Acupuncture FAQs:
Can Acupuncture Help My Condition?
There are literally hundreds of conditions, disorders and diseases that acupuncture can effectively treat. Treatments are tailored for individual case circumstances, which enhances the efficacy of the treatment. An experienced practitioner will determine if acupuncture treatment is right for you, based upon your symptoms and unique medical history. (please refer to - What Can Acupuncture Treat?)
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Generally not, but for some a little, and usually less than one would imagine. Many first-time patients at the clinic have a bit of anxiety about the needling procedure. Most people in the U.S. are familiar with vaccinations and having blood drawn, but not with acupuncture. The actual treatment comes as a relief to most patients. The needles that you have encountered in the past (at the office of your primary care physician) are all hypodermic needles. Larger needles that have a hollow body for injecting and/or drawing fluids. Acupuncture needles are significantly thinner, smaller, and not hollow. Different sizes of needles are used depending on what acupuncture points are chosen, but the needles are all about as thick as a human hair. As a result of their smaller size, the insertion tends to be far more comfortable. Many patients feel no pain at all or just a slight pinching will be felt. The amount of pain you will feel during a treatment will depend on how sensitive you are to the acupuncture needles, and what acupuncture points are used for your treatment (some points are more sensitive than others).
How Effective Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an effective treatment method used by millions of people in China, Korea, Japan, and other countries. Acupuncture encompasses a host of healing techniques that have been practiced for more than 2000 years. Though many different techniques and styles are in used in the West, scientific evidence supporting acupuncture’s effectiveness is limited. This is partly due to the difficulty in studying a dynamic, patient-centered system with the current research methodology that is dictated by the reductionist standards of scientific inquiry. However, acupuncture, unlike many indigenous medical practices in the world, has withstood the test of time in China and in the West, with many practitioners and patients reporting real benefits for many conditions.
How Many Sessions Do I Need?
Most disorders require between 6 and 12 sessions in order to effectively correct or alleviate a problem. At the time of the initial examination, your Acupuncturist will evaluate your condition and will assess the approximate number of treatments needed.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture is extremely safe. A licensed Acupuncturist uses individually packaged, sterilized needles which are properly disposed (never recycled), in accordance with health regulations.
More info at California State Acupuncture Board:
http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/consumers/consumer_faqs.shtml
There are literally hundreds of conditions, disorders and diseases that acupuncture can effectively treat. Treatments are tailored for individual case circumstances, which enhances the efficacy of the treatment. An experienced practitioner will determine if acupuncture treatment is right for you, based upon your symptoms and unique medical history. (please refer to - What Can Acupuncture Treat?)
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Generally not, but for some a little, and usually less than one would imagine. Many first-time patients at the clinic have a bit of anxiety about the needling procedure. Most people in the U.S. are familiar with vaccinations and having blood drawn, but not with acupuncture. The actual treatment comes as a relief to most patients. The needles that you have encountered in the past (at the office of your primary care physician) are all hypodermic needles. Larger needles that have a hollow body for injecting and/or drawing fluids. Acupuncture needles are significantly thinner, smaller, and not hollow. Different sizes of needles are used depending on what acupuncture points are chosen, but the needles are all about as thick as a human hair. As a result of their smaller size, the insertion tends to be far more comfortable. Many patients feel no pain at all or just a slight pinching will be felt. The amount of pain you will feel during a treatment will depend on how sensitive you are to the acupuncture needles, and what acupuncture points are used for your treatment (some points are more sensitive than others).
How Effective Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an effective treatment method used by millions of people in China, Korea, Japan, and other countries. Acupuncture encompasses a host of healing techniques that have been practiced for more than 2000 years. Though many different techniques and styles are in used in the West, scientific evidence supporting acupuncture’s effectiveness is limited. This is partly due to the difficulty in studying a dynamic, patient-centered system with the current research methodology that is dictated by the reductionist standards of scientific inquiry. However, acupuncture, unlike many indigenous medical practices in the world, has withstood the test of time in China and in the West, with many practitioners and patients reporting real benefits for many conditions.
How Many Sessions Do I Need?
Most disorders require between 6 and 12 sessions in order to effectively correct or alleviate a problem. At the time of the initial examination, your Acupuncturist will evaluate your condition and will assess the approximate number of treatments needed.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture is extremely safe. A licensed Acupuncturist uses individually packaged, sterilized needles which are properly disposed (never recycled), in accordance with health regulations.
More info at California State Acupuncture Board:
http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/consumers/consumer_faqs.shtml