q & a

Q. What is acupuncture?
A. Acupuncture is the most often practiced component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, it originated in ancient China and has been practiced and modified for thousands of years since. Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles that are extremely small in diameter through the skin at specific points on the body.

Q. What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
A. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a plenary medical system that has been used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses for more than 2,000 years. TCM is based on the belief in yin and yang, defined as opposing energies, such as sun and moon, winter and summer, and happiness and sadness, etc. When yin and yang are in balance, you feel relaxed and energized. Out of balance, however, yin and yang negatively affect your health.
In TCM, the body's internal organs are thought of not only as individual structures but also as complex networks. According to TCM, qi flows through organ systems -- kidney, heart, spleen, liver, lung, gallbladder, small intestine, and large intestine -- by way of the meridians. Despite their specific names, these 5 systems correspond to more than individual body parts. The kidney, for example, represents the entire urinary system along with the adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys. The heart, meanwhile, represents both the heart and the brain.

Q. What should I expect during an acupuncture treatment?
A. Most people experience a process of relaxation and often fall asleep during the treatment.

Q. What kind of needles are used?
A. The disposable needles are sterile and brand-new. They are thin, solid, and comparable in diameter to a human hair. They are made from stainless steel and the needle point is smooth.

Q. Does acupuncture hurt?
A. This is a very common question because people associate needles with pain from those used in Western medicine. Acupuncture needles are different from the thick and hollow-centered hypodermic needles used to administer medications in Western medicine. With acupuncture needles, patients experience only a minimal sensation as the needles are quickly inserted. Some feel no pain at all while others feel a short sensation upon insertion. Once the needles are in place, people may experience no sensations or a light weight resting on the skin's surface.

Q. ARE ACUPUNCTURISTS REQUIRED TO USE DISPOSABLE NEEDLES?
A. Yes. It is unprofessional conduct for an acupuncturist to use a needle more than once. California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 1399.454.

Q. How safe is acupuncture?
A. Acupuncture is extremely safe. It is an all natural, drug-free therapy, yielding no side effects except those of relaxation and well-being.

Q. What conditions can Acupuncture treat?
A. The following is a list of health conditions commonly treated by licensed acupuncturists:

Neck & back pain
Low back pain & sciatica
Shoulder pain
Tennis elbow
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Hip & knee pain
Trigeminal neuralgia
Migraine & headaches
TMJ disorder
Arthritis
Nausea and vomiting
Post-operative pain
Stroke
Adverse reactions to
radiation or chemotherapy
Allergies & sinusitis
Depression, anxiety & fatigue
Dysmenorrhea
Menopausal symptoms
Osteoporosis
Digestive disorders such as
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Nausea and vomiting
Sleep disorders
Weight management
Male and female fertility disorders
Addictions
General wellness

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