What is acupuncture?
Does acupuncture really work?
What problems can be treated by acupuncture?
Is acupuncture useful in treating addictions?
How deep do the needles go?
What are the needles like? Are they clean?
Does it hurt?
How many treatments will I need?
Cost?
Do you accept insurance or file insurance claims?

Q. What is acupuncture?
A. Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points shown as effective in the treatment of specific health problems. These points have been mapped by the Chinese over a period of more than 2,500 years.

Q. Does acupuncture really work?
A. Acupuncture has been practiced successfully in many cultures for thousands of years. More people in the world have been treated with acupuncture than any other modality and it is gaining popularity among American patients and physicians. Scientific and anecdotal evidence both point to its efficacy and it is increasingly being regarded as a "mainstream" modality in the U.S. Although a positive attitude on the patient's part is helpful, as with any course of treatment, you don't have to believe in acupuncture for it to work. Acupuncture is used successfully on animals in veterinary settings .

Q. What problems can be treated by acupuncture?
A. The World Health Organization considers acupuncture appropriate for treating a number of conditions, including:

• Digestive disorders: gastritis and hyperacidity, spastic colon, constipation, diarrhea, hiccups, chronic duodenal ulcers
• Ear and respiratory disorders: deafness, tinnitus, earache, sinusitis, nasal inflammation or dryness, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, recurrent chest infection.
• Toothaches, pain after extraction
• Neurological and muscular disorders: headaches, migraines, facial tics, certain facial paralysis, partial weakness after a stroke, inflammation of nerve endings, neck pain, rib neuritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, tendonitis, lower back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis
• Eye problems: poor eyesight (in children), inflammation of the conjunctiva, inflammation of the central retina, uncomplicated cataracts
• Reproductive, menstrual and urinary problems, including impotence and infertility, PMS and menopause-related problems

Acupuncture can be valuable in treating:

• Addiction
• Chronic fatigue
• Stress
• Strains and sprains
• Joint pain/osteoarthritis

Q. Is acupuncture useful in treating addictions?
A. In some cases, acupuncture can be useful in the treatment of addictions and dependencies especially in conjunction with other modalities. If you have questions about a particular situation, please feel free to contact us.

Q. How deep do the needles go?
A. That depends on the nature of the problem, the location of the points selected, and the patient's size, age and constitution. Usually the needles are inserted from 1/4 to 1 inch in depth.

Q. What are the needles like? Are they clean?
A. Acupuncture needles are very thin and solid and are made from stainless steel. The point is smooth (not hollow with a cutting edge like Western hypodermic needles) and insertion through the skin is nearly painless. The risk of bruising and skin irritation is much lower with an acupuncture needle than with a hollow needle.

The needles we use are pre-packaged, sterile, and disposed of immediately after use.

Q. Does it hurt?
A. Most people feel only minimal discomfort as the needles are inserted and some feel nothing at all. When the needle reaches the correct stimulus point, the patient should feel some cramping, aching, or tingling around the needle site. This discomfort is mild and should subside within a few minutes.

Q. How many treatments will I need?
A. The number of treatments varies according to the complaint and the person treated. For complex or long-standing conditions, one or two treatments per week for several months may be recommended. For acute conditions, only one to four treatments may be needed.

Q. Cost
The initial visit, which includes an in-depth holistic assessment and the first acupuncture treatment, is $200.
(Approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours)

Subsequent acupuncture treatments are $125 each.
(Approximately 1 to 1 1/4 hours)

Q. Do you accept insurance or file insurance claims?
We do not participate with any insurance carrier, including Medicare, and do not file insurance claims. Payment in full is due at the time of service. For your convenience we accept cash and checks.

For more information, see About acupuncture.