F.A.Q.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been in existence as a healing art for over 2,500 years and can remedy acute or chronic ailments, relieve pain, enhance recuperative powers, and strengthen the immune system. Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world and began to become better known in the United States in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his pain after surgery.The term acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. American practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The acupuncture technique that has been most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with extremely fine, flexible, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.
What is a typical treatment like?
In an Oriental Medicine assessment, the practitioner will diagnose and differentiate your condition with a thorough examination, including interpretation through health history, inspection, pulse palpation, and tongue diagnosis. A pattern of disharmony will be identified and a treatment plan recommended.People experience acupuncture differently, but most feel no or minimal pain. When the needles are inserted, you may experiences a sensation of tingling, aching, warmth, numbness, jolting, or pressure, called "De Qi." Although for many, this is a new sensation that may feel odd, people are often surprised that acupuncture treatments are quite relaxing. Some people are energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed. Improper needle placement, movement of the patient, or a defect in the needle can cause sharp pain during treatment. This is why it is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner.
Other adjunct techniques used include Moxibustion (heat), Gua Sha (scraping), Cupping (suction), Auricular Therapy (ear acupuncture), and electrical, laser, or manual point stimulation. The length and frequency of treatments vary by individual and are scheduled according to the nature of your condition.
Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
Please check with your insurance provider to determine if you are eligible for acupuncture coverage. We will provide you with a superbill receipt that you can submit to your carrier for reimbursement. Some insurance companies will allow acupuncture for physical conditions to be used toward your yearly deductible and will reimburse for out of network providers. We may be able to bill insurance on a case-by-case basis, however treatment will be billed based on procedure and may be more expensive than our time-of-service rates.
How much does it cost?
Initial Consultation: $40
Acupuncture Treatment: $65
Acupuncture Pre-Payment Treatment Package: 10% discount
Cosmetic Acupuncture Session: $125
Cosmetic Acupuncture Package of 12 treatments: $1,250
Stress Buster/Immunity Booster/Stop Smoking Sessions: $35
Herbal Therapy: Varies
These are rates for time of service payment. We accept Cash, Check, Visa, Master Card, and Discover. In addition, we accept Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts - Acupuncture is a reimbursable expense. Payment is due at time of service. We do not offer refunds on packages or services rendered. Please visit forms for our full financial policy.
What to expect following an acupuncture treatment?
Immediate total or partial relief from pain or other symptoms may be experienced following an acupuncture treatment. This relief may last or some of the pain may return. In some cases, pain may seem worse before getting better. By the next day or so, pain can be expected to gradually improve. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to see the pain diminish over the next few days. Some patients report slight soreness, light-headedness or even euphoria after treatments. Most people, however, report a sense of pleasant relaxation. It is advisable to rest or engage in light activity for a few hours after a treatment in order to allow stabilization of the system. It is best not to eat a heavy meal, engage in strenuous physical activity, engage in sexual activity or become emotionally upset immediately after acupuncture treatments.
Immediate total or partial relief from pain or other symptoms may be experienced following an acupuncture treatment. This relief may last or some of the pain may return. In some cases, pain may seem worse before getting better. By the next day or so, pain can be expected to gradually improve. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to see the pain diminish over the next few days. Some patients report slight soreness, light-headedness or even euphoria after treatments. Most people, however, report a sense of pleasant relaxation. It is advisable to rest or engage in light activity for a few hours after a treatment in order to allow stabilization of the system. It is best not to eat a heavy meal, engage in strenuous physical activity, engage in sexual activity or become emotionally upset immediately after acupuncture treatments.
How deep do the needles go?
The anatomy of selected points, patient size age and constitution all play a role in determining depth of needle insertion. In general, needles may be inserted from 1/4" to 1" in depth.Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are very different from hypodermic needles used for injections. They are very fine and flexible and are usually barely felt when inserted. There are certain sensations associated with the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. These may include slight cramping, heaviness, distention, tingling or electric sensation traveling along a meridian. If any discomfort is experienced, it is usually mild. Most people describe the sensation as "weird" or "strange", but not painful.Are the needles clean?
In North America, the majority of acupuncturists use pre-sterilized, individually packaged, disposable acupuncture needles to assure absolute control over cross-infection. At Jing, we use single-use disposable needles that are disposed of in a biohazard container.How many treatments are necessary?
The nature, severity and history of each individual's complaint, as well as the individual himself or herself, determine the number of treatments necessary. In this system of medicine, the effectiveness of each treatment typically builds upon the previous one. An average of five to fifteen initial treatments are generally recommended to achieve the goal of the treatment plan. Many acute conditions may only require a single treatment or intensive series of treatments, while some degenerative conditions may require a longer and more consistent series of treatments. Once significant changes have been made, maintenance treatments may be required. Depending on the particular condition and the patient's age, this may entail a treatment every one to three months.The primary focus of Chinese medicine is on correcting the underlying cause of illness to produce a lasting cure. Symptoms can often be relieved in a relatively small number of treatments; however, the resolution or management of patterns of disharmony is a much longer process. At Jing, we will check your progress throughout your treatment plan. We will strive to provide you with an accurate prognosis and refer you to another healthcare practitioner if we are unable to help you.What problems can be treated by acupuncture?
The World Health Organization has publicly announced that acupuncture is suitable for treating the following:- Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders: toothaches, pain after tooth extraction, gingivitis, acute or chronic otitis, acute sinusitis, acute rhinitis, nasal catarrh and acute tonsillitis.
- Respiratory Disorders: asthma, bronchitis, colds and allergies.
- Gastrointestinal Disorders: esophageal and cardio spasm, hiccup, gastroptosis, acute or chronic gastritis, sour stomach, chronic duodenal ulcers, acute or chronic colonitis, acute bacillary dysentery, constipation, diarrhea, and paralytic ileus.
- Eye Disorders: Acute conjunctivitis, central retinitis, near-sightedness (in children) and cataracts without complaints.
- Neurological and Muscular Disorders: headaches, migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis (within the first three to six months), post-stroke paresis, peripheral neuritis, neurological bladder dysfunction, bed wetting, intercostal neuralgia, cervical syndrome, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, sciatica, low back pain and osteoarthritis.
Is acupuncture safe?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners in 1996. The FDA requires that sterile, nontoxic needles be used and that they be labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only. Side effects such as bruising or paresthesia at the insertion site, are generally mild and self-limiting.Does Acupuncture Work?
According to the NIH Consensus Statement on Acupuncture, there have been many studies on acupuncture's potential usefulness, but results have been mixed because of complexities with study design and size, as well as difficulties with choosing and using placebos or sham acupuncture. However, promising results have emerged, showing efficacy of acupuncture, for example, in adult postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in postoperative dental pain. There are other situations--such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low-back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma--in which acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program. An NCCAM-funded study recently showed that acupuncture provides pain relief, improves function for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, and serves as an effective complement to standard care. Further research is likely to uncover additional areas where acupuncture interventions will be useful. Please see our Acupuncture News Blog for some of the latest research.How does it work?
In the TCM system of medicine, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Yin represents the cold, slow, or passive principle, yang represents the hot, excited, or active principle. Traditionally, acupuncture works by balancing the subtle energies of the body and health is achieved by maintaining the body in a "balanced state." Acupuncture does not cure or treat diseases, it helps balance the body to allow the body to heal itself.The concept of Qi (pronounced chee) is essential to understanding how acupuncture works. The closest English language translation for the word Qi is "life energy." When the Qi in our body is in balance, we feel healthy and happy. When Qi is not flowing properly, or when it becomes blocked, many different signs & symptoms of disease may arise. These can include pain, a weakened immune system, emotional difficulties, infertility, and ill health. Acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points on the body to restore the normal flow of the body’s Qi. Once the body is in a balanced state, it can heal itself more efficiently.
Preclinical studies have documented acupuncture's effects, but they have not been able to fully explain how acupuncture works within the framework of the Western system of medicine that is commonly practiced in the United States. It is proposed that acupuncture produces its effects through regulating the nervous system, thus aiding the activity of pain-killing biochemicals such as endorphins and immune system cells at specific sites in the body. In addition, studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neuro-hormones and, thus, affecting the parts of the central nervous system related to sensation and involuntary body functions, such as immune reactions and processes that regulate a person's blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature.
