HOME     MEDICINE     CALENDAR     LOCATIONS     NETWORK     BIO    ACUPUNCTURE     HERBS     TUINA     NUTRITION     QIGONG     HAWAII HERB HIKES    

COMMON QUESTIONS

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific energy, or qi, points selected to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems.

These points are located along meridians that relate to the body areas and the organs.

Acupuncture Theory

• Acupuncture treats disease by treating the energy, or qi, where it accumulates precisely (acupoint) with a needle.

• Approximately 365 of these points make up an energy web known as the meridians and collaterals, or jing-luo.

• The 12 regular meridians, coming in yin-yang pairs, are responsible for regulating the flow of the zang-fu organ energy and the 8 spiritual meridians serve as reservoirs that supply qi to the regular meridians. 

• Yin represents the zang internal, solid organs, and yang represents the fu external, hollow organs. 

• Diagnosis and treatment are evaluated simply by examining the disharmonies between yin and yang. Yin and yang can be evaluated 6 other ways: cold/hot, excess/deficient, interior/exterior. The basic acupuncture treatment theory is to tonify when deficient and sedate when excess. 

How does acupuncture work?  

• Modern Western medicine has many theories on how acupuncture works but cannot totally explain it.

• Traditional acupuncture is based on ancient theories of the flow of qi (energy) through distinct meridians or pathways that cover the body somewhat like nerves and blood vessels.

• Acupuncture allows qi to flow to areas where it is deficient and away from where it is excess. Acupuncture restores energetic balance to the body.

• If the qi is flowing freely there is no pain.

Does it hurt?  

If the acupuncturist has obtained the correct stimulus of the needle, the patient should feel some cramping, heaviness, distention, tingling, or electrical sensation either around the needle or traveling up and down the affected meridian. Although the Chinese consider acupuncture painless, some Western cultures may categorize these sensations as pain. In any case, if the patient experiences any discomfort it is usually mild. Acupuncture maybe slightly painful, but it doesn't hurt you.

How deep do needles go?

That may depend upon:

• The nature of the problem

• The point location  

• The patient’s size, constitution, or age  

• The acupuncturist’s style or school

• Usually needles are inserted from ¼ to 1 inch in depth

Are needles clean?  

Best practice among acupuncturists in America today is to use sterilized, individually packaged, disposable needles. Needles should not be saved and reused for later treatments. This eliminates the possibility of transmitting a communicable disease by a contaminated needle.

Emotional:

• Weight Management

• Stress, Anxiety

• Depression, Fatigue

• Memory Loss

• Trauma

• Sleep Disorders: Insomnia/Hypersomnia

Neurological:

• Headache, Migraine, Dizziness, Vertigo

• Neuralgia, TMJ

• Post-operation pain

• Stroke residuals

• Parkinson’s disease

Respiratory/Circulatory:

• Bronchitis

• Asthma

• Common Cold, Allergies

• HBP (Hypertension)/LBP

• Palpitations, Chest pain

Digestive:

• Constipation

• Chronic Diarrhea

• Indigestion  

• Intestinal Obstruction

• Ulcers

Urogenital:

• Nephritis, Kidney Stones

• UTI (Urinary Tract Infection), painful urination

• Bed-wetting

Musculoskeletal:

• Pain and weakness in: back, neck, shoulder, limbs, localized trauma

• Muscle cramping

• Sprains and strains  

• Sciatica Arthritis

Dermatological:

• Hives

• Herpes Zoster  

• Eczema, Acne

Obstetric and Gynecological:

• PMS, cramps

• Uterine Prolapse  

• Leukorrhea, Yeast Infections, Candida  

• PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)

• Insufficient Lactation  

• Impotence/Infertility

Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Diseases:

• Poor Vision: Hyperopia/Myopia (Farsighted/Nearsighted), Color Blindness  

• Conjunctivitis  

• Optic Neuritis

• Meniere’s Disease, Tinnitus, Deafness

• Sinusitis, Rhinitis, Nose Bleed

• Tonsillitis  

• Toothache

How many treatments will I need?

That depends upon the duration, severity, and nature of the complaint.

• Acute conditions: 1+

• Chronic conditions: 5-15

• Some degenerative conditions: many treatments over time

Is there anything I need to do before receiving an acupuncture treatment?

Yes, for maximum treatment benefit:

• Maintain good hygiene to reduce the possibility of bacterial infection

• To prevent loss, do not wear jewelry

• Wear loose clothing. Avoid one-piece dresses.

• Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry, full, emotionally upset, or shortly after sex.

Is there anything I need to do while receiving acupuncture?

Yes, for maximum treatment benefit:

• Relax. And ask your acupuncturist questions.

• Do not change your position or move suddenly. Let your practitioner know if you are uncomfortable.

• If you are nervous you may experience dizziness, nausea, cold, sweat, shortness of breath, or faintness. Inform your acupuncturist immediately so he or she can readjust or withdraw the needles. Also let your acupuncturist know if you experience increasing heat or pain.

• If your treatment becomes unbearable at any point, be sure to speak up so your acupuncturist can readjust or stop the treatment.

What can I expect after treatment?  

• 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 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. There may be no immediate relief but the pain may diminish over the next couple of days. Generally, you should feel better.

Treatment Benefits

• Regulates qi and blood in the meridians  

• Nourishes and protects the organs and tissues

• Relaxes the tissues to restore qi

• Removes blockages of stagnant qi and congealed blood

• Alleviates pain

• Prevents and treats diseases of the various physiological systems: digestive, circulatory, respiratory, urinary, immune, endocrine, and nervous