Frequently Asked Questions
What about needle-less treatment?
What conditions have been treated with success in your office?
How many treatments will I need?
What happens during my first treatment?
What are some benefits I might experience from treatment?
Does the Acupuncture Works offer herbal medicine?
Acupuncture is a medicine with a rich history dating back thousands of years. It’s origins are firmly rooted in Chinese philosophy and the healing arts. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60% of the world’s population uses Acupuncture as part of its primary health care. Since the early 1970s Acupuncture has witnessed incredibly rapid growth in its acceptance and use here in the United States. Thanks to numerous evidenced based Western medical studies, Acupuncture’s amazing benefits have been proven effective for a wide array of symptoms and illnesses. Acupuncture treats both acute and chronic conditions.
Acupuncture works by balancing Qi (pronounced “chee”) - your vital energy or life force. Vital energy flows through your body in pathways called meridians. These meridians move Qi through your body in much the same way as streams, rivers and oceans flow on earth. Chinese medical theory maintains that the universal laws of nature govern the body as well as the world around us. Individual health, as in nature, is determined by the smooth flow of Qi. When Qi is moving smoothly you have a sense of wellness, balance and harmony. When Qi is out of balance there may be pain, illness and disease. There are twelve main meridians or lines of energy which run throughout the body and include a total of 365 Acupuncture points. The movement of Qi is initiated by the insertion of Acupuncture needles into specific points along these meridians. As your treatments progress you may notice that you have more vitality and energy. You may also find that you get sick less often and when you do get sick you recover more quickly. It is not unusual for patients to notice that health issues other than the ones which prompted the initial treatments may disappear.
Acupuncture should not hurt. Acupuncture needles are two human hairs thin and extremely flexible. They are made of solid stainless steel, gold or silver and are sterilized, individually packaged and used only once on you. Most insertions are just below the skin’s surface. A dull ache, tingling or a brief sting are sometimes felt around the needle as it is inserted. Or, you may notice no sensation at all.
Some people shy away from Acupuncture treatment because they have a fear of needles. Needle-less treatment is an option at the Acupuncture Works to stimulate Qi and to restore health and vitality. These needle-less methods include Acupressure, Aroma Acupoint Therapy, Bach Flower Essences, herbal medicine, moxibustion (heat therapy), nutritional counseling and life style coaching.
Acupuncture works by correcting the flow of your energy and enhancing your body’s ability to heal. As a result your natural vitality and health return. Acupuncture provides relief from many physical, mental and emotional illnesses. Here is a small sampling...
It depends. If you have had Acupuncture treatment before and continue to use it as part of your overall wellness plan, then one or two treatments per month will likely be adequate. If your health concerns are chronic and have affected you for a long time, then five to seven treatments are advised to rebuild your health. If the nature of your complaints is acute and painful we may recommend two treatments per week for a very short interval. Thereafter, weekly treatments are recommended until you advise us that your symptoms have decreased and that you are experiencing some ease in your daily life. It often happens, even after your first treatment, that you will experience some shift of your symptoms, your awareness and the ease with which you move through life. Through the course of your initial weekly treatments we will be able to determine how you are responding and re-evaluate your treatment plan. Typically after the first series of treatments we will recommend that treatment be spaced out to every other week, every third week and finally monthly. At this point you may wish to continue treatment monthly or seasonally as Acupuncture becomes part of your wellness regimen. The frequency of treatment is always subject to change depending upon the presenting symptoms and the severity of their nature.
During your first visit we will devote two hours to listening to your health concerns and providing you with your first Acupuncture treatment. We will have a thorough discussion about your health history, your lifestyle and the concerns that have you seeking treatment. Once we have gathered the appropriate information we will discuss our findings in your personalized Health Evaluation. The Health Evaluation provides the basis for your individualized treatment plan. Follow up treatments last about an hour.
Almost everyone comes away from treatment feeling extremely relaxed. Some patients comment that after treatment it is the most relaxed they have ever felt. Other patients claim that they have a heightened sense of awareness, feel more focused and have a keener sense of mental clarity. Many patients have described various sensations and phenomena that occur during the course of an Acupuncture treatment. Often times patients report a sense of timelessness; a 30 minute rest feels as though it was only a few moments, and the thoughts that so often occupy your every waking moment temporarily disappear as you find a deeper experience of being in your body. It is not unusual that you fall asleep on the treatment table or at the very least find yourself in a very restful and relaxed state. It is from this place that deep healing initiates.
The Acupuncture Works accepts payment for treatment either by check or cash. We also accept HSA /FSA debit cards.
It might. We advise that you contact your insurance company to determine whether Acupuncture is a covered benefit on your plan. The Acupuncture Works will provide you with a simple and comprehensive billing statement to submit to your insurance carrier.
Yes. The practitioners may prescribe herbal remedies to supplement your Acupuncture treatment. At the Acupuncture Works we use Western herbal medicine. All of the plant based remedies we provide are grown in the United States and are often organic, and are either wild crafted or ethically harvested. Teas, tinctures and salves comprise the bulk of our pharmacy. All herbal prescriptions are formulated based upon your personal needs.