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Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture

"I was so scared of trying acupuncture but was nicely surprised that there was no pain at all. Why is this?"

Oftentimes, people do not even know that the session has begun - they often do not feel the needles. When they do feel them, it is usually a brief, passing bug-bite feeling or sometimes an ache. These sensations are transient. The pain that is most often encountered is when we are treating muscle pain - we will sometimes allow a dull ache, similar to the sensation felt when receiving a massage - the "good pain" that people talk about when you have gotten the right spot. Oftentimes I hear a sigh of relief when we get that point. From there the pain often subsides to the point where there is not pain at all felt during the session - even if they came into my office with a pain level of 10 (on a scale of 1-10). When I worked in an acute pain management clinic in L.A., acupuncture sessions were the only time that many of these patients felt no pain from their injuries.

However, contrary to popular belief, acupuncture provides much more than just pain relief!

Click any of the frequently asked questions about acupuncture questions to read the answers.

General Common Questions

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What is Acupuncture?: Acupuncture is a healing method handed down to us from ancient China. It involves the insertion of hair thin, filoform needles into prescribed points throughout the body. Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

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What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?: TCM refers to the whole body of traditional Chinese Medical Knowledge and practices. Besides acupuncture, these practices include Chinese herbal medicine, Chinese medical massage, Qi Gong (or Chinese therapeutic yoga/exercise meditation), dietary therapy, and exercise therapy. Chinese medicine is a holistic medicine and uses every tool available to promote health and healing.

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What does "health" mean in TCM?: Health means the same thing in TCM as in Western medicine; however it is looked at in a wider manner than we are accustomed to in the West. TCM views the entire person as an interconnected web, in which all parts must be healthy and balanced for true health to be present.

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Can acupuncture help when other treatments have failed?: Yes. Each medical system has its own strengths, and TCM may work where other treatments have shown little success.

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Can acupuncture help senior citizens?: Yes. Acupuncture can help people of all ages, but the elderly particularly appreciate the help it can provide with insomnia, improved circulation, improved mental clarity, and reduction of blood pressure. Stroke patients also benefit greatly for eliminating or reducing paralysis- the earlier the better after diagnosis.

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Can acupuncture be used with children?: Yes. In fact, children typically respond very well to acupuncture. It is very popular for all childhood illnesses, and particularly popular for the treatment of asthma.

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Can I continue taking my regular medicine while receiving acupuncture?: Yes. Acupuncture is used in conjunction with other medical care to great advantage. It can be used for help with pain relief, healing the body with less reliance on other medications, or for reducing the side-effects of other drugs.

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Can acupuncture be used for the treatment of sports or work related injuries?: Yes, again. Acupuncture is one of the best ways to treat these injuries available. It can both speed healing and ease the pain.

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Can acupuncture treat traumatic injuries?: Yes, absolutely! However, it is recommended that you first be examined at the hospital after any accident for the screening of immediate major risks.

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Is acupuncture covered by insurance? ( Blue cross acupuncture)

Yes, I take Blue Cross (I am a Blue Cross Provider) if your plan covers it. Call the number on your card to see if your plan covers acupuncture.

For other insurance companies, I can help you to bill as an "out-of-network" provider, and none of my patients have had any problems getting reimbursed, provided their plan covers acupuncture.

Health insurance is slowly covering acupuncture more and more. Please encourage your company to add an acupuncture ryder to your plan. it is inexpensive for them to do so and your whole company will be so much healthier and happier.

Benefits of Acupuncture Treatments