Frequently Asked Questions

Are acupuncture needles reused?… No, all modern acupuncturists use sterile, disposable, single-used needles. Our brand of choice is Seirin needles from Japan. We use Seirin needles because they are the highest quality surgical stainless needles on the market, and they provide the most comfort for our patients.

Are acupuncture and dry needling the same?… Dry needling (made popular by physical therapists) is a style of acupuncture that releases trigger points (knotted muscles in the body), with a very specific and aggressive technique. In our clinic, we can employ dry needling technique if needed. However, we find that we seldom have to use this technique because we are able to release the tight muscles with other styles of acupuncture that are more gentle.

Does acupuncture hurt?… We use very thin needles, probably the thinnest in the city, compared to most clinics. Combined with our experience and gentle techniques, most patients do not have an issue with the acupuncture treatment.

What does acupuncture do to the body?… Acupuncture affects the body in many different ways. One of the main functions of acupuncture is to direct energy and blood flow to the diseased areas and organs to promote healing. Acupuncture can also help relax tight muscles and tendons in the body to release pain and free up stuck energy. It can also relax the nervous system, to help with depression and anxiety. And because you become more relaxed, acupuncture helps you conserve your energy which is used for your healing. Acupuncture can also improve digestive function to absorb nutrients more efficiently from your foods. Essentially, for you to heal quickly and completely, you need a surplus of energy and blood flow directed to your diseased area.

Even though acupuncture helps free up stuck energy, acupuncture itself does not directly add more energy to your body. To achieve that, in some cases, we add electricity with acupuncture to provide your body with more energy. Every single cell in your body requires a spark of energy, a small voltage, to regenerate. We also stress the need for proper food therapy and herbal supplements to add more energy and nutrients to the body, so that the body has a higher potential to heal rapidly.

Where are acupuncture needles placed?… Acupuncture needles are usually NOT placed in the diseased areas. Instead, we strategically place needles in an area that can affect the diseased areas. It is like turning on the lights in the room. We seldom touch the light bulb. We activate the switch and the lights turn on.

Why are there acupuncture needles in the ear?… Many times we use ear points to calm the nervous system. We have often used the five needle protocol (5 needles on the ear) to treat addictions and cravings. In addition, the ear is a microcosm of the whole body. It is like foot reflexology. By pressing a specific spot on the bottom of the foot, it can cause a response in a specific region or organ of the body. The ear can represent the entire body just like the foot. In fact, the ear, the foot, the hand, the scalp, the abdomen, the face are all microsystem that can represent the entire body. We often incorporate this concept in our treatments.

Can acupuncture help with nerve damage?…Yes. Most nerve damage comes from a lack of energy and/or inflammation of the nerve cells. We use electro-acupuncture (acupuncture with electricity), dialed in at a specific frequency, to reduce inflammation and produce endorphins (your natural pain killers). Many times we will treat your spine with electro-acupuncture for this function. This style is called the Craig PENS (percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) approach, named after Dr. William Craig, MD. This style of acupuncture, combined with proper food therapy and herbal supplementation can heal many nerve damage cases.

What acupressure points help with headaches?… Most acupressure points for headaches are on the hands and feet. The inner heels of your feet are also highly effective acupressure points for your head. We have treated countless headaches, migraine, concussion, and bell’s palsy cases to know that the ankles, wrists, hands and feet are great reflex points for the head. Our goal is to teach you the acupressure points, as we treat you with acupuncture. The more acupressure you can apply for yourself at home, the faster your healing will take place.

Will acupuncture help with sciatica?… Yes. Acupuncture is exceptional at helping sciatic cases. Of course there are some stubborn chronic cases that will take some time and effort to respond, but if you are willing to implement changes in lifestyle and diet and get frequent treatments, improvements will start to take hold. The most common acupressure points to release sciatica, include massaging out the shoulder blades (small intestine 11), and the tendons of the palms (lung 10, pericardium 8, heart 8). Again, our goal is to teach while we treat. Once you are able to do a lot of acupressure at home, your healing will take hold.

We also recommend specific exercises to help you heal. Most modern exercises, if done in excess, tend to deplete the body’s energy stores, so finding the right balance for you is key. The exercises we recommend are gentle and does not tax your body. These exercises will help you become more sensitive to your own energy and help you harness more energy for healing.

What conditions can acupuncture and Chinese medicine help with?… please see our Conditions page and read our Disclaimer. We help with various conditions including: Allergies, Arthritis, Anxiety, Autoimmune Conditions, Back Pain, Bell’s Palsy, Bursitis, Cancer Support, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Chron’s Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic Pain, Concussion, Depression, Diabetes, Eczema, Endometriosis, Fibromyalgia, Frozen Shoulders, Gastritis, Gout, Herniated Discs, Hair Loss, Hot Flashes, Irregular Menstruation, Infertility, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Migraines, Neuropathy, Plantar Fasciitis, PCOS, Sciatica, Shingles, Thyroid Disease, TMJ Disorder, Vertigo, Whiplash Injury.