Frequently Asked Questions

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture has been practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years. Based on the premise that there are patterns of energy (Qi) flowing through the body to different organs essential for health, acupuncture is a method of encouraging the energy to flow to promote natural healing and improve body function. Disruptions of flow are believed to be responsible for causing disease in our bodies. 

How is it Performed?

Thin sterile needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points along the meridian of your body and often stimulated manually, or by electric stimulation, to encourage energy flow through the body. This promotes vital energy to clear blockages you may have which then improves your health. 

Will it Hurt?

Some, including those who have tattoos, will react with a horrified expression that implies “Oh no, not needles!” This reaction is often an association with syringe needles used to withdraw blood or inject medication. Acupuncture needles are less than 1/100 of a syringe needle in size. Most of the time, you may not even know when I have inserted the needles. Inserting the needles on your hands and feet may feel like a tiny sting, at most, because these are sensitive areas where you have less flesh. 

Why Should I Have Acupuncture?

Many people who come for an acupuncture treatments may be using it as a last resort. Although acupuncture has been used for over 5,000 years to treat disease, many still do not know how incredibly powerful it is. They may not know how needles actually can help them heal the body and improve health conditions. As practitioners, we are like “detectives” who get clues from your gait, pulse quality, tongue color and coating. Sometimes even the smell your body exudes can help us figure out what is happening. These aspects of a person’s body show a lot of information that may be easily overlooked. Reading these signals can help you better understand your body and the symptoms you may be experiencing. When the practitioner finds out where and why your body is out of balance, needles become the tools used to guide the vital energy to clear the blockage and to recall your body's own ability to heal. Acupuncture allows your body to return to its balanced state. 

How Often Should I Have Acupuncture?

Unfortunately, it is unlikely that your body will heal itself in one session.  That said, in certain situations, this may be the case! Usually, the longer you have been suffering with your symptoms, the more sessions you will need for treatment, and the longer time it will take for your body to heal.