Acupuncture

What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the centuries old art of inserting solid needles into specific points in the body to restore and/or redirect the flow of Qi or Vital Energy.

How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture restores and redirects the flow of Qi to aid the natural healing processes of the body. Western medicine believes that the acupuncture needles stimulate the body’s nervous system to release endorphins, the body’s natural morphine-like substance.

Does acupuncture hurt?
You might experience a pinching sensation as the needle penetrates the skin, then you may feel pressure, heaviness, or nothing at all. Occasionally, there may be more sensation, but usually this will dissipate rapidly.

Is acupuncture safe?
Since January 2006, the use of reusable acupuncture needles has been illegal in the State of California. Acupuncturists use pre-packaged, sterile, single-use acupuncture needles. These needles are sharp enough to easily penetrate the skin with minimal discomfort, but will not cause tissue damage or pain beyond occasional minor discomfort.

How deep do the needles go in?
In the words of one of my acupuncture instructors, “Very depends.” It will very much depend on the location of the acupuncture point. Some locations like fingers, toes and the scalp, have very little flesh and the needles will be shallowly inserted Likewise, when points are near sensitive tissues or organs like on the chest, needles will be inserted at an angle to minimize the risk of accidental puncture. On larger body parts, like the thigh or the buttocks (especially for sciatic pain), longer needles may be used. The depth of needling will also depends on the acupuncturist; some practitioners prefer deep needling, while others prefer shallow needle techniques.

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How many needles will be used in a session?
Again, this varies by acupuncturist as well as the condition being treated. I keep my treatments fairly simple, usually no more than eight points or sixteen needles (most acupuncture points occur on both right and left sides of the body). When we insert needles, we give the body instructions, so I prefer not to give the body so many instructions that it gets confused.

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How long does a session last?
I like to spend time with my patients so that I can tailor the treatment to their circumstances. For a first session, I usually spend an hour and a half to two hours; ample time to fill out paperwork and a treatment. Follow-up visits are booked for an hour although the actual needling may take only 20-30 minutes. 

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Where can I find out more about acupuncture?
WebMD or the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine have easy-to-understand primers on both acupuncture and alternative medicine. In California, the State Acupuncture Board also has some good information, as well as information on acupuncturists and their license status. If you want more in depth information, Ted Kapchuk’s book, The Web That Has No Weaver is also a good resource.

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