Acupuncture

What is acupuncture and how does it work?

Acupuncture is a natural art and a holistic therapy that involves the use of fine needles, heat, and/or electricity, to stimulate various active points on the body. It is effective in treating acute conditions as well as improving general health by preventing and alleviating pain and disease. The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide variety of medical issues, including muscular, respiratory, digestive, neurological, and reproductive disorders. (See “What can acupuncture treat?” in right column of this website for a list of common medical problems acupuncture can treat.)

Can acupuncture treat my problem?

Acupuncture can help for most problems. The most common conditions my patients are suffering from when they first come for acupuncture treatment are:

• lower back pain

• neck pain

• shoulder pain

• elbow pain

• ankle pain

• knee pain

The second most common conditions are:

• headaches

• TMJ pain

• stomach problems

• gynecological problems

• sleeping problems

• stress

The purpose of acupuncture is to help balance the body. If you are being treated for a specific condition, my patients also often find improvement from other ailments they may be suffering from. Acupuncture has been proven to help your general health.

Do you treat acne, acne scars, wrinkles, enlarged pores and other skin conditions?

Yes, this one of our specialties. Click to learn more about acupuncture for skin conditions

How many treatments do I need?

It depends on what the problem is. Generally speaking for an acute pain problem, you should be treated twice per week for 1 or 2 weeks. For chronic pain, 1 or 2 times a week for a few weeks. The frequency and duration of your treatment will be discussed during your first visit.

What should I expect to happen during my first office visit?

I will first ask you about the nature of your problem and then discuss with you your medical history, specifically relating to your issue. How long have you had the condition? What doctors have you visited? What treatments have you already tried? I will then discuss with you what your problem is from a Traditional Oriental Medicine point of view. I will also recommend a course of acupuncture treatment and give you an idea of how frequent and how many visits it should take to get relief. I will assess whether I think acupuncture is the best course of treatment for your condition. If it is not, I will suggest that another type of doctor would be more suited for your treatment. I would then administer your first acupuncture treatment.

What results can I expect after my first treatment?

For an acute problem, you should expect some relief. For a chronic issue or other internal issue or an emotional issue it will probably take several treatments before you feel the difference. The first and second treatments are usually general acupuncture, whose purpose is to help the energy flow in the whole body. Remember, every body is different, so results will vary.

How long does it take for an acupuncture treatment?

About one hour.

Does it hurt?

We use very thin sterilized stainless steel one-time use acupuncture needles. Generally it does not hurt. At times you may feel a mild stinging sensation when the needle is inserted, but it goes away quickly. Acupuncture is commonly used even with little children, without any problems. Needles are generally inserted about a quarter inch into the skin, in certain places a little bit deeper.

How many needles do you use?

It depends on what area is being treated. For example, for the lower back pain I use 15 to 20 needles.

Can acupuncture make my symptoms worse?

No, as long as you are going to a trained, licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture will not worsen your symptoms. It is safe and has no side effects.

Once my condition improves, is it permanent or will it reoccur?

As long as you take care of yourself, it should not reoccur. It is important to change whatever behaviors or activities that led to the condition in the first place. For some conditions, many of my patients find it very helpful to have a general acupuncture treatment once in a while to help maintain overall health and to discourage the initial condition from recurring.