Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does acupuncture work?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), 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, while yang represents the hot, excited, or active principle. According to TCM, health is achieved by maintaining the body in a "balanced state"; disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. Qi can be unblocked, according to TCM, by using acupuncture at certain points on the body that connect with these meridians. Acupuncture stimulates the body’s ability to reopen the meridians and correct imbalances, overcome illnesses, or medical conditions. The points on the meridians are like switches on the power wire road. Sources vary on the number of meridians, with numbers ranging from 14 to 20. One commonly cited source describes meridians as 14 main channels "connecting the body in a web-like interconnecting matrix" of at least 2,000 acupuncture points. Bio-medical science has found that Acupuncture can prompt the body to produce chemicals that decrease or eliminate painful sensations.
2. Is acupuncture safe?
Absolutely. When acupuncture is performed with disposable needles under clean, sterile conditions, it is highly unusual to have any complications. One of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower than that of many drugs or accepted medical procedures used for the same conditions.
In the United States, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners. Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported to the FDA, in light of the millions of people treated each year and the number of acupuncture needles used.
3. What point is more important than others?
Among at least 2000 acupuncture points, there are 361 of acupuncture points along the body’s 14 major meridians, or energy-carrying channels. But not every point has opportunity to receive needles. Actually, there are 66 of points more important than others, they locate under knee joint and elbow joint. In those 66 of points, there are 8 of the most important points.
4. What happens during acupuncture treatment?
After you finish your medical history records and TCM evaluation, the acupuncture physician will select meridians involved in the medical condition you have, and then choose 3 or 5 of points to apply acupuncture. Acupuncture needles are sterile, pre-packaged, disposable, and hair-thin. The needles are placed at various depths, ranging from an inch to two inches.
Improper needle placement, movement of the patient, or a defect in the needle can cause soreness and pain during treatment. This is why it is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner (from NCCAM website).
5. What does acupuncture feel like?
You may feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted, but it is much less than the prick you feel during an injection, since the needles are much thinner.You may feel a heaviness, numbness, tingling or mild soreness after the needles have been inserted. A feeling of deep heaviness or numbness, or other feelings called “Deqi” means the acupuncture needle has been properly placed in the body, and the treatment is working.
When the needles stay in patients’ body or meridian, usually, the patient will get sound sleep for ten more minutes or lounger, and feel very relaxed.
6. What should I do after an acupuncture treatment?
It is best to bring someone with you on your first acupuncture treatment so that you will have transportation home. This is because acupuncture has a very calming effect. You may feel overly relaxed after the treatment and shouldn't drive. No matter how good you feel after the treatment, it is important not to overextend yourself. You should take it easy for a few days after the treatment. After 30 min, drinking 250 ml warm water. In addition, it is important to continue taking your prescribed medications until further discussions with your acupuncture physician.
7. How often should I be treated with acupuncture?
The number of treatments required depends on each person’s condition and response to acupuncture. One acupuncture session does not usually result in relief of pain. One or two sessions a week for five to six weeks is the normal course of treatment. Your physician will discuss with you how many treatments you should have and how often you should have them.
8. What are some guidelines to follow if I decide to try acupuncture?
Don’t rely on acupuncture for treatment of chronic or serious illness unless you see a physician first. Acupuncture may not be the only way to improve your condition. Your health care provider may recommend acupuncture treatment along with other treatment methods such as physical therapy or medication. In addition, try acupuncture for at least 5 or 10 treatments before giving up.
10. Does the medical field approve of acupuncture?
Yes. There are more than 16,000 licensed acupuncturists in the United States and 3,000 physicians who perform acupuncture as part of their medical practice.
The World Health Organization currently recognizes that more than 40 medical problems -- including pain, gastrointestinal, gynecological, and respiratory conditions as well as sports injuries -- can be helped by acupuncture treatment.
Lastly, in 1996 FDA reclassified acupuncture needles, regulating them as it does other medical devices. The disposable needles packed in a sealed package are now manufactured according to single-use standards of sterility and are intended for general use by qualified practitioners.
11. How is Acupuncture different from Western medicine?
We can best answer this question by explaining the basic framework of both types of medicine. The main type of medicine in the United States is known as Western medicine. Western medicine relies on the belief that disease is a defect within the human body or a destructive process caused by a specific outside pathogen. In the US, medical doctors use reductionism to employ diagnostic tools, find the disease-causing invader, control symptoms and cure the disease. There are three main components of treatment available within Western medicine: pharmaceuticals, surgery, and therapy (physical therapy, psychiatric therapy, orthotics, speech therapy, etc.).
Acupuncture is the main part of another form of medicine called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM looks at multiple symptoms and their pattern of illness specific to the individual and delineates their cause from a combination of negative imbalances within the lifestyle, psyche, and effects of environmental stress, trauma or invasion by external pathogens. TCM utilizes a holistic approach to medicine and does not try to find one exact reason for illness; rather, it acknowledges that there are several factors that contribute to problems arising in the physical body. The main components of treatment available within TCM include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, tui na (similar to massage), and nutrition.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), 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, while yang represents the hot, excited, or active principle. According to TCM, health is achieved by maintaining the body in a "balanced state"; disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. Qi can be unblocked, according to TCM, by using acupuncture at certain points on the body that connect with these meridians. Acupuncture stimulates the body’s ability to reopen the meridians and correct imbalances, overcome illnesses, or medical conditions. The points on the meridians are like switches on the power wire road. Sources vary on the number of meridians, with numbers ranging from 14 to 20. One commonly cited source describes meridians as 14 main channels "connecting the body in a web-like interconnecting matrix" of at least 2,000 acupuncture points. Bio-medical science has found that Acupuncture can prompt the body to produce chemicals that decrease or eliminate painful sensations.
2. Is acupuncture safe?
Absolutely. When acupuncture is performed with disposable needles under clean, sterile conditions, it is highly unusual to have any complications. One of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower than that of many drugs or accepted medical procedures used for the same conditions.
In the United States, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners. Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported to the FDA, in light of the millions of people treated each year and the number of acupuncture needles used.
3. What point is more important than others?
Among at least 2000 acupuncture points, there are 361 of acupuncture points along the body’s 14 major meridians, or energy-carrying channels. But not every point has opportunity to receive needles. Actually, there are 66 of points more important than others, they locate under knee joint and elbow joint. In those 66 of points, there are 8 of the most important points.
4. What happens during acupuncture treatment?
After you finish your medical history records and TCM evaluation, the acupuncture physician will select meridians involved in the medical condition you have, and then choose 3 or 5 of points to apply acupuncture. Acupuncture needles are sterile, pre-packaged, disposable, and hair-thin. The needles are placed at various depths, ranging from an inch to two inches.
Improper needle placement, movement of the patient, or a defect in the needle can cause soreness and pain during treatment. This is why it is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner (from NCCAM website).
5. What does acupuncture feel like?
You may feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted, but it is much less than the prick you feel during an injection, since the needles are much thinner.You may feel a heaviness, numbness, tingling or mild soreness after the needles have been inserted. A feeling of deep heaviness or numbness, or other feelings called “Deqi” means the acupuncture needle has been properly placed in the body, and the treatment is working.
When the needles stay in patients’ body or meridian, usually, the patient will get sound sleep for ten more minutes or lounger, and feel very relaxed.
6. What should I do after an acupuncture treatment?
It is best to bring someone with you on your first acupuncture treatment so that you will have transportation home. This is because acupuncture has a very calming effect. You may feel overly relaxed after the treatment and shouldn't drive. No matter how good you feel after the treatment, it is important not to overextend yourself. You should take it easy for a few days after the treatment. After 30 min, drinking 250 ml warm water. In addition, it is important to continue taking your prescribed medications until further discussions with your acupuncture physician.
7. How often should I be treated with acupuncture?
The number of treatments required depends on each person’s condition and response to acupuncture. One acupuncture session does not usually result in relief of pain. One or two sessions a week for five to six weeks is the normal course of treatment. Your physician will discuss with you how many treatments you should have and how often you should have them.
8. What are some guidelines to follow if I decide to try acupuncture?
Don’t rely on acupuncture for treatment of chronic or serious illness unless you see a physician first. Acupuncture may not be the only way to improve your condition. Your health care provider may recommend acupuncture treatment along with other treatment methods such as physical therapy or medication. In addition, try acupuncture for at least 5 or 10 treatments before giving up.
10. Does the medical field approve of acupuncture?
Yes. There are more than 16,000 licensed acupuncturists in the United States and 3,000 physicians who perform acupuncture as part of their medical practice.
The World Health Organization currently recognizes that more than 40 medical problems -- including pain, gastrointestinal, gynecological, and respiratory conditions as well as sports injuries -- can be helped by acupuncture treatment.
Lastly, in 1996 FDA reclassified acupuncture needles, regulating them as it does other medical devices. The disposable needles packed in a sealed package are now manufactured according to single-use standards of sterility and are intended for general use by qualified practitioners.
11. How is Acupuncture different from Western medicine?
We can best answer this question by explaining the basic framework of both types of medicine. The main type of medicine in the United States is known as Western medicine. Western medicine relies on the belief that disease is a defect within the human body or a destructive process caused by a specific outside pathogen. In the US, medical doctors use reductionism to employ diagnostic tools, find the disease-causing invader, control symptoms and cure the disease. There are three main components of treatment available within Western medicine: pharmaceuticals, surgery, and therapy (physical therapy, psychiatric therapy, orthotics, speech therapy, etc.).
Acupuncture is the main part of another form of medicine called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM looks at multiple symptoms and their pattern of illness specific to the individual and delineates their cause from a combination of negative imbalances within the lifestyle, psyche, and effects of environmental stress, trauma or invasion by external pathogens. TCM utilizes a holistic approach to medicine and does not try to find one exact reason for illness; rather, it acknowledges that there are several factors that contribute to problems arising in the physical body. The main components of treatment available within TCM include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, tui na (similar to massage), and nutrition.