Acupuncture Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is acupuncture?
A: Acupuncture was developed over 2000 years ago in China. It implies the
use of a network of energy (for lack of a better word) that is still just
being described in medical science. Yet, its’ success is comparable in
many ways to what is offered by the best of medical science today.
Q: How does acupuncture work?
A: The network of energy flows through channels in our body like subways
flow through the ground. The acupuncture points are like subway stops where
energy can get on or off.
Q: Does acupuncture hurt?
A: There are several different kinds of approaches that we use with
acupuncture these days. Among my favorites are the non-needle
techniques of acupressure, acupressure stimulators (little vibrator-like
devices) and both the cold & "hot" lasers.
Even acupuncture with needles does not hurt most of the time. Yet, some points can
hurt, but not in the same way as a shot. When acupuncture hurts it is a
feeling similar to that of being stung by a mosquito. In other words, it may
sting for a second, but that should go away as quickly as it came on. If it
ever continues to hurt, alert your acupuncturist and they will make the pain
go away!
Q: Does Acupuncture work right away?
A: Sometimes. There are usually 4 different responses to acupuncture:
All Better: This 100% one time cure occurs in only about 2-3% of
cases.
Different: This occurs 75% of the time after acupuncture. While you
may feel a bit different afterwards, the subtle energy that is activated
with the treatment progresses and over the next few days the change may be
profound.
No Different: This occurs in about 20% of cases. This may not mean a
whole lot because a treatment may take 24-48 hours to activate a change.
Also, one can make the analogy that an acupuncture treatment is like filling
a bath tub by the bucket. The first bucket does not feel like much, but
after you add 3-4 more buckets it starts to feel pretty good.
Worse: This is not a bad thing and only happens to 2-3% of patients.
It usually means that we are on the right track, but have to change our
approach a bit.
Q: What kinds of problems does acupuncture treat?
A: Acupuncture’s development in China parallels medicine’s development
in the U.S., but it happened a long time prior to our system of medical
care. Therefore, it was developed to treat the same host of problems that
medicine treats today.
Q: Is there anything special I have to do after a
treatment?
A: Traditionally there are 3 things that you must do after a treatment.
First, it is best to take it easy for the next 24 hours (no heavy exercise
or lifting). Second, it is recommended to avoid excessive sweets (bamboo
shoots). Lastly, no sex for 6 hours after acupuncture (certainly no
extremely vigorous sexual activity for 24 hours).
Q: How often will I need to be treated?
