1) What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a safe and effective form of medical treatment which originated at least five thousand years ago. When the flow of Qi (body’s vital energy) is impeded or disturbed, pain or illness occurs. Technically, acupuncture is the insertion of ultra thin, hair like needles into specific areas of the body for the purpose of rebalancing and restoring the body’s energies.

2) How acupuncture works?
Acupuncture works by stimulating the flow of "Qi" throughout the body. Where there is injury, the Qi or energy of the body gets stuck or becomes deficient. The painless insertion of needles helps bring the body's attention to the area and resume the free flow of energy, which balances and harmonizes the body systems. The effect of the treatment is very balancing and stabilizing, resulting in a calmer, more peaceful state of mind.

3) Does acupuncture hurt?
Many patients fear needles due to previous unpleasant experiences with medical injections. While medical hypodermic needles are stiff and hollow, acupuncture needles are extremely fine and flexible. You can fit about 18 acupuncture needles in one Hypodermic needle. Each needle is no larger than a human hair and the insertion often produces no pain or only a mild sensation of tingling, traveling warmth, or heaviness. Many people feel a brief stinging sensation, like a pinprick, during insertion. In fact, most people experience a profound feeling of relaxation and even fall asleep for the duration of treatment.

4) What can acupuncture treat?
In reality, it is a complete medical system that addresses all the problems associated with human condition.
These include:
Musculo-skeletal disorders
Gastrointestinal disorders
Urogenital disorders
Gynecological disorders
Respiratory disorders
Neuro-muscular disorders
Circulatory disorders
Emotional and psychological disorders
Additions, Etc.

5) Does acupuncture treat infertility?
Yes, there has been many cases reported that have had success. I too, in my practice have had many successful cases of women Progesterone levels have been found to be higher in women receiving acupuncture and herbal treatments before ART treatments. Progesterone is the hormone in the body that transforms the uterine lining into a receptive environment for implantation and nurturing of the fertilized egg. Another reason that acupuncture may have such a dramatic impact on IVF success is through increased blood flow to the uterus. It is well known that acupuncture stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which increases blood flow (vasodilatation) and also allows the patient to become incredibly relaxed. During implantation sometimes the uterus "flutters" and has small contractions. It has been suggested that acupuncture allows for such deep relaxation that this no longer occurs.

6) How many treatments will I need?
There is no definitive answer to this question. The length, number and frequency of treatments will vary from person to person depending on the conditions being treated, your age and health, and how you respond to acupuncture. Many conditions respond rapidly to acupuncture. However, some conditions that have taken many years to develop will require a longer treatment period. Acute conditions may respond in two-to-five treatments and chronic conditions may require five-to-twenty treatments.
A consultation with an experienced practitioner about you and your condition will offer the best guide for the length of treatment.

7) How often should I be treated?
Again, this depends on what you are being treated for and your practitioner. It is common for treatments to be scheduled one or two times a week in the beginning to obtain optimal response and then once every other week. If you are not able to schedule appointments that frequently, your acupuncturist may prescribe Chinese herbs, dietary changes, exercises or pressure points for you to use at home.
Acupuncture is also often used as a preventative medicine. Many people see their acupuncturist only 3-6 times a year for a "tune up" or "balancing" treatment. This can prevent disease and promote health, energy and vitality.

8) IS ACUPUNCTURE COVERED BY INSURANCE?
Yes, today most insurance plans cover acupuncture. As various insurance plans may have different coverage which may be confusing. Our office utilizes the resources of a professional biller for verification and billing of insurance. This service is at no extra cost to our patients.

9) Are there risks or side effects to acupuncture?
Usually not. Acupuncture is a very safe method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve function.
A side effect that I have sometimes seen in my own practice is the original symptoms worsening for a few days after an acupuncture treatment. These should not cause concern, as they are simply indications that the acupuncture is starting to work. My teacher explained it to me like this: Acupuncture is smoothing out blocked Qi (energy) that is stuck in areas of your body. When a garden hose gets a kink in it, the water stops flowing. When you straighten the hose, the built up pressure makes the water burst out in the beginning. This is what can happen when you first have acupuncture.

It is also common with the first one or two treatments to have a sensation of deep relaxation or even mild disorientation immediately following the treatment. These effects should wear off within 24-48 hours.

While Acupuncture is an extremely safe form of physical medicine, here are some rarely seen contraindications and risks:

10) Precautions and Contraindications:
1. It is contraindicated to needle the abdomen and lumbo-sacral areas of pregnant women
2. Avoid blood vessels to prevent bleeding
3. Points on the chest and back should be carefully needled to avoid injury to organs