FAQ
How should I prepare for my acupuncture treatment?
Eat lightly before coming for an acupuncture treatment and wear comfortable clothes. Refrain from rigorous exercise for at least two hours before and after treatment.
Do acupuncture needles hurt?
Most people are surprised and relieved to learn that acupuncture needles are very thin - unlike hypodermic needles, which are thick and hollow. With a skilled acupuncturist, these tiny needles are gently placed - often the insertion is barely perceptible. This is quite unlike the painful piercing or pricking sensation typically associated with an injection, blood sample, or other medical needle procedure.
Do you use sterile needles?
Yes, absolutely. We use only disposable needles. This means only sterile needles are used, and each needle is used only once. After each session, we discard all needles in a biohazard container.
What is Qi?
Qi is the body's life force. It is the energy one needs to get out of bed in the morning; it is what activates our physical, mental, and emotional selves. Qi moves throughout the body via meridians that originate from deep within our organs up to the level of our skin. When there are blockages in the free-movement of qi, an imbalance is created and disease results. Acupuncturists use needles to encourage qi to move out of congested areas and into vacuous areas. This restores balance and the body returns to a state of health.
What is acupuncture used for?
The World Health Organization has put together a long list of conditions that acupuncture has been shown to effectively treat - and this list is far from absolute:
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Acid Reflux or GERD Addiction
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Allergies
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Anxiety and Depression
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Arthritis
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Asthma
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Back, neck and joint pain and sciatica
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Bronchitis and Tonsillitis
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Bursitis
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Cardiovascular health
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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Chronic fatigue and Fibromyalgia
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Common cold
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Conception difficulties
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Constipation or Dystentery
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Chronic Cough
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Digestive disorders including irritable and inflammatory bowel conditions
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Dizziness and Vertigo
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Ear infection/ringing or hearing loss
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Headaches and Migraines
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Hypertension
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Insomnia
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Irritability
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Lactation difficulties or Mastitis
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Menopausal symptoms
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Menstrual problems
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Obesity or Weight loss
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Post-operative recovery
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Pregnancy support and Postpartum care
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Prostate health
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Sinusitis
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Sexual dysfunction
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Stress
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Toothache
And many more…
How long is a typical patient visit?
Visits usually last 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the services provided. Please allow ample time and arrive early since there will be intake forms to complete. During your first visit, we will initiate a health history review and health care plan. This plan may involve a nutritional program, some suggested healthful lifestyle habits, specific exercises and, if appropriate and desired, traditional Chinese physiotherapy - such as acupuncture.
How many visits will it take?
Because each patient’s health problems and response to treatment are unique, the number and frequency of treatments vary.
Typically for diseases of the internal organs, the trunk of the body, or an old, chronic injury, the recommendation is one to two treatments per week for four to six weeks.
Acute conditions typically require fewer treatments than chronic conditions. Recommendations vary according to the condition, the patient’s body constitution, and the type of injury.
During your first visit, a therapy plan will be implemented with specific goals. For those interested in weight loss or nutritional and metabolic detoxification programs, we recommend a follow-up visit usually three to four weeks after you begin your initial plan of treatment. This will allow for any necessary adjustments in your treatment plan.
How does acupuncture work?
While there is no definitive answer to this question, acupuncture needles initiate the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers. The immune system is activated, as evidenced by the increase in white blood cell production (improving the body’s ability to fight infection). Neurotransmitter levels, as well as hormone levels, have also been shown to change. It is likely that all of these changes work together to create the healing response seen clinically.
Is my privacy protected?
Yes. You have many rights, which include the right to receive, read, and ask questions about your health and billing records. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), we are required to keep your health information protected, and to provide you with our Privacy Policy when you arrive at our office. If you have any questions about your privacy, please contact our office at 502-429-8835 or click here.
What should I bring with me?
It is beneficial to bring pertinent medical records related to your condition, such as past laboratory testing, X-rays and MRI reports. With laboratory advances in functional testing over the past 15 years, numerous tests have become available to better evaluate the root causes of illness. We provide our patients with informational access to many specialized laboratories. For those individuals without primary care physicians, we can recommend a primary care physician to you.