Products

What to Expect

To determine the type of acupuncture treatment that will help you the most, your practitioner may ask you
many questions about your symptoms, behaviors and lifestyle. He or she may also closely examine:

* The parts of your body that are painful
* The shape, coating and color of your tongue
* The color of your face
* The strength, rhythm and quality of the pulse in your wrist

This initial evaluation may take up to 60 minutes. Subsequent appointments usually take about a half-hour. A
common treatment plan for a single complaint would typically involve six to 12 treatments, scheduled over a
few months. Several maintenance sessions a year also may be recommended.

During Treatment
Acupuncture points are located in all areas of the body. Sometimes the appropriate points are far removed
from the area of your pain. Your acupuncture practitioner will tell you the general location of the planned
treatment. If appropriate, a gown, towel or sheet will be provided to preserve your modesty. After you lie
down on a padded table, the treatment begins.

* Needle insertion. Acupuncture needles are very thin, so insertion usually causes very little discomfort.
Between five and 20 needles are used in a typical treatment. You may feel a deep, aching sensation when a
needle reaches the correct depth.
* Needle manipulation. Your practitioner may gently move or twirl the needles after they've been placed.
Another option is to apply heat or a mild electric pulses to the needles.
* Needle removal. In most cases, the needles will remain in place for 15 to 30 minutes while you lie still and
relax. There is usually no sensation of discomfort when the needles are removed. Your acupuncture
practitioner will discard the needles after removal.

After Treatment
Some people feel relaxed while others feel energized after an acupuncture treatment.

Courtsey of Mayo Clinic

Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the concept that disease results from disruption in the flow of
qi (life energy) and imbalance in the forces of yin and yang. Practices such as herbs, meditation,
massage, and acupuncture seek to aid healing by restoring the yin-yang balance and the flow of qi.

Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body by a variety of techniques, including the
insertion of thin metal needles though the skin. It is intended to remove blockages in the flow of qi and
restore and maintain health. In the United States, acupuncture is considered part of complementary
and alternative medicine.

Acupuncture Side Effects

One of the best things about acupuncture is that it has almost no side effects and is a simple,
noninvasive, painless method of treating conditions. Unlike conventional western medicine,
acupuncture has few complications and are only complementary to other treatments you are
undergoing.

Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported to the FDA. Still,
complications have resulted from inadequate sterilization of needles and from improper delivery of
treatments. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates acupuncture needles for use by licensed
practitioners, requiring that needles be sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for single use by qualified
practitioners only. Make sure your doctor uses a new set of disposable needles for each patient and
should swab treatment sites with disinfectant before inserting needles.