Acupuncture FAQ
What can
acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture is effective in the
treatment of a variety of health conditions, including:
Anxiety Indigestion
Arthritis Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Menopause Symptoms
Common Cold Menstrual Disorders
Depression Nausea
Fertility Pain
Fibromyalgia PMS
Headache Sleep Disturbances
Hypertension Stress
How does
acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is based on the
Oriental Medicine concept of Qi (chi), the vital energy which animates
our bodies and protects us from disease. Qi travels throughout the body via a
network of channels commonly referred to as acupuncture meridians.
When the Qi is abundant and flows freely, we feel vibrant, healthy and
balanced. When the Qi becomes depleted, or the flow is blocked, we experience
unpleasant physical, mental and emotional symptoms. By inserting fine, sterile
needles into specific points along the acupuncture meridians, your
acupuncturist can clear blockages and restore the free flow of Qi to all of
your body systems.
Is
acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is extremely safe. Acupuncture
needles are sterile, used only once, and then discarded. The National Institute
of Health (NIH) has acknowledged that "one
of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects
is substantially lower than that of many drugs or other accepted medical
procedures".
Does
acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are very
thin, and insertion generally causes very little or no discomfort. After the needles
are inserted, you may not feel them at all, or you may experience what
acupuncturists call the "Qi sensation". Common Qi sensations include warmth,
tingling, pulsing or a deep sensation of pressure. Acupuncture is well
tolerated, and most people experience a deep sense of relaxation during
treatment.
How many
treatments will I need?
The frequency and duration of
treatment varies greatly depending on the individual and the nature of the
condition. Generally, you should plan to
receive 3 to 6 treatments in order to achieve significant results. Your
acupuncturist will offer herbal medicine, dietary guidelines and lifestyle
modifications in an effort to speed your recovery and reduce your need for
treatment. In most cases, acute conditions will resolve much faster than
chronic or degenerative disorders. For
this reason, you may want to consider acupuncture as your first-line defense
against illness, not only as a last resort when conventional treatments have
failed.
