Balanced Health & Beauty

Frequently Asked Questions .....

How does Acupuncture work?   Western scientists are still trying to find an answer to this question that will satisfy them based on their particular medical model and understanding of the human body.   In the Oriental Medicine model, Acupuncture influences the flow of energy in the body, helping to correct imbalances of energy.   For instance, poor digestion may be due to low Spleen energy.   Acupuncture points known to strengthen Spleen energy are needled  which regulate the Spleen energy and results in improved digestion.  On the other hand, for stress or depression due to excessive (congested) Liver energy, acupuncture points which would reduce and smooth the flow of Liver energy are needled to relieve stress or ease depression.

Do you only use disposable needles?   Yes, the clinic uses only disposable needles.  New needles are used for each treatment.  Used needles are discarded after each session. 

What does Acupuncture feel like?   Contrary to common misconceptions, insertion of acupuncture needle often produces little or no sensation. It is completely different from having a hypodermic injection nor being stuck by a pin. Acupuncture needles are hair-thin (much thinner than a hypodermic needle) and solid thus resulting in a smoother and less perceptible insertion.  Once a needle is inserted, depending on the location and intended purpose, it may be carefully manipulated to create a Qi (energy) sensation, which is characterized by a mild sensation of warmth, electricity, numbness, soreness, or swelling.   Any of these sensations indicate that the needle is doing its job of stimulating the flow of energy in the body.  Overall, an acupuncture treatment creates a relaxing sensation of calm and well being.

How can I improve acupuncture treatment results?
It is vital to follow these guidelines:

• Come to your appointments. If you absolutely need to reschedule an appointment, please give 24 hours notice. In order to get full treatment, you must be on time.
• Do not submerge in water (e.g. shower, bath, hot tub, etc.) for at least 12 hours after acupuncture.
• Eat something in the three hours before receiving acupuncture.
• If healing reactions occur while under acupuncture care or while taking Chinese Herbal Medicine, we highly recommend calling to inform the office of specific body reactions.

Are Results Permanent?  For acute problems where there has been little or no organ system or tissue damage, results are often permanent. For chronic conditions, symptoms may recur from time to time. Generally a few additional treatments are sufficient to obtain relief. It's suggested that patients with severe or chronic conditions return for a booster treatment two to three times a year.

Are herbal medicines safe?   Herbal medicines are extremely safe when prescribed by a knowledgeable herbalist. In fact, in contrast with modern pharmaceutical drugs, there are little or no side effects with herbal medicine when prescribed properly.  However there are circumstances when some herbs should not be taken, and long term use or large dosages of some herbs can cause health problems.   For this reason it is important to take herbs only under the direction of a qualified herbalist.

What is a custom herbal formula?   Along with Acupuncture, the art and science of Herbal Medicine boasts a history of thousands of years of refinement and perfection.   Doctors over the ages have dedicated their lives to empirical researches -- classifying, and describing in detail the usage & preparation of thousands of herbs, which has enabled later practitioners like myself to pick and choose herbs as appropriate to customize herbal formulas for each individual patient at each office visit for maximum benefit.

As an example, a patient may seek treatment for the problem of menstrual cramps.   A typical Oriental Medicine diagnosis of Liver Qi and Blood stagnation may be the cause, however the reason a formula needs to be customized is as wide ranging as there are different types of people.   Although two women may both suffer menstrual cramps, one woman may have a robust constitution while the other a more fragile constitution.  Giving these two women the same prescription would not only be less than ideal, but a general pre-packaged formula prescribed for all types of menstrual cramps may not be effective and in fact harmful depending on the particular presentation of the patient.

A custom herbal formula also rarely remains the same from visit to visit.   As a patient's presentation changes (which can be subtle but will be observed by a capable doctor), the prescription must be modified accordingly.  For example, if a patient with menstrual cramps also has poor digestion, the first few weeks of formulas may treat both symptoms but focus more on improving digestive function.   After digestive symptoms improve, the emphasis of the formula can be shifted to menstrual cramping.   The prescription will be modified again as symptoms of cramping begin to disappear.   Very few prescriptions should be taken long term without modification, because you are constantly changing.

Unlike pre-packaged formulas that cannot be adjusted, herbal formulas made from loose herbs can be easily modified to suit the patient.   Most pre-packaged formulas are intended to treat a specific symptom, but patients usually have a complex presentation with various symptoms, each requiring careful consideration.   The addition or subtraction of just a single herb can have a significant impact on the effect of a formula.   Customizing the formula is essential to obtain maximum therapeutic effect.

How are herbs taken?      In raw herb form, herbs are decocted (boiled) in a special clay pot for about thirty minutes and then taken as a decoction.  The decoction may taste unpleasant at first, but most patients quickly adapt to the taste and some in fact over time enjoy the taste . One cup of tea is taken 2-3 times per day.   Powder or extract form is mixed with hot water to make a drink that is taken when it is warm.  Herbal pills may also be prescribed for convenience of the patient.

How many treatments do I need to get better?     This will depend on the body constitution and the nature of the problem. Generally speaking, acute problems (problems with a short history) may be resolved quicker, while chronic problems may require more treatments.   In most cases, one to two treatments per week is recommended for optimal results.

How Many Treatments?   You can typically expect your first visit to require about 90 minutes, and follow-up visits to require about one hour. Usually one to two treatments per week is optimal, with ten treatments constituting one course of treatment. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need anywhere from one treatment to multiple courses of treatments. This will be discussed on your initial visit.   As a general rule, acute problems can generally be treated with fewer visits, while chronic problems may require one month of treatment for every year the problem has persisted. However, every person has a different set of circumstances, so these should be discussed in detail to get a better idea of the treatment schedule.

Can Oriental Medicine Help Prevent Future Health Problems?    A beautiful aspect of Oriental Medicine is its ability to detect imbalances in the body and to address them before they potentially become more serious problems.   Oriental Medicine does not rely on laboratory tests to determine the health of an individual.  Instead, the condition of different body systems is ascertained through direct observation and questioning.  The body is full of different signs that indicate whether a system is functioning optimally or not.   Many times these signs of imbalance will be evident before a more serious problem potentially has a chance to manifest.   Oriental Medicine is an elegant means of maintaining a healthy balance in the body, which can help prevent future health problems.