulder may feel better after a single treatment, though the underlying origin of the soreness may take longer to resolve.
how do i prepare for an acupuncture treatment?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing (sleeves that can be rolled above the elbow, pants that can be rolled above the knee).
Consider the issue or issues that you would like to discuss. If it helps, bring in a few notes concerning these issues. For example:
- When did you first notice these symptoms?
- How often do your symptoms occur?
- What triggers your symptoms (ex. stress, movement, weather)?
- How have your symptoms affected your daily life (ex. sleep, work, school)?
- Have you tried other forms of therapy for these symptoms (ex. chiropractic, surgery, medication)?
Avoid heavy (starchy, fried, spicy, oily) foods and alcohol prior to your acupuncture treatment. Eat a light meal or snack about 1 to 2 hours before your appointment.
If this is your first acupuncture treatment, it is suggested that you show up about 10” before your scheduled appointment to fill out a short health history. Or, you can print and fill out a Health History form beforehand, and bring this with you to your first appointment.
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