Acupuncture

A: The first acupuncture appointment includes a comprehensive interview, physical and energetic exam and assessment, and the performance of the first acupuncture treatment.  During this first session, we would listen to whole you, your symptoms, your mind and emotions, your lifestyle; various questions will be asked to get to know you, your chief health complaints and concerns, your health and medical history, and your current health state.  We will feel your pulse, look at your tongue, and conduct an energetic abdominal exam.  See “Q&A” below for details regarding diagnosis with pulse, tongue, and energetic abdominal exam.  Using the combination of all the information collected, we will assess the underline conditions leading to your current state of health, make a Chinese medical diagnosis, and come up with custom-made treatment plans uniquely for you.  The first acupuncture treatment will be performed.  Counseling about diet, mind, & lifestyle will be provided as well. 

For each subsequent acupuncture appointment, we will interview you to review how you have been doing since last treatment, feel your pulse, look at your tongue, conduct an energetic abdominal exam, and design and perform an acupuncture treatment uniquely for you.    

A: Acupuncture needles are single-use disposable thin, solid, sterile, stainless steels needles that are about the thickness of a human hair.  During a treatment, these fine thin needles are inserted just slightly below the surface of the skin.  During the initial needle insertion, sensations may be felt depending on individuals, from no sensations at all to a tingling sensation, or a slight momentary ache, which will usually diminish after a few seconds. 

A: Avoid being extremely hungry or extremely full, or over-exertion right prior to your treatment.  It’s recommended to wear loose clothes or something so that your acupuncturist can access the acupuncture points easily.  At least a few hours after the treatment, avoid strenuous exercise, over-exertion, alcohol, sex, or stressful situation, so that your body can optimize the treatment effects. 

A: In Chinese Medicine, 望(to look), 聞(to listen & smell), 問(to ask), 切(to palpate), are the four major diagnostic tools or information collection processes.  During your first acupuncture or Chinese herbal session, we would listen to whole you, your symptoms, your mind and emotions, your lifestyle; various questions will be asked to get to know you, your chief health complaints and concerns, your health and medical history, and your current health state.     We will feel your pulse, look at your tongue, and conduct an energetic abdominal exam.  The pulses on both of your wrists, totally 12 different positions, will give important information about the meridians, organs, five elements, and the states of Qi, blood, Jing, body fluids, and so on.  There are 28 possible pulse qualities in Chinese Medicine.  The tongue in Chinese Medicine is like a map of the body; its color, shape, size, coating, and cracks reflect states of disharmony.  In an energetic abdominal exam, different points and areas of the abdomen will be palpated and pressed to evaluate any possible imbalances and disharmony.  Using the combination of all the information collected, we will assess the underline conditions leading to your current state of health, make a Chinese medical diagnosis, and come up with a custom-made treatment plan uniquely for you. 

A: Acupuncture has been found effective for a wide range of health conditions, both acute and chronic, include but not limited to: allergies, headache, insomnia, anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, digestive disorders, sleeping problems, infertility, menstrual disorders, all sorts of pain such as lower back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, joint pain, and so on.  Please also see the section “What Health Conditions Can Acupuncture Treat?” above. 

A: Acupuncture has been found effective for a wide range of health conditions, both acute and chronic, include but not limited to: allergies, headache, insomnia, anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, digestive disorders, sleeping problems, infertility, menstrual disorders, all sorts of pain such as lower back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, joint pain, and so on.  Please also see the section “What Health Conditions Can Acupuncture Treat?” above. 

A: Acupuncture has become more and more popular in the United States as a non-pharmaceutical, safe, holistic, and affordable approach to the management of health disorders and maintenance of good health and wellness.  As a gentle, safe, and effective form of medical treatment and as one major branch of Chinese Medicine, acupuncture has been continuously practiced for thousands of years and has been proven to be effective in treating various types of disorders including physical, psycho-emotional, and mental health disorders.  During and after an acupuncture session, patients often report feeling deep relaxation, a state of psycho-emotional peace, and an overall sense of wellness.  Many patients who suffer from chronic and acute physical and psycho-emotional disorders find significant relief after receiving acupuncture treatments.  Acupuncture is also well known today for its effectiveness to relieve pain, both acute and chronic, quickly, naturally, and without side effect. 

A: Acupuncture treats the whole person, instead of a set of symptoms or just a certain area of the body.  Acupuncture treats and affects your health on all level—body, mind, spirit.  People who receive acupuncture treatments on a regular basis report that they have greater vitality and energy; are less prone to get sick and have stronger immune system;  are less easy to get stressed in everyday life; see drop in long-term healthcare costs; and feel a better sense of ease and well-being in life.