We have a 24 hour cancellation policy. If you need to reschedule, please be sure to let us know 24 hours in advance (preferably 48 hours in advance for Monday appointments), so that we can make your appointment time available to another patient.
If you do not call to reschedule 24 hours in advance, or if you miss your scheduled appointment, you will be charged the full fee.
The answer depends on the nature and duration of your problems. To give acupuncture enough time to do its work, approximately 4-6 visits are required to start with. Generally speaking, the more recent the ailment, the shorter the treatment time and the fewer treatments needed. Problems that have arisen recently may see improvement within the first few treatments, while long-standing disorders may take longer for your body to balance. As with any form of medical care, the patient's attitude, diet, determination and lifestyle will affect the outcome and course of treatment.
Patients should start to feel the benefits from acupuncture within 2-3 treatments. If the problem is acute, sometimes improvement is felt after 1 treatment, and may only need 3-5 treatments to resolve. If the problem is chronic and long term, it may take many treatments to resolve.
Typically I start by treating patients 1-2 times a week. If the condition is acute and painful, treatments may be as frequent as 2-3 times per week for the first 2-3 weeks. The benefits of acupuncture treatments tend to hold longer as they receive treatments, so what typically happens is that patients need fewer treatments over time and eventually only come periodically for maintenance.
In China, people have been using natural herbs to treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions for over 5,000 years. These herbs are composed of roots, bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, branches and some animal products and minerals. Some conditions respond better to a combination of herbs and acupuncture. Combining both treatment modalities can provide a more efficient and effective healing response. It is also less costly because the number and frequency of acupuncture treatments can be reduced.
Herbal medicines are generally gentler than western medicine drugs and more holistically targeted, so there are fewer side effects. In fact, herbs used within the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) context relieve symptoms above and beyond the chief complaint of the patient.
I use only the highest quality Chinese herbs from suppliers with the most stringent testing and quality control.
Chinese herbal medicine effectively addresses most internal medical conditions. The goal is to support your body with natural, rather than synthetic, medication. Natural medicines are gentler than synthetic drugs and thus have fewer side effects. I combine acupuncture with Chinese herbs to help you achieve your health goals as quickly as possible. Individual substances are rarely prescribed alone in Traditional Chinese Medicine. A carefully balanced recipe of several different herbs is specifically tailored for each person's entire health condition. Each herb is chosen for its own specific functions. Herbal medicine formulas can be added to expedite the healing process, and strengthen, support or tonify the body. These formulas have the capacity to address the underlying root causes of various medical conditions, whether acute or chronic.
TCM treatments and acupuncture are used to complement and supplement your physician's treatments NOT TO REPLACE THEM. You should discuss this issue with your physician and acupuncturist.
Cupping is used to treat tight muscles, colds, back/shoulder pain and chest congestion. It is great for helping to release toxins, clear colon blockages, and clearing stretch marks, improving varicose veins. It is an ancient process in which suction is created on the skin with the application of heated cups.
Acupuncture originated in China over 2000 years ago. It is based on the belief that health is determined by a balanced flow of Qi (pronounced “Chee”) vital life energy present in all living organisms. Acupuncture is the gentle insertion of sterile, disposable, hair-fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of Qi. These points provide us with the 'gateways' to influence, redirect, increase, or decrease Qi correcting many imbalances. Qi circulates through the body along twelve major energy pathways, called meridians. Each meridian is linked to specific internal organs and organ systems. When you are healthy, the Qi flows smoothly.
Studies have shown that acupuncture stimulates the brain to release chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins help relieve the body of different kinds of pain. One of the primary uses of acupuncture is for the relief of chronic and acute pain. Acupuncture has been used extensively for a variety of medical purposes, ranging from the prevention and treatment of disease, to relieving pain.
A positive attitude helps with any type of therapy, but it is not necessary to believe in acupuncture for it to work. Acupuncture is used successfully on animals and children. They do not understand or believe in the process yet they get better anyway.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are extremely successful in the treatment of a multitude of conditions. It is an ancient science that has been around for thousands of years. Although it can be a complex discipline to learn and practice, it can be easily explained. Acupuncture can treat many health conditions listed below and more. It involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points along the meridians of the body which helps to adjust your life energy (Chi). Many people see their acupuncturist only 2-4 times a year for a "tune up" or "balancing" treatment. This can prevent disease and promote health, energy and vitality.
Acupuncture is gentle, safe and very effective for:
- Relieving pain
- Stimulating health
- Reducing stress
- Relaxing muscles
- Balancing the immune system
While some people feel nothing at all; others experience a brief moment of discomfort as the needle penetrates the skin that can be followed by a mild sensation of cramping, tingling, numbness, traveling warmth, or heaviness. The needles are left in place for about twenty to thirty minutes. Most people find the experience extremely relaxing and uplifting, and even fall asleep for the duration of the treatment.
It is important to let your acupuncturist know immediately so that they can make you more comfortable. If you are sensitive to acupuncture or ‘needle-phobic’ your acupuncturist can use thinner needles and be gentler. Be sure to speak up and let the practitioner know how you are feeling!
Evidence that Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine have been used to aid fertility can be found in early medical literature dating back to 3AD.
Ear acupuncture is a diagnostic and treatment system based on normalizing the body’s dysfunction through stimulation of points on the ear. Ear acupuncture is widely used for many conditions, including addiction treatment, mood disorders, obesity, pain, and other conditions. This medical system emphasizes a holistic approach to medicine, an approach that treats the whole person.
Ear acupuncture is generally incorporated into a regular acupuncture treatment. In addition to using acupuncture points on the rest of the body, your acupuncturist may select a few ear acupuncture points that they feel will be helpful for your particular condition. It is especially useful to relieve pain, calm the mind, treat allergies and infectious diseases, regulate endocrine system disorders and treat chronic disease and functional disorders and for weight management.Acupuncture needles, or ears seeds that the patient keeps on the ears for up to 5 days, can be used to stimulate the ear points.