Frequently Asked Questions
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the modalities of Chinese medicine. Acupuncture consists of the insertion of fine needles in to the body at specific points shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems. These points have been mapped by the Chinese over a period of two thousand years, and there are more than a thousand known acupoints. In the past three decades, electromagnetic research has confirmed the existence and location of these points.
What problems can acupuncture treat?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture's effectiveness for many common disorders, such as:
1) Ear, nose and Throat Disorders
Toothaches, earaches. Sinusitis, rhinitis
2) Respiratory Disorders
Colds and flu's, bronchitis, asthma, allergies
3) Circulatory Disorders
Hypertension, high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris
4) Urogenital Disorders
Cystitis, stress incontinence, prostatitis, prostatic hypertrophy, neurogenic
bladder
5) Gastrointestinal Disorders
Food allergies, nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers,
colitis
6) Gynecological Disorders
Menstrual irregularity, endometriosis, PMS, infertility, menopausal
syndrome
7) Musculoskeletal Disorders
Tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, TMJ, sciatica, low back pain, arthritis,
carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia
8) Psycho-emotional and Neurological Disorders
Depression, anxiety, insomnia, headache, migraines, trigeminal neuralgia,
intercostals neuralgia, post-stroke paralysis, dizziness, tinnitus
Is Acupuncture painful?
Acupuncture needles are very fine. In fact, they are considerably finer than needles used for injections. Often you do not feel the needles at all. Some of the needles may cause a feeling of warmth or a sensation of heaviness. Most find their acupuncture sessions very relaxing and centering.
Is Acupuncture safe?
When performed by a competently trained, licensed professional, acupuncture is extremely safe. All licensed acupuncturists today use individually package, sterile, disposable needles. So there is virtually no chance of infection.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments may vary depending on a number of factors, including: the age of the patient, the overall health of the patient, and the duration, severity, and nature of the complaint. A series of 7 to 10 treatments may resolve most chronic problems. Some conditions, however, may require many treatments over time. Often the patient can help to reduce the number of treatments necessary by following suggestions that may include: dietary modifications, self-massage, relaxation techniques, specific exercise regimes, and/or Chinese herbal medicines.
Are there different styles of acupuncture?
Acupuncture originated in China, as far as we know, but has spread to such countries as Japan, Korea, Vietnam, America and Europe. While it has taken different characteristics in each locale the core theory remains the same. At the Concord Clinical Health Center we practice Chinese and Japanese Acupuncture. The type of style selected depends on the needs of the patient. The most significant difference that the patient notices is that the Japanese style makes use of finer needles often with a more gentle needling approach.
What is Chinese Medicine?
Chinese Medicine is a broad topic. When most Americans think of Chinese Medicine they think of acupuncture. But Chinese Medicine, in addition to acupuncture, includes: herbal medicine, nutrition, moxibustion, electromagnetic stimulation, exercise and tui na (Chinese massage).
