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1.  Is Chinese medicine safe?   
Chinese medicine is safe if used as directed. It is much gentler than western medicine because its principle revolves around the concept of guiding the body to heal itself. 

2.  Is acupuncture painful? 
When performed by a well-trained practitioner, needle insertion cannot be felt. Instead, the patient may feel a dull aching sensation after the needle is inserted. Many patients sense an actual movement of energy throughout their bodies during the treatment. 

3.  Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
More and more insurance companies are beginning to recognize the benefits derived from acupuncture and are adding it as part of the regular benefits package.

  
Questions that you can ask your insurance provider are listed below. Due to the extensive nature of the questions that must be asked of Insurance companies, the task of determining whether acupuncture is covered under the insurance policy of each patient takes a bit of time.  We are happy to find the answers to these questions for you. But, the better you yourself understand your Medical Insurance, the better you can optimize your health benefits.
Does my policy cover acupuncture?
Is there a deductible?   If so, how much is my deductible?

Has my deductible been met? Is there a yearly maximum on Acupuncture coverage?  If so, has any been used?
Is there a lifetime maximum on Acupuncture?  If so, has any been used? 
 

4.  How long does a general acupuncture session last? 
Your first appointment is very in depth and will be used to perform a thorough intake of your medical and personal history after which a diagnosis will be achieved and a treatment performed.  This first session usually lasts an hour and a half with every session after that lasting approximately one hour. The actual amount of time in which the needles are retained in the body generally does not exceed 30-40 minutes.  

5.  How many treatments do I need before I see results?
Results depend greatly on a patient’s overall health and on how long they have had their condition. In general, chronic conditions take longer to resolve than acute conditions. After your initial appointment a plan of  treatment will be discussed, including the 
recommended number of visits in order to resolve or improve your condition. 

6.  What kinds of conditions can acupuncture treat?
The true elegance of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture is the emphasis on the treatment of unique patterns that develop in each person. For example, there may be six people being treated for Type II Diabetes, but each patient would receive different treatment based on varied aspects of each one’s constitution and other life factors.      

The World Health Organization (using clinical experience) drew up a list of over forty conditions that lend themselves to acupuncture treatment.

Respiratory Disorders
Acute and chronic sinusitis
Acute tonsillitis
Acute and chronic pharyngitis
Acute and chronic bronchitis
Allergic rhinitis
Acute and chronic asthma
Common cold
Chronic cough

Neurological Disorders
Migraine headaches 
Trigeminal neuralgia
Bell’s Palsy
Stroke-induced paresis
Peripheral neuropathies
Meniere’s disease
Neurogenic bladder
Intercostal neuralgia

Gastrointestinal Disorders
Esophageal spasm
Hiccups
Acute and chronic gastritis
Acute and chronic duodenitis
Acute and chronic colitis
Constipation
Diarrhea
Paralytic ileus

Miscellaneous Disorders
Toothache
Gingivitis
Acute conjunctivitis
Retinitis
Myopia (in children)
Dysmenorrhea
Nocturnal enuresis
Muscle tension headache

7.  Are there any side effects of acupuncture?
Acupuncture has minimal side effects, making it a welcome and effective treatment approach for a wide scope of conditions. 

The application of acupuncture needles may be accompanied by a brief painful sensation, and there is a slight possibility of minor swelling, bleeding, discoloration of the skin, bruising at the sight of the needle and fainting. Momentary euphoria or lightheadedness may occur after acupuncture treatment.  

The attending acupuncturist can easily handle any immediately reported problems that arise from acupuncture treatment and the possibility of minor problems need not be a cause for concern.

8.  It seems as though getting treated by an acupuncturist on a regular basis is unnecessary.  Wouldn’t I be better off waiting until I really need to see the doctor?
Regular acupuncture treatment is an investment in quality of life. Why wait until your health deteriorates or until you need urgent or emergency care?  Our ultimate goal of treatment is prevention. The value of optimum health is infinite.  Health is wealth.

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