Q: Why would I see an acupuncturist?
A: Many patients seek acupuncture treatment only as the last resort. Very often, the patients who have been treated in our office mention that they have tried almost every other treatment available. This is understandable because acupuncture has only been gaining acceptance in the United States in the last 30 years. Acupuncture remains a mystery and is sometimes intimidating to most people with a theory that sounds so “unscientific.” Through thousands of years of practice, inside and outside of China, acupuncture has proven to be a very helpful conjunctive treatment with the least side-effects for numerous common acute and chronic medical conditions when there is no indication for surgical intervention. For certain common acute and chronic medical conditions, such as dizziness/vertigo, imbalance, migraine headache, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea/constipation, menopause syndrome, menstral cramp etc, Acupuncture has proven to be the most helpful and with the least side-effects. It is strongly recommended to use acupuncture as the conjunctive frontline treatment because of its excellent efficacy, most individualized treatment and negligible side effects. Detailed information is available at the Acupuncture section of this website.

Q: How does it work?
A: A unique system, identified by the Chinese 5000 years ago, is composed of 14
regular meridians and thousand of acupoints. This system connects all
the organs and all the internal systems in the human body like a network. Studies
across the world have shown that acupuncture affects a variety of biological systems,
such as altering the level of neurotransmitters and hormones. Subsequently, multiple
systems, such as the immune, cardiac vascular, musculoskeletal and digestive
systems, will be regulated to reach their possible optimal functions. Investigations
with functional MRI demonstrated regionally specific modulation of brain activation
that may be the important mechanism by which acupuncture exerts its complex
multisystem effects. Detailed information is available at the Acupuncture section of this website.

Q: What conditions can be treated with acupuncture?
A: There are many common acute and chronic conditions that are treatable with acupuncture, with few side-effects. A trial of acupuncture is strongly recommended when issues such as the following are experienced:
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• Dizziness/Vertigo /Tinnitus
• Motion Sickness
• Stress/Anxiety /Depression
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Allergies/Hay Fever /Asthma
• Bell’s Palsy, Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Chronic Fatigue
• Dupuytren's Contracture
• Fibromyalgia
• Headache/Migraine
• Jaw pain/TMJ
• Myofacial Pain Syndrome
• Post Herpetic Neuralgia/ Shingles
• Pain Syndrome
o Neck, back & Any Joint Pain & Injury
• Painful Peripheral Neuropathies
• Post Stroke Recovery
• Post Brain Injuries Recovery
• Restrictive movements of the joints
• Spot Injuries and Bursitis
• Tendonitis, Sciatica, Fibromyalgia
• Trigger Fingers
• Acid Reflux/GERD
• Abdominal Cramping
• Constipation/Diarrhea
• Dry eye/Dry mouth / Sjögren's Syndrome
• Incontinence
• IBS
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Eczema/Common Skin Disorders
• Endometriosis
• Hot flashes/Night sweats
• Infertility
• Low libido
• Menopause symptoms
• Menstrual issues/PMS
• Insomnia /Poor Sleep
• Prostate issues
• Cold & Flu/Sinusitis
• Respiratory issues
• Smoking/Addictions
• Tinnitus
• Weight loss
• Wellness
• High Blood Pressure (when not well controlled with drug alone)
• Diabetes (when not well controlled with drug alone)
• High Cholesterol (when not well controlled with drug alone)

Q: How quickly can I expect to feel some difference?
A: Generally spoken, the efficacy depends on many factors. If the problem is acute, improvement is felt pretty often after the first treatment in the event that the patient is generally healthy and young. If the problem is chronic and long term, it may take many treatments to experience significant relief. The benefit is generated and stays inside your body with each treatment whether there is a difference felt or not. Although the optimum number of treatments varies with each individual, it is generally best to have 14 to 18 treatments to obtain the best results.

Q: What is the acupuncture needle like? Are the needles safe?
A: Acupuncture needles are small, solid and hair-thin. The end of an acupuncture needle is smooth and rounded. Only sterile, disposable needles are used and disposed of immediately.

Q: Does acupuncture hurt?
A: No. Acupuncture needles are very thin and round, they are not designed for cutting. Most patients are amazed at the almost painless treatment procedure. When the thin needles are inserted into the acupuncture points a sensation is felt. Sometimes it feels like a “grabbing” or “heaviness”. A few minutes after needle insertion, most people experience a very deep level of relaxation. A lot of people fall into sleep during the treatment. No two acupoints are exactly the same. Therefore, the feeling at different acupoints may all be different.

Q: Do you accept medical insurance?
A: Yes, we accept a majority of the health insurance plans available including No Fault and Workers Compensation. Acupuncture is now recognized as a legitimate medical field by the
National Institute of Health, American Medical Association. However, health insurance companies offer different medical plans and benefits relating to acupuncture. Please refer to our Medical Insurance section for more specific information. We encourage you to call our office or your health insurance company for specific coverage plan benefits and details on the cost of treatment for you.

Q: How safe are Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine?
A: Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are very safe in very experienced hands, as in our
office. The side effects of acupuncture are negligible. This medicine has been practiced
for hundreds of generations, over thousands of years, with rare negative side effects.
Even individuals who are highly allergic to Western pharmaceutical drugs respond
very well to Oriental Medicine. To date, we have treated patients who are on coumadin, plavix and/or aspirin without medical complications. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are, and have been, successfully used with children as well as immunosuppressant patients.

Q: Do I have to be ill to benefit from acupuncture treatment?
A: No. Many patients come for regular treatments to achieve increased effectiveness
and enjoyment in life. Acupuncture can also be a powerful preventative measure to
keep an individual healthy throughout the year such as, significantly reducing the frequency for allergy, asthma, menstral cramp, migraine headache, sinusitis, weight loss etc.

Q: I want to come for treatment, what do I need to do next?
A: You are welcome to contact either of our offices, whichever is more convenient for you, at the telephone numbers displayed on this website. We will do our best to answer your
questions, discuss your concerns and schedule an initial visit. During your first visit,
we will explore a treatment schedule that will best meet your needs. Upon making an
appointment, you can download the initial visit questionnaire from our website, fill it
out and bring it with you for your first appointment. Please remember to bring with
you any test results such as MRI and X-ray films. These can be very helpful in creating a treatment schedule to meet your needs.

Q: How can I get the most benefit out of each treatment?
A: A positive and healthy attitude is very important for acupuncture treatment, as it is for
all other medical management. Try to avoid intense physical activity, hunger or
overeating at least two hours before and after your treatment. Relaxation of your
body and mind is the most important step in getting the most benefit from each
acupuncture treatment.