IT DEPENDS is the answer to pretty much all of these questions- we will discuss more in depth the answers to these and how they pertain to you specifically.
By inserting thin needles into these points, acupuncturists can help restore balance to the body's energy pathways and promote healing. This process triggers the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters that reduce pain and inflammation while also improving circulation and immune function. Additionally, acupuncture has been shown to affect the way that signals are transmitted along nerve fibers, which can modulate pain perception and promote relaxation. The holistic nature of acupuncture makes it a powerful tool for addressing a wide range of physical and emotional issues, providing a natural alternative for those seeking relief without the use of pharmaceuticals. Get ready to experience improved health and well-being through this time-honored practice!
This medicine has been around for 3k years and science is yet to catch up. However we do know that the acupuncture channels are electrical networks that run along the muscle fascia system, which is why it is so effective in treating pain. We also know that the deeper channels used to treat internal issues such as regulating hormones, improving digestion, and improving mental health to name a few, are created in-utero with exciting research coming out of embryology.
IT DEPENDS! how long have you been out of balance for? how chronic is your illness? how deficient are you? how often and how committed are you to your healing?
chronic and complex issues will take longer.
what i can tell you is that acupuncture is a natural medicine, natural things take time and are cumulative, some effort in the beginning for long lasting effects with minimal to no side effects.
We will discuss how many treatments and how often you should come on your first visit. (you can watch the video under ‘How does Acupuncture work’ to get a better idea of what to expect)
you may feel better after the first treatment, or it may take a few treatments. I would want to see how you respond over at least a series of 4 sessions or so.
once we get you at your healthy and happy goal we can move on to maintenance treatments.
You can watch the How Long Does it Take to See Results video on the 📚Patient Portal.
It is good to arrive early so you can settle down and collect yourself. If you are taking any medication, including vitamins, minerals and other supplements, please bring those with you.
Eat a light meal and make sure you are hydrated. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing which can be easily removed if needed. Most people will not need to disrobe, but occasionally we treat areas that do require it. We have modesty procedures in place if you do need to disrobe.
Acupuncture cannot be performed if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. We reserve the right to turn away any patient that seems impaired.
The number of visits you will need depends on several factors. One is how long you have had your current condition. Conditions like pain from an injury may require several treatments before symptoms are reduced. On your first visit, your acupuncturist will take a detailed health history and will determine an appropriate treatment plan based on your signs and symptoms. You may visit the 📚Patient Portal to watch a video on How Long Does it Take to See Results for further understanding.
Dry needling targets trigger points by using a needle in the muscle to release it. Then the needle is released. Acupuncture also targets trigger points and motor points with the addition on distal acupuncture points to support proper circulation through out the whole body, decrease systemic pain and inflammation. The needles are retained in the body for at least 20mins. (total 28minutes minimum after insertion of first needle)
Acupuncture and dry needling or trigger point needling come from different theoretical backgrounds. Acupuncture is based on Chinese medicine and has a history of many thousands of years of development. Dry needling dates back to the 1940s and is based on the trigger point work of Janet Travel and David Simons. Dry needling got its name because they originally used much thicker hypodermic needles to inject anesthetic or saline into trigger points, but when acupuncture started to become popular in the West, they found acupuncture needles achieved similar results and so was coined dry needling because no fluid was being injected. Within traditional acupuncture, we have a similar technique of "ashi" needling where tender points are palpated and needled. One of the biggest potential differences relevant to someone seeking treatment is in skill level and safety. An acupuncturist must complete a 4 year degree with hundreds of clinical hours to be able to register, and then to maintain registration, they must complete continuing education hours every year. Within the clinic they will be refining their needling techniques with almost every treatment. Compared with dry needling which can be done over a weekend course and requires no ongoing education. A practitioner using dry needling is also often only using it occasionally as an adjunct to their treatments and so their techniques may not be as refined. Of course, having said all that, there are very talented dry needlers out there, as well as bad acupuncturists, so it will always come down to the practitioner. I personally use trigger point techniques where appropriate and have nothing against it being used by other practitioners if it is done safely and within their scope.
I understand where you are coming from, however the needles used are as thin as a hair strand, and even the thickest needles used are not half as thick as a needle used to draw blood or for vaccines.
Insertion of needles creates a micro trauma, you may feel more like a little pinch or prick that then quickly goes away. Many people don’t even notice a needle has been inserted.
so IT DEPENDS if you’ll feel them, if you feel them at all- where they are inserted:
feet and hands have more nerves and less fat, you may feel them more here. maybe you wont.
if you have less adipose tissue around the belly you may feel them more when inserted in the area. maybe you wont.
That being said pain thresholds are different in each person -IT DEPENDS:
It depends on how inflamed you are. if you are so inflamed chances are you may feel the needles more than some one else will.
It depends how deficient or excess you are.
It depends where on your cycle you are.
ASAP! the sooner we can see you the better. The recovery time will be quicker and the way your body will heal will be better in the long term as well.
however it does depend, maybe you do need to rest for a week or two before coming to see me because you can’t even get out of bed, or you’re still contagious, or too inflamed, or you need to see a western physician first.
YES! coming pre surgery will set you up for success. your body will be able to withstand the medications during surgery, you’ll have a stronger body to withstand the trauma of surgery which will help metabolize and recover from the surgery. Post surgery will also help in recovery and detox of surgery medications.
YES! in fact it is amazing during pregnancy!
It helps with so many things from first trimester issues like morning sickness, preventing miscarriage to third trimester breech babies, back and pelvic pain, to induction of labor.There will be certain points that we will avoid as these points can be used at the end of pregnancy to help induce labour.
It Depends- how was your birth? was it exhausting and traumatic? maybe you need more rest at home without having to go out or even get out of bed. so as soon as you feel ready come on in and we will help care for you during this special time so your body can restore to healthy and balanced, minimize or eliminate Postpartum depression and anxiety, night sweats and all that comes with it so you can enjoy your new family.
Acupuncture has been shown to effectively treat a wide range of conditions. In fact, it can even help with conditions that mainstream medicine struggles to treat. For a full list of conditions that acupuncture can help with, check out the World Health Organization's website.
also see the a list of some of the conditions on the link below:
World Health Organization: Conditions Successfully Treated with AcupunctureAt this time, we do not accept insurance of any kind, but you may be provided with a Superbill to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. This is dependent on your insurance rules and requirements.
We accept payment through your HSA or FSA health savings account card.