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 Acupuncture is about more than just pins and needles.
What conditions can acupuncture and Chinese
herbal medicine treat?
How does acupuncture treat the "whole person"?
Is acupuncture safe?
What does an interview/exam involve?
What does a treatment involve? Does it hurt?
How long are the visits?
How mant treatments are necessary?
What is acupressure?
What is moxibustion?
What is cupping?
What is electro-acupuncture?
Chinese herbs – are they safe? Are they easy to take?
How much do treatments cost?
Will my insurance pay for acupuncture?
How do I chose an acupuncturist?
How does acupuncture work?
What conditions can acupuncture and Chinese
herbal medicine treat?
The World Health Organization has determined that acupuncture is an effective therapy for over 200 clinical conditions. These include the following conditions, all of which I have treated many times in my eleven years of practice:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Back pain
- Breeched baby &/or late delivery
- Circulatory disorders
- Digestive problems
- Gynecological disorders
- Insomnia
- Menopausal symptoms
- Migraines and headaches
- Muscular cramp and spasm
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Repetitive Stress Syndrome (including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sciatica
- Sprains
- Tendonitis
- Tobacco, alcohol and food addictions
- Whiplash injury
I would also include stress and anxiety, and other emotional complaints, such as depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. With the assistance of Chinese herbal therapy, internal medical disorders can be addressed, such as liver disease, immune deficiencies, and infertility.
Acupuncture is of such far-reaching benefits, I can recommend it for almost every condition. Most patients attain a state of deep relaxation with acupuncture, which greatly enhances their healing process. Call me to schedule a half-hour consultation at no charge, to discuss how acupuncture might address your specific concerns.
How does acupuncture treat the "whole person"?
The beauty of acupuncture is, even if, for some strange reason, it doesn't relieve your knee pain, you might find that after a few visits you are sleeping through the night, have more energy, and much less anxiety. In other words, acupuncture, if done properly, truly does treat the whole person.
Is acupuncture safe?
Yes. Acupuncture has no unpleasant side-effects and does not interfere with any medical treatment you may already be receiving. I use needles which are sterile and used only one time. Occasionally, patients may get a small bruise or feel light-headed for a few moments.
What does the interview/exam involve?
In order to determine your diagnosis and course of treatment, I need first to listen to what you can tell me about your symptoms and health history, and then to listen to what your body tells me. The shape and color of your tongue, your build, posture, and complexion, the quality of your pulses, texture of your muscles and skin on your arms, legs and abdomen, determination of sensitive or weak areas, and even the sound of your voice all provide me with important information regarding my treatment approach. I may ask you a myriad of questions about topics that seem unrelated to your concerns, such as your hobbies, moods or sleep patterns. In addition, we will examine your lifestyle from diet and exercise to work posture and movement habits.
What does a treatment involve? Does it hurt?
First time treatments are usually very simple, involving only a few needles. I use some of the slenderest needles available, and will often insert them only a few millimeters. As you become more comfortable with the acupuncture, and I get to know you better, moxibustion, cupping, herbal medicine, electro-acupuncture and stretches or simple exercises may be incorporated into your treatments and self-care.
Many patients are nervous about receiving acupuncture for the first
time. This is even true for people with piercings and tattoos! Almost
always, as soon as patients first feel the sensation of an acupuncture
needle, their fears dissolve. The sensation is not one of sharp
pain, but might be similar to a tugging, warming, or heavy feeling.
It is common for patients not to feel the needles at all. Often
there is a general sensation of deep calm and relaxation. My aim
is for my patients not to feel any even slight discomfort. Each
session is tailored to the needs of the individual – from
the extremely sensitive to those who enjoy strong needle sensations.
How long are the visits?
Usually the first visit is the longest, in order to allow for a complete history taking and exam, usually an hour and a half. Follow-up visits are shorter, about 50-60 minutes.
How many treatments are necessary?
An old saying among Chinese doctors is "a month of treatment for every year of suffering." This is a vast generalization, but it is often true that long term problems require a longer course of treatment. I am committed to trying to alleviate most of your complaints in 10 treatments or less. These will often be given over a 7-8 week period.
Your course of treatment will be shortened by the extent to which you help in your healing process. I may give you nutritional advice, show you exercises, or give you moxibustion "homework." Many patients choose to come in regularly, perhaps once or twice a month, in order to keep feeling in optimum health. Others come for a couple of visits at the beginning of allergy season, or when life stress seems a little overwhelming.
What is acupressure?
Basically, acupressure consists of pressing acupuncture points with the tips of the fingers. There are many types of acupressure, such as all forms of shiatsu.
What is moxibustion?
A literal translation of the Chinese words for acupuncture is "needle
heat therapy." Moxibustion consists of burning moxa (the herb
mugwort, or Artemisia Vulgaris), over or on top of the skin. This
provides a comfortable, penetrating heat to specific areas and acupuncture
points. Moxibustion in its many forms is a large part of acupuncture
practice.
What is cupping?
Cupping consists of creating a suction between glass, plastic, or
bamboo jars and the patients skin, most often on the back area.
A suction pump or a flame is used to create the suction. When the
cups are moved along the muscles, the feeling is similar to that
of receiving massage. Blood flow is stimulated and tight strained
muscles can relax and heal. You may have seen cupping in the movies
– The Madness of King George, Delicatessan, and Harriet the
Spy all feature cupping scenes.
What is electro-acupuncture?
Sometimes, for cases of localized pain, I will connect two needles with a mild micro current. The intensity is just strong enough for the patient to barely feel. This sensation has been described by patients as "buzzy" "like fairy dust", and simply "weird".
Chinese herbs – are they safe? Are they easy to take?
Chinese herbal medicine has been practiced and refined for over 2000 years. Over 1000 substances are used in herbal formulas. I am certified in Chinese herbs (not a requirement in the state of Washington), and will often prescribe herbal medicine for my patients. In straightforward cases, a prepared pill form can be used, but most often I make herbal formulas individually for each patient. Chinese Medicine treats each individual as a unique case. Five patients with headaches, for example, may each receive different herbal formulas.
I use granulated, pharmaceutical grade herbs. They are extremely clean and pure, and have already been thoroughly cooked. They are taken by simply stirring them into hot water. If you are already taking prescription medicines, I will avoid using herbs which may interfere with the action of your medication.
How much do the treatments cost?
Generally, payment is expected at the time of your visit, and the
following pay scale applies:
For payment in full at time of visit:
1-hour follow-up visits – $60
Low-income sliding scale – $45-$60
First office visit only (approx. 1.5 hours) – $75
Payment can be check, debit or credit.
If payment needs to be delayed more than 7 days after your visit,
the following fees apply:
Delayed payment:
1-hour follow-up visits – $75
First office visit only – $90
All herbs or supplements that I carry are sold to my patients at my
cost. By doing this, I not only keep my costs affordable, but I remove
myself from the equation, guaranteeing both of us that I only recommend
herbs out of a consideration for your health, not my income.
Please feel free to discuss your fee with me and to ask me any questions
about the cost of your treatment.
Will my insurance pay for acupuncture?
If you are seeking acupuncture for relief from injury due to an automobile accident, all of your fees are usually covered by insurance. I am happy to bill your insurance company directly.
For additional insurance information, specifically about my practice, please click here.
How do I choose an acupuncturist?
In Washington State, all acupuncturists holding the title L.Ac. (Licensed Acupuncturist), are licensed by the State to practice acupuncture, herbal medicine, Chinese massage, electroacupuncture, and additional related therapies. All licensed acupuncturists in the state have passed a National Board written and practical exam, and have completed an average of three years graduate studies in acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
In other words, although you might
want to seek a practitioner with many years of experience, or one
who is recommended to you personally, you are in safe, qualified
hands in Washington with any practitioner who holds a state license.
Most important, you want to feel completely comfortable with your acupuncturist. If you do not feel listened to, or feel at all uncomfortable with the care you are receiving, as with any health care profession, you might be better off finding a different practitioner.
How does acupuncture work?
Chinese Medicine is a complete medical system based largely on the understanding of yin & yang, the five elements, and channel theory. In addition to describing medical situations, these concepts can be applied to an understanding of everything in our world, from weather patterns to human interractions.
When working from a perspective of Chinese medical philosophy, it seems both inappropriate and impossible to transpose the art of acupuncture onto a Western paradigm. Any attempt to do so inevitably shrinks the art of acupuncture down to a tiny fraction of its scope. However, friends and patients often ask 'how does it work?', and they are seeking an understanding of acupuncture in terms familiar to them. For an introductory explanation of yin, yang, and the theories of Chinese medicine, I recommend Between Heaven and Earth by Beinfield and Korngold, or The Web That Has No Weaver by Kapchuck.
The following are several theories which I have attempted to summarize,
including two very recently presented proposals on how acupuncture
works from a western medical perspective (1 & 5). None of these
theories contradicts any other, and I believe there is truth in
all of them. I don't profess to present a complete picture; I am
certain other theories abound – I just haven't heard of them
yet.
- Japanese immunologist, Dr. Abo Toro, believes that acupuncture regulates white blood cell production by creating a state of healthy balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems (which correspond to states of yin and yang). I will attempt a simplification of his theory. For a more thorough explanation, see NAJOM, Vol. 10, nos. 28,29, 2003.
Disease, inflammation and pain are caused by the predominance of the sympathetic nervous system – the "fight-or-flight" state. How do we reach a state of sympathetic dominance to begin with? Stress, injury, exhaustion, irregular diet, allergens, toxic exposure – any combination of these can elicit a sympathetic/fight-or-flight response. When we are in this state of sympathetic dominance, circulation and digestion slow down, and our immune function is compromised. We become very susceptible to illness.
Any pain or anxiety we are experiencing serves to keep us locked in this sympathetic state. It is difficult to heal when we are stressed or in pain, because circulation and our capacity to heal are compromised. We get stuck in a cycle of disease.
Acupuncture, moxibustion, herbs, and massage all work partly by increasing blood circulation, which increases the supply of oxygen to stressed areas. Dr Abo has taken many measurements of white cell production before and after acupuncture. He has found that acupuncture increases lymphocyte production, which is a sign of parasympathetic dominance, the desired state for healing. Circulation, digestion and immune function can all work at their maximum potential when the patient is relaxed, in a parasympathetic dominant state.
- Many people have read that acupuncture increases the level of endorphins, putting patients into a relaxed state. Many patients do attain a state of deep relaxation. I believe that endorphins are part of the effect of acupuncture, but not the whole story. However, in a relaxed state, the body can rest from stress mode (sympathetic dominance) and begin to recharge the immune and circulatory systems.
- By creating micro traumas (tiny injuries), the needles and/or moxa stimulate healing responses to the specific areas chosen by the acupuncturist.
- The meridians, as described in Classical Chinese medical texts, are the pathways of least resistance in the body. We function by a vast network of electrical exchanges. The overall flow of electrical energy takes the paths of least resistance. Acupuncture points work like tiny sand traps in this flow ‚ where electrical energy tends to get stuck. They are also the points where the internal body is most accessible. (It can be shown that reactive acupuncture points, as measured on the skin surface, are small defined areas of increased electrical conductivity.) Therefore, acupuncture needles work like tiny antennae to release "stuck" electrical flow.
It is interesting to note that many pain researchers consider areas of pain or distress to be areas of high concentration of positive ions (positive charges). If acupuncture does allow for free electrical flow, these areas would achieve electrical balance with the rest of the body.
- Last, but not least, Dr. Jeffrey Dann, Ph.D., recently presented his fascinating research on acupuncture to seminar participants in Seattle. Dr. Dann has found that an acupuncture needle, inserted barely under the skin, quickly rotated back and forth, causes a liquid crystalline electrical discharge, which spreads like a wave through the fascial sheath deep into the body. He believes that bundles at the skin surface, consisting of nerve/artery/vein, along with abundant neural receptors, are the means by which the surface action of the needle can access deeper areas of the body. The connective tissue thus affected penetrates deeply into cells at the skeletal level, and can work to realign the pelvis, vertebrae or other skeletal areas. Dann also pointed out large overlaps between human structural theories from western researchers, and the channel theory of acupuncture.
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