Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the practice of penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles which are then activated through gentle and specific movements of the practitioner's hands or with electrical stimulation.

Acupuncture is part of the ancient practice of eastern medicine. Traditional practitioners believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow (Qi, pronounced "chee") through the body that is responsible for overall health. Disruption of the energy flow can cause disease. By applying acupuncture to certain points, it is thought to improve the flow of Qi, thereby improving health.

Studies have shown that acupuncture is effective for a variety of conditions.

What does acupuncture feel like?

Acupuncture is done using hair-thin needles. Most people report feeling minimal, if any, pain as the needle is inserted. The needle is inserted to a point that produces a sensation of pressure or ache. Needles may be heated during the treatment or mild electric current may be applied to them. Some people report acupuncture makes them feel energized. Others say they feel relaxed.

Improper placement of the needle can cause pain during treatment. Needles must be sterilized to prevent infection. That is why it is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner. The FDA regulates acupuncture needles just as it does other medical devices under good manufacturing practices and single-use standards of sterility.

Instead of needles, other forms of stimulation are sometimes used over the acupuncture points, including:

• Heat (moxibustion)

• Pressure (acupressure)

• Friction

• Suction (cupping)

• Impulses of electromagnetic energy

How does acupuncture affect the body?

Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies to treat the following:

• Nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy

• Dental pain after surgery

• Addiction

• Headaches

• Menstrual cramps

• Tennis elbow

• Fibromyalgia

• Myofascial pain

• Osteoarthritis

• Back pain

• Shoulder Pain

• Knee Pain

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Asthma

It may also help with stroke rehabilitation.

What conditions may benefit from acupuncture?

Many Americans seek acupuncture treatment for relief of chronic pain, such as arthritis or low back pain. Acupuncture, however, has expanded uses in other parts of the world. Before considering acupuncture, talk to your doctor. Conditions that may benefit from acupuncture include the following:

Digestive:

• Gastritis

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Hepatitis

• Hemorrhoids

Emotional:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Insomnia

• Nervousness

• Neurosis

Eye-Ear-Throat

• Rhinitis

• Sinusitis

• Sore throat

Gynecological:

• Menstrual pain

• Infertility

Musculoskeletal

• Arthritis

• Back pain

• Muscle cramping

• Muscle pain and weakness

• Neck pain

• Sciatica

• Headaches

• Migraines

Neurological

• Neurogenic bladder dysfunction

• Parkinson's disease

• Postoperative pain

• Stroke

Respiratory

• Allergic rhinitis

• Sinusitis

• Bronchitis

Miscellaneous

• Irritable bladder

• Prostatitis

• Male infertility

• Some forms of impotence

• Addiction [1]

Which Acupuncture style do you use, Traditional Chinese Acupuncture or Japanese Style?

Our licensed practitioner uses Japanese Style Acupuncture.

What is the difference between Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Acupuncture and Japanese Style Acupuncture?

In both TCM and Japanese style acupuncture, disease is seen as an imbalance in the organ system or Qi meridians, and the goal of any remedy or treatment is to assist the body in re-establishing its innate harmony. Disease can be caused by internal factors like emotions, external factors like the environment and weather, and other factors such as injuries, trauma, diet, and germs. Both forms of acupuncture have their roots in the Orient, but the major similarity is found only in the name. All acupuncture practiced today stems from classic medical principals first recorded in ancient China over 2000 years ago. Since the 6th century A.D. (when these texts were first introduced to Japan) the two have gone their separate ways, developing their own individual traditions. Here are some key differences between the two:

1- The Size of the Needles – Chinese acupuncture and Japanese acupuncture differs in the size of the needles used on patients. Japanese needles tend to be a smaller and typically sharper than Chinese needles. Many say that this is the reason for a gentler, more superficial needling with less pain on the patient. Chinese needles are bit of a wider gauge, and they promote more of an aggressive needling.

2 – Depth of Insertion – The gauges of the needles go hand in hand with the depth of insertion required. Japanese needling is extremely gentle and superficial – meaning they only focus on the surface and just slightly under the surface of the skin, whereas Chinese needling fosters more depth of insertion. Some patients feel this to be too painful, while others feel that this treatment benefits them more, as they can sense the movement of qi through the body more effectively.

3 – Herbs in conjunction with treatment – A large difference between the two practices is in the use of herbs in conjunction with acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and herbs are an essential aspect of TCM as a whole. Japanese practitioners tend not to use herbs in conjunction with treatment, but they do refer their patients to other practitioners that are knowledgeable about the subject. The use of herbs is much more integrated in Chinese treatment, as opposed to Japanese treatment.

4 – Touch as a means of pre-treatment – Japanese acupuncture places a lot of emphasis on the use of palpation (touch) before needle treatment. These practitioners rely on abdominal palpation to judge the insertion point of the needle. This practice roots from the many blind acupuncturists of Ancient Japan, and it goes hand in hand with the gentle needling.

5 – Chinese acupuncture insertion methods – The Chinese and Japanese practices differ greatly in their needling technique. Now a standard in the acupuncture field, guiding tubes for needles were not part of the Ancient Chinese traditions, and in fact were developed in Japan in the 1970’s when disposable needles became available. Further, Chinese acupuncture tends to manipulate the needle when inserted into the body much more than Japanese acupuncture.

6 – Stronger Qi sensation – Chinese acupuncture gives patients a much more distinct feeling of qi moving through specific points in their body, as practitioners of this discipline tend to, as stated above, rotate and shift the needle much more than Japanese practitioners. Further, the increased depth of the needle gives more distinct sensations.

7 – Moxa – In keeping with the theme of “gentle” and “relaxing”, Japanese acupuncturists almost always incorporate the technique of moxibustion. This involves burning cones of Moxa (derived from mugwort plant) over the patient’s skin before needling. This warming sensation adds to the soothing nature of Japanese acupuncture.

Harmonizing the Body

Often in the modern practice of Chinese Acupuncture the treatment will be solely focused on the individual problem that the patient comes in for. In Japanese Acupuncture there is a particular emphasis on first balancing the energy in your body and then dealing with the problem at hand. This not only results in a faster recovery for the patient but will also leave you feeling on top of the world after the treatment. [2]

Can I buy these same herbal treatments online?

Most of the herbal treatments recommended are not available for general public purchase. Although a few of these brand formulas do occasionally become available on Amazon or Ebay from third party sellers, we cannot guarantee the efficacy, purity or legitimacy of the product. Only licensed practitioners can purchase the Standard Process and Evergreen Herb formulas directly from the manufacturer guaranteeing uninterrupted supply and product legitimacy.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes. We do accept insurance. Simply fill out the insurance verification form to see if you are approved.

SOURCES:

1. Johns Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/acupuncture

2. Seitai Acupuncture: https://www.acuseitai.com/treatment-modalities/japanese-vs.-chinese.html