Frequently Asked Questions
How does acupuncture work?
The philosophy of Chinese medicine is that there are meridians or channels that run through the entire body. Qi, or life force energy, flows through these channels freely when we are healthy. Physical and emotional trauma, stress, lack of exercise, overwork, seasonal changes and poor diet can impair this flow and lead to pain and disease. Acupuncture and Acupressure are utilized to balance and restore the flow of Qi.
Do acupuncture needles hurt?
The sensation caused by the needles varies. Some people feel a warm sensation, some a dull ache, heaviness or tingling. Most people don’t feel any pain at all. Patients frequently fall asleep during treatment and report a deep sense of relaxation afterward. Acupuncture needles are very fine, about the thickness of a cat’s whisker. They come in a sterile package and are used once and discarded. 10 to 12 acupuncture needles will fit inside of a needle used to draw blood.
What happens during treatment?
During the first visit a full health history will be taken. The acupuncturist will look at your tongue, check your pulses and do a physical exam. The first visit generally takes 90 minutes. The actual treatment with needles takes 45-60 minutes. To prepare, you will want to have had a light snack and wear loose clothing that can be rolled up to your elbows and knees. It is best to avoid caffeine for 2 hours before the visit. Cindy treats patients in recliner chairs or lying down on a table, which ever is most comfortable.
How often do I need to have treatments?
The goal of the first visit is to diagnose what is out of balance and to create a clear treatment plan to bring the body back to balance. A typical treatment plan can vary from 3 or 4 visits to 12 to 20 visits depending on your condition, age, lifestyle and underlying health. There are 3 phases in most treatment plans. Phase one is acute care. An example would be if there is a leak in your roof. Acute care would be putting up a tarp to stop water from coming into your home. The goal is to get you quick relief from pain and symptoms. It is common during this phase to be seen up to 2 or 3 times in a week. If there is a pain cycle, we want to work together to knock the pain down and intercede with another appointment before it returns.
Phase two begins when the symptoms are greatly relieved. This is called maintenance care. This would be replacing the roof tiles that let the rain leak into the house, which can only happen when the storm passes. Our goal is to maintain and support the changes we have achieved and provide a foundation for deeper healing at the root of the problem. It is common for people to stop treatment at this point. When the pain is gone, we think the problem is gone. If we don’t repair the roof, a heavy wind or rain can get under the tarp and the leak will return. During this phase patients may come in weekly or bi-weekly.
Phase three is Wellness and Preventative Care. This is clearing leaves and debris from the roof and doing yearly maintenance to replace tiles that are worn. This is the phase where health and balance are restored. Patients will come in for tune-ups monthly or at the change of the seasons.
Does my insurance cover it?
We are happy to assist you with any insurance questions and to determine if your insurance provider covers acupuncture. We accept insurance that provides alternative coverage and Cindy is a preferred provider with most insurance panels.
If you have any questions that are not covered on this page, don't hesitate to voice your concerns.
Email Cindy at seeahnah@yahoo.com
