FAQs

 Acupuncture is one part of a comprehensive medical system called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and is a safe and effective medical procedure with minimal risks when performed by a licensed and accredited acupuncturist.

The Latin word “acus” means needle. Acupuncture needles are a FDA approved, Class II medical device, labeled for single use only, and are sterilized, hair thin, and flexible. Unlike hypodermic needles, there is no hole in the needle and no syringe is attached. Nothing is injected or withdrawn. They are made from stainless steel (sometimes gold or silver needles are used).

Acupuncture needles are gently inserted through the skin at specific points along pathways or meridians, and are generally retained for 15 to 30 minutes while the patient rests. Acupuncture needles are not inserted into nerves, by the way, as some people imagine. Believe it or not, acupuncture is very relaxing; often patients fall asleep or doze during their treatments.

Traditional Chinese Medicine references “meridians,” which are pathways or channels that are connected to each other within a closed circulation system. When a patient is in good health, the meridians are filled with an abundant amount of blood and qi. Overuse and overexertion will diminish the amount and flow of qi and blood.

There are approximately 365 acupuncture points on the body, located in 20 “regular” and “extraordinary” meridians, which course the body along the limbs, head, trunk, neck, back, hands and feet. They are said to be located just under the surface of the skin at the depth of the hair follicle. Although we cannot see a meridian, all cultures that practice acupuncture agree regarding location of the meridians and the points along the meridians. The meridians have been recorded and historically preserved through diagrams and writings for 100’s of centuries.

Qi is Chinese for energy! Many cultures use different words to describe the body’s energy. Qi (pronounced “chee”) refers to this vital life energy. This energy, or qi, circulates within the body’s meridians and allows us to move our limbs, digest food, breathe, circulate blood, form coherent speech, warm ourselves up/cool ourselves down, sense movement and feel emotions, to name a few examples of qi’s function in our bodies.

Qi can also be observed outside of us, in the forces of nature. It is the warmth of the sunshine, or the power of a thunderclap. Qi is in the air that we breathe and the food that we eat.

Qi sustains our lives and permeates all of our existence. In good health, qi ideally, flows freely through the meridians that course our bodies. When the flow of qi is impaired, pain and a myriad of other symptoms can appear. One of the goals in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine is to restore the flow of qi through the body as naturally as water flowing in a brook.

There is a “statement of fact” in Traditional Chinese Medicine: “Mai luo zhong qi xue bu he ze tong.” This translates to: “if qi and blood are not harmonious within the vessels and the connecting vessels, there is pain.”

When an acupuncturist inserts a needle into an acupuncture point on the selected meridian(s) they are using their qi and intention as a healer to access and guide the qi of their patient. Using an acupuncture needle to open a point on a meridian is like using a key to open a lock on a gate. I work very gently with patients, informing them as I go along as to what I am about to do next so one will feel comfortable and at ease, knowing what to expect at each insertion. My favorite question is: “Is it in yet?”

Acupuncture works by moving blood and qi. When blood moves, circulation improves. When qi moves, pain is relieved. When a combination of acupuncture points are appropriately selected by a trained TCM acupuncturist, we are using a complex system of TCM Differiential Diagnosis (gained through observation of your tongue, your pulse, and the collection of your specific symptoms gained from your health history and initial intake). That is why patients will often report that within a few treatments, other lesser symptoms/complaints the patient has learned to live with, are improved as well! This is because the whole body and all of its processes are being affected by acupuncture.