| 1. |
Q: |
How deep do the needles go?
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A: |
That depends upon the nature of the problem, the location of the points
selected, the
patient¹s size, age, and constitution, and upon the acupuncturist¹s
style or school. Usually, needles are inserted from 0.5 to 1 inch in depth.
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| 2. |
Q: |
Does it hurt? |
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Acupuncture needle are fine and flexible, just like human hair. They are
different from medical hypodermic injection needles, which are stiff, hollow,
and thick. If your practitioner has obtained the correct stimulus of the needle,
you may feel some heaviness, distention, tingling, or electric sensation either
around the needle or traveling up or down the affected meridian, or energy
pathway. This sensation is minor and first-time patients are usually amazed at
how comfortable they are during treatment.
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| 3. |
Q: |
Are the needles clean? |
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The practice among acupuncturists in America today is to use sterilized,
individually packaged, disposable needles. Needles are never saved and reused
for later treatments. This eliminates the possibility of transmitting a
communicable disease by a contaminated needle.
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| 4. |
Q: |
How does acupuncture work? |
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Modern Western medicine cannot explain how acupuncture works. Traditional
acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese theories of the flow of Qi (Energy) and
Xue (Blood) through distinct meridians or pathways that cover the body somewhat
like the nerves and blood vessels do. According to ancient theory, acupuncture
allows Qi to flow to areas where it is deficient and away from where it is
excessive. In this way, acupuncture regulates and restores the harmonious
energetic balance of the body. In Chinese there is a saying, "There is no
pain if there is free flow; if there is pain, there is no free flow."
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| 5. |
Q; |
Are there different styles of acupuncture? |
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Yes, there are. Acupuncture originated in China but has spread to Korea,
Japan, Vietnam, Europe, the British Isles, and America. In different countries,
different styles have developed based on differing opinions as to theory and
technique. Patients should talk to their practitioners about their particular
style and learn as much as possible about the treatment being proposed.
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| 6. |
Q: |
What criteria should one use in choosing an acupuncturist?
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Patients should ask about where the practitioner trained, how long the training
was, how long he or she has been in practice, and what experience the
practitioner has had in treating the patient¹s specific ailment. Acupuncture is
a licensed and regulated healthcare profession in more than half the states in
the U.S., including New York.
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| 7. |
Q: |
How many treatments and how often will I need them? |
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That depends upon the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint.
You may need only a single treatment for an acute condition. A series of five to
fifteen treatments may resolve many chronic problems. Some degenerative
conditions may require many treatments over time. Generally, the recommendation
is two to three treatments per week for the first few weeks. Once a week
treatment may be given after the condition has significantly improved.
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| 8. |
Q: |
How long do treatments take?
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Depending on the patient’s condition and treatment plan, usually needles
remain in the patient’s body for 30 minutes.
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| 9. |
Q: |
What should I know about the proposed treatments? |
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Your practitioner will explain the nature of your problem and what
treatment he or she is recommending. Your practitioner will tell you what
benefits and risks there are to the proposed treatment and what other treatment
options are available to you through this practitioner or by referral to another
practitioner or physician. If you agree to go ahead with the treatments, your
practitioner will tell you what progress to expect, what to do if you don¹t
experience that progress, and what to do if you feel worse.
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| 10. |
Q: |
Is there anything I need to do before receiving an acupuncture treatment?
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A: Yes, the following suggestions will help you get the maximum benefits
from your treatment:
1. Maintain good personal hygiene to reduce the possibility
of bacterial infection.
2. Wear loose clothing and avoid wearing tight stockings.
3. Avoid treatment when
excessively fatigued, hungry, full, emotionally upset, or
shortly after sex.
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| 11. |
Q: |
Is there anything I need to do while receiving acupuncture?
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Yes, again:
1. Relax, There is
no need to be frightened. Ask your practitioner any questions
you have along the way so that you can get the most benefit possible from
the
treatment.
2. Do not change your position or move
suddenly. If you are uncomfortable, tell
your practitioner.
3. Very few people
experience dizziness, nausea, cold sweat,
shortness of breath, or faintness
during treatment. This can occur if you are
nervous. Inform your practitioner
immediately so he or she can readjust or
withdraw the needles. Also let your practitioner know if you feel an increasing
amount of pain or burning sensation
during the treatment.
4. If you find your treatment unbearable at any point, be
sure to speak up so
that your practitioner can make proper adjustments or stop
the treatment.
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| 12. |
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What can I expect after treatment? |
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You may note a spot of blood at one or more of the needle sites and/or a
small bruise could develop. These should not be harmful, but please talk to your
practitioner if you are concerned. Patients often experience the most dramatic
results after the first treatment. Some patients experience an immediate total
or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms. This relief may last or some
pain may return after a day or so. In a few cases, there may be no immediate
relief, but patients notice the diminishment of pain over the next couple of
days. Generally, you should expect to feel better, but in some small percentage
of cases the treatment provokes a “healing crisis? in such cases, the pain
actually increases as a result of the treatment.
This is actually a positive sign and usually indicates that relief will
follow subsequent treatments
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| 13. |
Q: |
How effective is acupuncture? |
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Acupuncture is highly effective not only as a preventative medicine, but
as a drug-free treatment of signs and symptoms. Studies indicate that
acupuncture influences the central and peripheral nervous system and evidence
shows it releases endorphins from the brain, which makes acupuncture
particularly effective in pain control. Among a host of factors, acupuncture
affects sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the blood; the
functioning of the gastrointestinal system; and the activity of the endocrine
system. Acupuncture works with the body, strengthening and balancing energy. It
improves circulation and allows the body to heal itself more quickly and more
completely.
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| 14. |
Q: |
What if I am healthy? Can acupuncture help prevent future problems or enhance
health? |
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Yes. Acupuncture has traditionally been used as a preventive medicine.
Recent research has now verified that acupuncture stimulates immune function,
which increases resistance to bacterial and viral infections. Acupuncture can
dramatically increase overall vitality and energy. It treats underlying causes,
resulting in a deeper kind of healing. It brings about profound changes in
peoples?lives on the emotional level as well. Many people find that occasional
acupuncture tune-ups are the best medicine to feel "in sync" and
insure continuing health.
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| 15. |
Q: |
Is acupuncture recommended for emergency situations or acute medical
problems?
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It is strongly recommended that you first seek immediate medical
attention at a nearby hospital for such conditions as difficulty in breathing or
shortness of breath; dizziness, fainting or feeling faint; pain or pressure in
the chest or upper abdomen; sudden weakness or severe pain; sudden bleeding;
injuries; falls; suicide attempts; and when surgery, tests, x-rays and life
support equipment may be needed. Acupuncture can be given in certain instances,
depending on the circumstances involved.
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| 16. |
Q: |
Can acupuncture improve athletic performance or treat
sports or work-out
injuries? |
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Absolutely yes. Acupuncture can speed healing and eliminate the
discomfort of many sports injuries.
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| 17. |
Q. |
Can I continue taking my regular medication while receiving acupuncture?
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Yes. Acupuncture treatment may be used along with other medical care to
great advantage. It is used for pain control after other medical or dental
procedures, for improving healing, and to lessen the side effects of some
Western protocols. Acupuncture is a drug-free protocol.
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| 18. |
Q: |
Can acupuncture be used with infants or children? |
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A: |
Yes. Needleless treatment is primarily used for young children. Studies
have shown that it is useful for treating jaundice in newborns. Infants and
babies can also be successfully treated for colic, earache, cerebral palsy,
myopia, and bed-wetting. Many parents have found that by introducing their
children to acupuncture, many childhood diseases are avoided. In the Orient,
parents are encouraged to have their children treated every month as a
preventive measure.
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| 19. |
Q: |
Can acupuncture help senior citizens? |
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Yes. Acupuncture is for people of all ages, but the elderly can often
experience great benefits from enhanced circulation. It can assist with
insomnia. It can increase mental clarity and regulate blood pressure. In the
Orient it is recommended for stroke patients as soon as possible after their
diagnosis and is helpful in eliminating or decreasing related paralysis.
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| 20. |
Q: |
Can acupuncture be effective when other treatments have failed? |
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Yes. Each system of medicine has its own areas in which it has its
greatest effectiveness. Acupuncture¹s advantage is its diagnostic and treatment
system with a broad and deep understanding of our energetic nature and the
impact of energy in healing. It is not limited by western medicine¹s assumption
that disease is based in biochemistry. Acupuncture is powerful medicine, which
works despite belief or unknown factors.
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| 21. |
Q: |
What are other aspects of Chinese Medicine?
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A: |
Acupuncture is one of three major branches of traditional Chinese medicine.
The other two are Herbal Medicine and the practice of a physical and mental
discipline called Qi Gong. Depending on the patient’s need, treatment plans
may call for any or all of the available methods.
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