DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT?
Sometimes you will feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted, but often you don't feel the needle insertion at all. The sensations that each patient feels vary greatly. Some common sensations experienced are: warmth, tingling, electrical type sensation, heaviness in the needle area. If you are experiencing any discomfort from a needle, you must tell me right away so that I can reposition it. Most people find it very relaxing and often doze off during a treatment.
IS IT SAFE?
- Regarding acupuncture: Yes, the needles are sterile and are only used one time before they are disposed of and incinerated. I am well-trained in anatomy and physiology in addition to TCM and know where and to what depth to insert the needles safely.
- Regarding herbs: The herbs I use comply with strict FDA standards and do not cause any detrimental side effects. I am well-trained in using them in conjunction with Western medications. There are very few herbs that interact negatively with medications, and I make sure not to prescribe them to a patient when such a risk exists.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
The number of treatments needed depends on the individual, the condition being treated, and how long since the onset of the condition. You may only need 1-3 sessions to treat something that came on suddenly and recently or even some long-standing musculoskeletal or neurological conditions. The most common course of treatment is 6-10 weekly visits. Chronic conditions may require periodic maintenance after the initial series.
WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE TREAT?
The list of ailments treated is huge. The
WHO lists over 100 conditions scientifically shown to benefit from this medicine, and for 28 of these "acupuncture has been proved – through controlled trials – to be an effective treatment." The WHO's findings are not inclusive. Here is a brief list of my own:
- Common cold/flu
- Seasonal allergies
- Sinusitis
- Hypertension
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Stroke recovery
- Back/neck/shoulder pain
- Headaches
- Infertility
- PMS/menstrual irregularities
- Menopausal syndrome
- Frequent urination
- Anxiety/stress
- Insomnia
IS IT COVERED BY INSURANCE?
Unfortunately, most insurance policies in the commonwealth of Virginia do NOT cover acupuncture and TCM, but I can give you a receipt to submit for reimbursement. The more requests the insurance companies get, the more quickly this will change. Flex spending policies DO cover all of my services. If payment is the only thing holding you back from getting the treatment you need to be well and functional again, please talk to me. We can probably work something out.
