What is Chinese Medicine?
Chinese Medicine works with the body's natural potential to heal and regulate itself by the manipulation of qi (pronounced 'chee'). It includes acupuncture as well as Oriental bodywork (massage), cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, qi cultivation, and many other therapies. It’s really amazing how many correspondences there are with Western medicine, but even more amazing is how delicately Chinese medicine describes our bodies in terms of the earth’s own natural systems. If you are unfamiliar with Chinese medicine and/or acupuncture, please read my F.A.Q. below, and if you still want to know more, just keep scrolling down this page!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What can acupuncture treat?
2. Does it hurt?
3. Does it really work?
4. What happens at a typical appointment?
5. How do I prepare for an acupuncture treatment?
6. My acupuncturist said my "kidney qi is deficient" What's wrong with my kidneys??
7. What the heck is a Pericardium and Triple Burner/San Jiao?
8. Will treatment interfere with any current medications I'm taking?
9. How long will it take to treat my issue?
10. Are there any side effects?
11. Can I receive acupuncture if I am pregnant?
12. What is Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Cupping, and Gua Sha
1. What can acupuncture treat?
It can treat many things ranging from allergies, asthma, skin issues, chronic pain, acute injuries, surgery recovery, migraines, depression/anxiety, digestive issues, infections, infertility, etc, etc, etc! For a more comprehensive list, refer to this link via the World Health Organization. This list is compiled from published research, and may not include every discomfort or disease that can be treated with acupuncture.
2. Does it hurt?
Acupuncture can stimulate a wide range of sensations in people, both physical and emotional. It is normal for some points to feel "tender" or "strong" but in general, you should always be comfortable enough to relax during your treatment. Often, people don't feel anything once the needles have been in for a few minutes. Give your practitioner feedback on what you are experiencing, it will help them treat you!
3. Does it really work?
Chinese medicine (to include acupuncture) is thousands of years old, and over time has been shown to be quite effective for treating an array of diseases and discomforts. It is rare for a patient to experience no change to their symptoms with regular treatments. How it can help you will only be revealed once you try it. There are several important things that will influence how well it can work for you:
For more information about scientific research on the efficacy of acupuncture, scroll down to the bottom of this page or click here to check out Acutrials!
4. What happens at a typical appointment?
When you go to your first acupuncture appointment, much of the treatment session will be used to collect information about your health history and current condition. This means your actual treatment time (with needles in) might be very short: 10-15 minutes. After the first appointment, less time will be spent on gathering information, and your treatment will typically be 25-45 minutes long.
Chinese medicine practitioners will often have an extensive list of questions for you on your first visit and might ask you questions that seem uncomfortable or embarrassing. Questions typically include information about your digestive system, urinary system, reproductive system, sleep, mood/emotions, and your diet among many other topics. If you truly feel uncomfortable answering a question, just tell your practitioner and they can try to find another way to get the information they need. However, keep in mind that the more specific and honest the information you give is, the better your practitioner can treat you.
Your practitioner may discuss their treatment plan they have come up with for you, such as how many treatments they expect you to need before seeing a significant change in symptoms and how many days per week they suggest you have treatments. Often, one or two treatments per week is typical unless there is an acute injury or illness-- they may suggest many treatments over a shorter time period. Most practitioners will not explain why they choose the points they are using unless you ask. Sometimes it is difficult to explain Chinese theory to patients, but most are willing to give a general idea of what their treatment strategy is, if they are asked.
Your treatment will likely start with the practitioner giving you privacy to remove clothing and/or change into a hospital gown, depending on what areas of the body they need to access. Most often, you will have needles placed in your hands, feet, legs, arms, possibly scalp or ears, and in the local area of concern. This may sound like a lot, but a typical treatment consists of only 8-14 needles-- sometimes far less, sometimes far more. Your acupuncturist will be able to determine how many needles are required and how many you can handle, as some people are more sensitive to acupuncture than others. More isn't always better and most acupuncturists prefer to use as few needles as possible.
Your treatment may also include massage, gua sha, cupping, moxibustion, or other therapies that your practitioner has been trained to administer. These therapies will be discussed with you before they are performed and if your practitioner prescribes herbs, they will usually be prepared for you at the end of your treatment.
5. How do I prepare for an acupuncture treatment?
Get plenty of rest the night before your treatment and stay hydrated. (You should be doing these things anyway!) Make sure you eat something 30 minutes to one hour before your appointment- a snack or light meal, not a feast. If you go to your appointment hungry, you are more likely to have side effects with the acupuncture such as light-headedness or even fainting. If you are nervous about your appointment, tell your acupuncturist this. They want you to feel comfortable and relaxed during your treatment to get the best effect possible. Be prepared to give as much detailed information as you can on your health concern. For example, if you are coming in for digestive concerns, it might be helpful to bring in a diet diary. (Writing down what you eat, how much, when, and any symptoms you experience.)
6. My acupuncturist said my "kidney qi is deficient" What's wrong with my kidneys??
Probably nothing! Each of the 12 acupuncture meridians mapped out on the body (energetic pathways in which qi travels) are named for the 12 Zang-Fu Organs: Lung, Pericardium, Heart, Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Triple Burner/San Jiao, Stomach, Spleen, Liver, Urinary bladder, Kidney, and Gallbladder. When your practitioner refers to an organ being out of balance, they are usually referring to the energetic pathway for that organ having blockages or weaknesses. Occasionally, this will correspond with issues involving the actual organ, but usually this is not the case. Do not panic if your practitioner tells you that you have stagnation in your "heart" channel or that you have "liver fire rising".
7. What the heck is a Pericardium and Triple Burner/San jiao?
Ask your practitioner, I'm not giving away ALL my ancient Chinese secrets! ;)
8. Will treatment interfere with any current medications I'm taking?
Your acupuncturist will know if they should avoid specific points or herbs for you. This will be in respect to not only your medications, but your age, gender, body composition, if you are pregnant/nursing/trying to conceive, etc. Most treatments will have no interaction with medications, however it is very important for you to tell your acupuncturist about any and all medications, supplements, or recent dietary/lifestyle changes.
9. How long will it take to treat my issue?
How long your treatment will take will depend greatly on the severity and complexity of your condition. Sudden illness and injury will often take less time to treat than chronic cases, but again it depends on severity. After the first few treatments, your acupuncturist should be able to give you a good idea of what sort of treatment plan they suggest and the results they expect to see.
10. Are there any side effects?
Many people feel good after having a treatment, but it is not uncommon to feel sedated, tired, or wiped out-- particularly if you have already been feeling this way. Until you figure out how your body responds to acupuncture, you should not plan to exert yourself after treatment. Sometimes, there can bruising or tenderness at the site of a point, but often there are little to no local negative effects. On occasion, patients experience what is called a "healing crisis" where symptoms worsen temporarily before feeling better. Discuss this with your acupuncturist at your next visit if it concerns you, they should be able to suggest ways to deal with it. While a healing crisis may be uncomfortable, it is often a good sign that the treatments are having a strong effect on your condition.
11. Can I receive acupuncture if I am pregnant?
Yes! Your acupuncturist will be trained to make special considerations for treating pregnant patients. Many expecting mothers can get relief from morning sickness, low back pain, and many other discomforts that may come along with this excited time! If you are pregnant or might be pregnant, it is important for your acupuncturist to know!!
12. What is:
Acupuncture
Moxibustion
Cupping
Gua Sha
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What can acupuncture treat?
2. Does it hurt?
3. Does it really work?
4. What happens at a typical appointment?
5. How do I prepare for an acupuncture treatment?
6. My acupuncturist said my "kidney qi is deficient" What's wrong with my kidneys??
7. What the heck is a Pericardium and Triple Burner/San Jiao?
8. Will treatment interfere with any current medications I'm taking?
9. How long will it take to treat my issue?
10. Are there any side effects?
11. Can I receive acupuncture if I am pregnant?
12. What is Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Cupping, and Gua Sha
1. What can acupuncture treat?
It can treat many things ranging from allergies, asthma, skin issues, chronic pain, acute injuries, surgery recovery, migraines, depression/anxiety, digestive issues, infections, infertility, etc, etc, etc! For a more comprehensive list, refer to this link via the World Health Organization. This list is compiled from published research, and may not include every discomfort or disease that can be treated with acupuncture.
2. Does it hurt?
Acupuncture can stimulate a wide range of sensations in people, both physical and emotional. It is normal for some points to feel "tender" or "strong" but in general, you should always be comfortable enough to relax during your treatment. Often, people don't feel anything once the needles have been in for a few minutes. Give your practitioner feedback on what you are experiencing, it will help them treat you!
3. Does it really work?
Chinese medicine (to include acupuncture) is thousands of years old, and over time has been shown to be quite effective for treating an array of diseases and discomforts. It is rare for a patient to experience no change to their symptoms with regular treatments. How it can help you will only be revealed once you try it. There are several important things that will influence how well it can work for you:
- Consistency- Going to treatments regularly, according to your treatment plan (often it is 1-2 times per week until symptoms resolve or lessen)
- Taking responsibility- Following through with referrals to primary care physicians or specialists. Making any recommended lifestyle/dietary changes. For example, if you are seeing an acupuncturist for chronic stomach pain, but you go home every night and eat a jalapeno sausage pizza with extra, extra cheese... your acupuncturist is probably going to strongly recommend that you stop doing that.
- Communication- Giving feedback during and after treatments. This will help your practitioner treat you! Sensations that may seem insignificant to you could tell them volumes about how the treatment is working and how they might adjust it for you, to give you the best possible experience and outcome.
For more information about scientific research on the efficacy of acupuncture, scroll down to the bottom of this page or click here to check out Acutrials!
4. What happens at a typical appointment?
When you go to your first acupuncture appointment, much of the treatment session will be used to collect information about your health history and current condition. This means your actual treatment time (with needles in) might be very short: 10-15 minutes. After the first appointment, less time will be spent on gathering information, and your treatment will typically be 25-45 minutes long.
Chinese medicine practitioners will often have an extensive list of questions for you on your first visit and might ask you questions that seem uncomfortable or embarrassing. Questions typically include information about your digestive system, urinary system, reproductive system, sleep, mood/emotions, and your diet among many other topics. If you truly feel uncomfortable answering a question, just tell your practitioner and they can try to find another way to get the information they need. However, keep in mind that the more specific and honest the information you give is, the better your practitioner can treat you.
Your practitioner may discuss their treatment plan they have come up with for you, such as how many treatments they expect you to need before seeing a significant change in symptoms and how many days per week they suggest you have treatments. Often, one or two treatments per week is typical unless there is an acute injury or illness-- they may suggest many treatments over a shorter time period. Most practitioners will not explain why they choose the points they are using unless you ask. Sometimes it is difficult to explain Chinese theory to patients, but most are willing to give a general idea of what their treatment strategy is, if they are asked.
Your treatment will likely start with the practitioner giving you privacy to remove clothing and/or change into a hospital gown, depending on what areas of the body they need to access. Most often, you will have needles placed in your hands, feet, legs, arms, possibly scalp or ears, and in the local area of concern. This may sound like a lot, but a typical treatment consists of only 8-14 needles-- sometimes far less, sometimes far more. Your acupuncturist will be able to determine how many needles are required and how many you can handle, as some people are more sensitive to acupuncture than others. More isn't always better and most acupuncturists prefer to use as few needles as possible.
Your treatment may also include massage, gua sha, cupping, moxibustion, or other therapies that your practitioner has been trained to administer. These therapies will be discussed with you before they are performed and if your practitioner prescribes herbs, they will usually be prepared for you at the end of your treatment.
5. How do I prepare for an acupuncture treatment?
Get plenty of rest the night before your treatment and stay hydrated. (You should be doing these things anyway!) Make sure you eat something 30 minutes to one hour before your appointment- a snack or light meal, not a feast. If you go to your appointment hungry, you are more likely to have side effects with the acupuncture such as light-headedness or even fainting. If you are nervous about your appointment, tell your acupuncturist this. They want you to feel comfortable and relaxed during your treatment to get the best effect possible. Be prepared to give as much detailed information as you can on your health concern. For example, if you are coming in for digestive concerns, it might be helpful to bring in a diet diary. (Writing down what you eat, how much, when, and any symptoms you experience.)
6. My acupuncturist said my "kidney qi is deficient" What's wrong with my kidneys??
Probably nothing! Each of the 12 acupuncture meridians mapped out on the body (energetic pathways in which qi travels) are named for the 12 Zang-Fu Organs: Lung, Pericardium, Heart, Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Triple Burner/San Jiao, Stomach, Spleen, Liver, Urinary bladder, Kidney, and Gallbladder. When your practitioner refers to an organ being out of balance, they are usually referring to the energetic pathway for that organ having blockages or weaknesses. Occasionally, this will correspond with issues involving the actual organ, but usually this is not the case. Do not panic if your practitioner tells you that you have stagnation in your "heart" channel or that you have "liver fire rising".
7. What the heck is a Pericardium and Triple Burner/San jiao?
Ask your practitioner, I'm not giving away ALL my ancient Chinese secrets! ;)
8. Will treatment interfere with any current medications I'm taking?
Your acupuncturist will know if they should avoid specific points or herbs for you. This will be in respect to not only your medications, but your age, gender, body composition, if you are pregnant/nursing/trying to conceive, etc. Most treatments will have no interaction with medications, however it is very important for you to tell your acupuncturist about any and all medications, supplements, or recent dietary/lifestyle changes.
9. How long will it take to treat my issue?
How long your treatment will take will depend greatly on the severity and complexity of your condition. Sudden illness and injury will often take less time to treat than chronic cases, but again it depends on severity. After the first few treatments, your acupuncturist should be able to give you a good idea of what sort of treatment plan they suggest and the results they expect to see.
10. Are there any side effects?
Many people feel good after having a treatment, but it is not uncommon to feel sedated, tired, or wiped out-- particularly if you have already been feeling this way. Until you figure out how your body responds to acupuncture, you should not plan to exert yourself after treatment. Sometimes, there can bruising or tenderness at the site of a point, but often there are little to no local negative effects. On occasion, patients experience what is called a "healing crisis" where symptoms worsen temporarily before feeling better. Discuss this with your acupuncturist at your next visit if it concerns you, they should be able to suggest ways to deal with it. While a healing crisis may be uncomfortable, it is often a good sign that the treatments are having a strong effect on your condition.
11. Can I receive acupuncture if I am pregnant?
Yes! Your acupuncturist will be trained to make special considerations for treating pregnant patients. Many expecting mothers can get relief from morning sickness, low back pain, and many other discomforts that may come along with this excited time! If you are pregnant or might be pregnant, it is important for your acupuncturist to know!!
12. What is:
Acupuncture
Moxibustion
Cupping
Gua Sha
More information:
Yin Yang House
A fairly comprehensive introduction to Chinese medicine- including explanation of points, formulas, diagnoses, and treatments. A great reference site!
Root Down
An online Chinese medicine community. More geared towards practitioners. Includes information submitted by practitioners and discussed in the style of a forum.
Acutrials
An ever-growing database of acupuncture research. It takes just seconds to register.
A fairly comprehensive introduction to Chinese medicine- including explanation of points, formulas, diagnoses, and treatments. A great reference site!
Root Down
An online Chinese medicine community. More geared towards practitioners. Includes information submitted by practitioners and discussed in the style of a forum.
Acutrials
An ever-growing database of acupuncture research. It takes just seconds to register.