The term acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body using a variety of techniques to vitalize ones healing energy. Acupuncture involves penetrating the skin with very thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation. Acupuncture has been practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years. According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults have used acupuncture, and an estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the previous year.

In Eastern Medicine terms:

A: Acupuncture works by unblocking and promoting the energetic flow called Qi (pronounced “chee”) of the body through a network called “meridians,” similar to the systems of nerves and blood vessels. The entire body’s vitality and its functions depend on this energetic network. Pain or illnesses are formed from the blockage or lack of flow, like a dam blocking a stream watering the trees. Each meridian is connected to a specific organ, and the pathways are mapped onto the body in specific acupuncture points. These points are like relay stations that regulate the network. When being needled, they activate the communication and restore the Qi flow of the meridians.

In Western Medicine terms:

A: Western Medicine has yet to fully understand how acupuncture works, mainly due to the differences in medical structure and holistic philosophy. With research, popular theories have come up such as the Autonomic Nervous System Theory, Gate-Control Theory, and Blood Chemistry Theory. These systems are thought to be activated when certain points are being needled, resulting in pain relief, and improvement in immunity response. The specific points have also been shown to have lower electrical resistance than non-acupuncture points. The latest research has been able to identify the physical structure of the meridians as micro-tubular networks called a Bonghan Channels, rich in DNA fragments, stem cells, and hyaluronic acid. They are theorized to be able carry a high volume of information versus the limited one-way signals of the nervous system.

A: Qi is the fundamental energy that makes everything exist and function. When it comes to health, Qi is the equivalence of biological electricity that circulates, activates, and balances the overall functioning of our bodies. The abundance of Qi or lack thereof, as well as the quality of flow, determines our physical, and emotional well-being. Qi flows on pathways called “the meridians.” Through thousands of years of experiments, the meridians have been accurately mapped. There are more than 360 acupuncture points where Qi can be accessed and activated.

A: Your acupuncturist will first ask you questions about your current condition(s), your health history, diet and lifestyle, and any related issues/symptoms. We will then look at your tongue, and take readings of your pulse to determine the diagnosis in Chinese medicine terms. Physical examinations may be necessary to further help the diagnosis. Once the treatment protocol is planned out for you, you will receive your first acupuncture treatment.

A: This is a very common question! Acupuncture is very gentle, and most often painless. The needles are so thin that about 5 of them can fit in a hypodermic needle. Everyone is a little different in their sensitivity, however, and you may feel in the area being needled a slight sensation of heaviness, achiness, warmth, tingling, or even relaxation. This is absolutely normal.

A: The number of treatments depends on the severity and the type of condition that you have. Recent conditions will typically need fewer treatments than chronic conditions. The average number of treatments to begin is 4-6. It can be done once, or twice a week, whichever yields the best result for you.

    Acupuncture works in a series of treatments.  You should not have treatments too close together, nor too far apart.  For example, you may initially come in twice a week for the first 2 weeks. Then once your symptoms improve, we’ll back off to once a week, steadily increasing the level of improvement.  Once the symptoms are basically gone, it’s ideal to come in once every 3 weeks or once a month for a tune-up on the results.  It’s important for every patient to keep this structure to prevent off-and-on symptoms from creeping back in-between, so that results will stay more permanent.

A: Acupuncture is very safe, and minimally invasive. Your acupuncturist has been trained extensively for safe handling of the needle. Make sure your acupuncturist is licensed, and has been trained in a nationally accredited school by NCCAOM, with at least 2800 hours, and has a diploma in Oriental Medicine.