Q: Isn't acupuncture one of those "airy fairy" New Age treatments?
A: Acupuncture does have what some would consider "New Age" aspects like its emphasis on spiritual and emotional well-being, but it is not as "new" as many would think. Chinese medicine is based on thousands of years of observation and the recording of its results. Unlike Western medicine which separates the spirit, emotions and body, Chinese medicine holds that all three must be healthy in order for optimal health to be attained.

Q: Do acupuncture needles hurt?
A: Acupuncture is a relatively pain free procedure meant to give you relief from pain, not to inflict more. Most of the time patients say they don't even feel the needle go in. Most patients find acupuncture extremely relaxing and eagerly look forward to their treatments.

Often the practitioner will try to get a particular sensation in the acupuncture point or meridian called "da qi." This is often experienced as a dull, achy or heavy sensation.

Occcasionally there is a slight sting upon inserting or stimulating the needle. Should this happen, the needle is repositioned or withdrawn and painlessly reinserted.

Q: Does the Holistic Health Center use sterile, disposable needles?
A: Yes, always. We use pre-sterilized, single use needles made of stainless steel to ensure your comfort and safety.

Q: What types of illness or injuries can acupuncture help?
A: Acupuncture treats a wide range of conditions including, but not limited to pain, infertility, menstrual pain, stress, sports injuries, migraines, asthma, post operative pain, allergies, TMJ, chronic illness, women's health, constipation, depression, sciatica, nausea, anxiety, addiction and many other chronic conditions.

Q: How does acupuncture work?
A: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine there is a continuous flow of energy (called Chi or Qi) throughout the body. Blockage of the energy flow is the cause of illness or pain. Stimulating the acupuncture points gets the energy flowing, thereby relieving pain or illness. It's a different way of looking at healing than Western medicine, so some may find it a bit confusing. Your acupuncturist will be happy to explain how acupuncture works in more detail during your initial treatment.

There has been much research on acupuncture and its effects on the body. Studies have shown that acupuncture alleviates pain by causing the release of endorphins (the body's natural pain killers). Other studies have revealed that acupuncture stimulates certain areas of the brain's cortex to help in pain control as well as regulate organ systems. However, this does not fully explain the positive effects of acupuncture since we are using a different paradigm in Chinese medicine.

Q: What is an acupuncture treatment like?
A: Most of our patients tell us that they find their acupuncture treatments to be very relaxing and look forward to their treatments. Your first acupuncture treatment begins with a thorough intake and evaluation of your current condition, often including observation of the tongue and palpation of the pulse.

You will then be shown to a warm, comfortable room where you can change in privacy. After lying on the soft padded table, covered by a warm towel, your acupuncturist will knock and enter the room. Your acupuncturist will then go over the procedures they have planned and will begin with your consent, explaining what is happening every step of the way.

After the acupuncturist inserts the needles, you are able to rest or nap for ten to twenty minutes while the needles are in. By this time, patients are usually so relaxed and the needles so painless that they drift right off to sleep. The acupuncturist may also choose to use other therapeutic modalities including therapeutic massage, cupping, electrostimulation of the acupuncture needles or moxibustion.

Q: What is "moxibustion?"
A: Moxibustion (often called "moxa") is made out of herba artemesia vulgaris/mugwort. Moxa comes in different forms and is used in different ways. One commonly used method is to hold a stick of moxa over acupuncture points or areas on the body (without touching the skin) to stimulate the flow of energy. Moxa facilitates this by warming and accelerating the energy flow.

Q: How many acupuncture treatments will I need?
A: The number of acupuncture treatments required and the spacing of treatments depends upon the particular condition being treated, how long the person has had the condition, how severe it is, how the person responds to the sessions, and other individual factors. In other words, we will be better able to give you the answer to this question after you've received some acupuncture treatments.

Q: Will my medical insurance cover acupuncture treatments?
A: Some insurance companies cover acupuncture treatments, massage therapy & Naturopath. We do not do billing for insurance but we do prepare the super-bill for you to submit to your insurance company. Please call your insurance company to verify if your policy covers our services.