 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
512.300.9032 |
The following are some frequently asked questions about Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. If you have a question not answered here, please feel free to call 512.300.9032 for information.
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 example, poor digestion may be due to low Spleen energy. Acupuncture points known to strengthen Spleen energy are needled, which then increases Spleen energy and results in improved digestion. Another example is stress or depression due to excessive (congested) Liver energy. Acupuncture points which help reduce and smooth the flow of Liver energy are then needled, which helps to relieve stress or ease depression.
Is Acupuncture covered by medical insurance?
Acupuncture is covered by many insurance carriers, however the benefits for each plan vary widely. Our clinic works with an insurance biller who handles all claims submissions. All you need to do is bring in your insurance card so we can determine whether you are covered for Acupuncture and what your benefits are.
Is Acupuncture covered by Worker's Compensation?
Yes. Under California law, employees are entitled to compensation for medical care resulting from accidental injury or disease that is related to employment regardless of whether the employee is at fault or not.
Employers are required to provide immediate medical or Acupuncture treatment for employment injuries. You must use the physician/acupuncturist selected by your employer for the first 30 days of treatment. After 30 days, you are free to choose the physician/acupuncturist of your choice. If your employer does not does not have an acupuncturist or physician on staff, ask your employer to approve Acupuncture immediately.
An injured employee is entitled to all necessary treatment of the employment-related injury sufficient to restore health to a level experienced before the injury.
Do you only use disposable needles?
Yes, JJ uses only disposable needles. New needles are used for each treatment and then promptly discarded after the session is over.
What does Acupuncture feel like?
Contrary to common misconceptions, insertion of Acupuncture needles often produces little or no sensation. It is not comparable to receiving a hypodermic injection nor being stuck by a pin. Acupuncture needles are hair-thin, much thinner than a hypodermic needle, and are solid, not hollow, which actually contributes to a smoother less perceptible insertion. A capable acupuncturist is able to insert needles with little or no sensation felt by the patient. 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.
What is the difference between Japanese and Chinese Acupuncture?
Japanese and Chinese Acupuncture both treat the body with Acupuncture needles, but their method of accomplishing the same goal of treating a given condition and improving health are quite different.
The needling styles are very different. In Japanese Acupuncture, the needle is inserted using a guide tube, and a special insertion technique insures that there is little or no sensation. Once the needle is inserted, there is usually no manipulation to elicit further sensation. A Japanese Acupuncture treatment consists of many insertions on most areas of the body, each point palpated (gently pressed) carefully before insertion. Each needle is only retained for several minutes before being removed. The treatment will typically last about one hour, with the acupuncturist actively performing the treatment the entire time.
In Chinese Acupuncture, the needle is inserted with little sensation, however the needle is manipulated gently to elicit a Qi sensation (see explanation above). A Chinese Acupuncture treatment will typically only consist of about 8 to 12 needles. The needles are generally retained for approximately 20 minutes, during which time the patient relaxes privately.
Both styles have their own advantages, and our clinic uses each style to its fullest advantage according to the situation and patient.
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 researching, classifying, and detailing 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.
In raw herb form, herbs are decocted (boiled) in a special clay pot for about thirty minutes and then taken as a tea. The tea may have a rather bitter taste at first, but most patients quickly adapt to the taste and in fact some patients begin to enjoy the taste. One cup of tea is taken per day.
In powder form, herbs are mixed with warm water to create a tea. When appropriate, herbal pills may also be prescribed."
How many treatments do I need to get better?
This will depend on you and the nature of your problem. Generally speaking, acute problems (problems with a short history) may be resolved quicker, while chronic problems may require more treatments.
Generally, one to two treatments per week is recommended for optimal results.
What Can Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Treat?
Before the introduction of western allopathic medicine into China, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine were used exclusively and effectively to treat the gamut of human disease in China. The World Health Organization and National Institutes of Health both recognize that Acupuncture can potentially treat many different ailments. Oriental Medicine is used to effectively treat a wide range of ailments including but not limited to the following:
- Pain syndromes (back, neck, headache, etc.)
- Stress, anxiety, and other emotional disorders
- Women's health issues (PMS, irregular menstruation, etc.)
- Allergies
- Hepatitis A, B, and C
- HIV care
- Fatigue
- Gastro-intestinal problems (indigestion, constipation, etc.)
- Insomnia
- Sexual dysfunction
- Colds and flu
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
Modern science has discovered that human beings are more than simply a mechanical assembly of different body parts, but that rather people are complex bio-energetic systems. When the energy flowing through our bodies becomes unbalanced or disturbed, the result is pain or illness. Acupuncture treatment helps restore the natural balance and flow of energy in the body, which in turn helps the body to heal itself, all without the use of drugs or surgery.
In an Acupuncture treatment, extremely fine and flexible needles are inserted painlessly at specific points in the body to help facilitate the flow of energy. These points are located on energetic pathways leading to the organs, muscles, and nerves of the body. An Acupuncture treatment may also include moxibustion therapy (heat therapy), mild electro-stimulation of needles, cupping (suction cups placed on the body to improve energy and blood flow), and medical massage.
Yes! Acupuncture has been clinically proven to be effective for many ailments and is recognized by the World Health Organization and National Institutes of Health for its potential to treat different disorders.
Herbal Medicine is an important branch of Oriental Medicine. Herbal Medicine has a history as long as Acupuncture, and the two are often combined synergistically to form a powerful combination to treat different ailments. The Oriental Medicine pharmacopoeia covers thousands of different herbs, each researched to incredible detail and shown to be effective and safe over thousands of years of clinical use. An herbal prescription typically consists of about 4 to 15 herbs that are combined for maximum therapeutic effect. (For more information on custom herbal prescriptions, click here .) Herbs are usually boiled in a clay pot and taken as a tea. Other herbal products include pills and powders.
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.