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Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine
How does acupuncture work?
Over three thousand years ago, the ancient Chinese discovered that there
are 12 regular meridians, 8 extra meridians and many other micro-channel
systems (much like a highway or power-line system, and now biomedicine
believes it is a mixed structure of nerves & vessels) in our body
with over 300 acu-points (like cities connected by a highway) located
on them. The meridian system connects the internal organs and external
structures, such as skin, muscles, the five sense organs, etc., to function
as information and nutrition transportation. If there is an imbalance
or pathogen attack, it usually results in energy blockage, such as inflammation,
congestion or bleeding, and on the related surface channel it manifests
as tender spots on some of the acu-points. By stimulating such points
the doctor can help the patient’s body to initiate self-healing
to eliminate pathogens or restore balance.
Does acupuncture hurt? Are there side effects?
For the most part, no. Because acupuncture needles are small, hair-thin
and solid, not hollow like needles used for injections or drawing blood.
When used by a well-trained doctor, usually there are no side effects
resulting from acupuncture. The needle is sterilized, individually packaged
and disposable to avoid the possibility of transmitting communicable
diseases.
How long does each visit last?
The first visit usually takes anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hours depending
on the nature of the problem. Follow-up appointments usually take 45
minutes to an hour.
What should you wear or bring to your acupuncture appointment?
The doctor may need access to your feet, legs, arms, stomach or back.
Therefore, comfortable loose fitting clothes may be worn or we will
happily
provide you with a gown.
For your first appointment bring a list of current medications and any
test results including blood and urine analysis, x-rays, MRI, and CT
scan reports that may help us get a better understanding of your problem.
What to expect before, after, and during your appointment:
At your appointment you will be asked a series of questions appropriate
to Traditional Chinese Medicine. The practitioner will take your pulse
on each
wrist for several seconds for up to a minute to assess its quality.
You will then be asked to stick out your tongue in order for the practitioner
to
assess the color, thickness, and moisture of the tongue coat. Please
do not brush your tongue prior to your appointment as this will alter
the tongues features. Other exams may be performed such as special tests
for sports injury, sensory and motor function, reflex testing, and blood
pressure testing depending on the ailment being treated.
During the acupuncture treatment when needles are inserted, a needling
sensation is often experienced. This sensation can be described as a
heavy, tingling, shooting or traveling sensation away from the needle
which is considered as energy flow and it will immediately subside.
Most patients find that once the needles are in place they become very
relaxed and even sleepy. Needles remain in place 20 – 30 minutes
on the average. After treatment some patients may experience a slight
woozy or dizzy feeling which goes away in a few minutes. Also, remember
to eat a little something prior to your treatment, rather than coming
on an empty stomach. It’s also recommended that you not be over
full on food or drink when you are treated.
How many treatments will I need and how often should I come?
It depends on the duration, severity and nature of the illness. You
may need only a single treatment for an acute condition. A series of
five to
fifteen treatments may resolve many chronic problems. Some degenerative
conditions may require more treatments over time.
Typically a patient will require once to twice a week, depending on
the condition. If the condition is acute and painful, 2-3 times for
the first week will receive the best results. For chronic condition,
treatment requires twice a week visits for couple of weeks, then once
a week, a month, or once every several months for maintenance.
If I have to see you over ten visits to get the
best results, is it cost and time effective?
Acupuncture is a natural healing therapy. It stimulates self-healing
for the underlying pathology, upgrades the hypo-function and
down-regulates the hyper-function of the affected organs and tissues to
meet the normal physiological needs of your body. You will discover it
not only provides relief for the treated condition, but also amazingly
improves the overall quality of your life.
As a direct result of the improved condition and
quality of your state of health, you may take less medication, avoid
unnecessary surgery and the subsequent complications. Generally
speaking, this would prove to be very cost effective!
After taking care of yourself, you will have a
competent body and spirit to ensure life with efficiency!
Could acupuncture conflict with any Western medical treatments
I may be receiving at the moment?
No. Acupuncture basically stimulates your own immune system to cure
the illness. However, if the patient is already too physically weak,
the doctor may recommend a different natural therapy.
How about if I do not like needles?
Alternatives to traditional acupuncture are available. You would be
able to choose one or more of the combination of the following methods: acupressure,
ear point manipulation, electro- or electromagnet acupoint therapy,
moxibustion, cupping and herb therapy.
Is that just a placebo effect, do I have to believe in it for
it to work?
No. Acupuncture works whether or not you think it will. Acupuncture
is even used successfully on animals and children. They do not understand
or believe in the process yet they get better anyway. A positive attitude
helps with any type of therapy but it is not necessary to believe in
acupuncture (or to feel it working) for it to work.
Since positive expectations and belief in a particular therapy help
to increase therapeutic results, the doctor encourages you to raise
any concerns or doubts you may have about acupuncture and Traditional
Chinese Medicine. He'd like to help you to better understand acupuncture
and Traditional Chinese Medicine so that you may have the most positive
healing experience possible.
Does insurance cover acupuncture?
It depends on the insurance company’s policy. Check with your company
for details on what is covered.
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