What is Qi?
Qi (pronounced “chee”) is based on the ancient Asian theory of the flow of energy. Qi and Blood flow through pathways called Meridians, as the nerves and blood vessels run through
our body. Smooth flow of Qi and Blood in meridians are essential for optimal health.
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How does Acupuncture work?
There is no current modern Western Medical explanation for the way acupuncture works.
Traditional Asian acupuncture is based on the flow of Qi (a subtle energy that warms and nourishes the body) through distinct pathways called meridians. When these meridians are blocked, disharmony follows, causing pain, distention or any number of conditions that cause disease or discomfort. The principle aim of acupuncture is to restore the healthy flow of Qi. This can equate to the western understanding of the body in many ways, such as reducing inflammation, loosening tight tissues in the body, increasing the flow of lymph and blood, balancing the endocrine system, calming the Sympathetic Nervous System, Stimulating the Parasympathetic Nervous System, increasing bile flow, etc.
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Is Acupuncture safe?
When practiced by a competently trained and licensed professional, acupuncture is extremely safe. All needles used are disposable, individually packaged and sterilized to virtually eliminate the chance of infection. Needles are never re-used.
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Does Acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are not much thicker than a hair. During insertion, there may be a sensation of tingling, warmth or a heavy sensation. Acupuncture needles don’t feel anything like receiving an injection or having blood withdrawn. Sometimes patients don’t even feel the needles and very often patients find acupuncture sessions so relaxing that they fall asleep.
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Are the needles sterile?
Communication of disease through acupuncture has not been an issue in the U.S., a record few other health care professions can claim. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acupuncture needles for use by licensed
practitioners in 1996. The FDA requires manufacturers of acupuncture needles to label them for single use only. Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported to the FDA when considering the millions of people treated each year and the number of acupuncture needles used.
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What health benefit(s) can I espect to be achieved?
Scientific research has discovered that acupuncture points show a variety of unique bioelectric properties. Stimulation of acupuncture points cause definite physiological reactions affecting brain activity, such as releasing pain-killing endorphins, influencing blood pressure, enhancing the immune system, balancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and enhancing the endocrine system. Most of all, acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal itself, regain homeostasis, and maintain its relationship with nature.
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What is the length of an acupuncture treatment?
Individual treatments will vary in length from 20 minutes to one hour depending on condition and constitution of the patient.
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How many treatments will I need?
That depends on the duration, severity and nature of your complaint. A single treatment may be adequate for acute conditions, whereas a treatment course of 5-12 treatments are typically prescribed for chronic problems. More chronic
or degenerative conditions may require treatments more often. Often herbs, exercises or dietary suggestions may be given by the practitioner to enhance the effect of acupuncture.
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How should I prepare for Acupuncture treatments?
Come wearing loose clothing. Do not come for acupuncture treatments when hungry, very full or exhausted. Always eat a good meal a minimum of 45 minutes before treatments, or at the very least a light snack before the treatment. During treatments, relax as much as possible and enjoy the quiet time to yourself. Focus on gentle deep
breathing, or take a nap.
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How does Herbal Medicine work?
Oriental Herbal medicine is practiced in accordance with the traditional ways of balancing conditions in the body with respect to hot, cold, deficiency or excess. Each person has a unique disposition which is based on their age, sex, constitutional make-up and the disease they are experiencing. Herbal prescriptions are made for patients taking into account all aspects of that person.
Typically, Oriental herbs contain hundreds of compounds whose affects on the body have been meticulously recorded throughout thousands of years. If used correctly, and in accordance to traditional methods, herbs are not only very safe, but are exceptionally beneficial to restore health. Furthermore, hundreds of modern pharmacological studies have been published on the benefits and efficacy of herbs for conditions varying from common cold/flu to heart disease. The anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties of many of these herbs have been studied according to modern scientific methods and published, as well as their various effects on the Immune System, and Central and Peripheral nervous systems of the body.
When used in conjunction with acupuncture, Herbal Medicine acts synergistically to enhance the effect of acupuncture treatments. Alternatively, the practitioner may decide that only one of these two modalities is best for a patient.
What common conditions are treated by Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine?
General Wellness
- immune building, increased energy, disease prevention, smoking cessation, weight loss, facial rejuvenation
Neuromuscular Disharmonies
- back pain, sciatica, arthritis, sprains, tendonitis, stiff neck, headache, carpal tunnel, facial paralysis, dizziness, TMJ
Internal Disharmonies
- tinnitus, hypertension, diarrhea, ulcers, indigestion, hemorrhoids, constipation, diabetes, chronic fatigue
Emotional Disharmonies
- anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia
Dermatological Disharmonies
- eczema, acne, herpes, rashes
Respiratory Disharmonies
- asthma, sinusitis, common cold, flu, allergies, bronchitis, cough
Genitourinary Disharmonies
- sexual dysfunction, incontinence, UTI
Gynecological Disharmonies
- infertility, morning sickness, PMS, irregular periods, menopause, vaginitis
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How does Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture work?
The face reflects the healthy state of internal organs in Traditional Oriental Medicine. For this reason, the acupuncturist will go deeper than the skin level to treat the root cause, addressing health issues during the course of treatment, and resulting you to feel balanced, radiant and energized. When you arrive for the facial rejuvenation session, the acupuncturist will administer a thorough intake, similar to those given when visiting a doctor for the first time, followed by discussing particular facial problems the patient may have.
Disposable, hair-thin needles are inserted into acupuncture points on the face, neck and around the eyes, along the wrinkles and lines, bringing Qi and Blood flow to the face resulting the cells to generate new collagen fibers under the wrinkles. Specially formulated herbal facial mask, creams and essential oils along with facial acupressure and Beauty Rollers made of Jade are used to tonify Yin, nourish the skin, enhance circulation of Blood and Qi, resulting reduction of fine lines and age spots. The procedure is not only painless but surprisingly relaxing.
A typical course of treatment consists of 10 to 15 consecutive treatments. To achieve optimal results, a commitment for a series of ten, biweekly or weekly facial treatments, lasting 60 ~ 90 minutes, followed by monthly maintenance treatments is usually recommended. Studies show that among 300 cases treated with facial acupuncture, 90 % had marked beneficial results with only one course of treatment (International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture, 1996). After a few sessions, patients will notice smoother firmer skin with healthy glow. It is all natural, chemical free, non-invasive treat the body and skin would greatly benefit from. From the holistic treatment, not only the skin will look better, patients will feel vibrantly energized and harmonized overall.
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Is Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture for Everyone?
Majority of people will benefit from the Facial Rejuvenation treatments, however if you have any of the following condition, the treatment cannot be performed: severe high blood pressure, severe migraines, pregnancy, colds or flu, acute herpes outbreak or acute allergic reactions, recent laser/face lift surgeries or microdermabrasion, existing bleeding/bruising problems.
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How does Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture compare to Surgical Face-Lift or Botox Injection?
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is a safe, holistic, non-invasive, cost effective alternative to cosmetic surgery or botox injections. Unlike surgery that may have an extended recovery period with swelling and discoloration, there is no trauma
from Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture. There is a slight chance of minor temporary bruising which will disappear in a few days. Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture does not replace “Facelift” surgery as it will not result in sudden dramatic changes. It takes time to undo the damage done over time.
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What is the educational level of acupuncturist?
To qualify for licensure in California, a practitioner must qualify for and pass the California Acupuncture Board (CAB) licensure examination. To qualify to sit for the CAB exam, a student must complete a 3000-hour master degree level program at a CAB-approved school or demonstrate equivalent training.
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Can patients address health issues collaboratively with their Acupuncturist and MD?
Increasingly, acupuncture is complementing conventional therapies. By providing both acupuncture and certain conventional anesthetic drugs, some doctors have found it possible to achieve a state of complete pain relief for some patients.They also have found that using acupuncture lowers the need for conventional pain-killing drugs and thus educes the risk of side effects for patients who take the drugs.
If you have received a diagnosis from a doctor and have had little or no success using conventional medicine, you may wish to ask your doctor whether acupuncture might help.
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