Q: How does acupuncture work?
A: In Chinese medicine, diseases or illnesses are caused by a blockage or unbalanced energy (qi). Acupuncture stimulates certain points on the body that are connected through meridians (channels) and are associated with all the different organs. These points are used to regulate, balance or increase the flow of the body’s natural energy.
Q: Does acupuncture hurt?
A: Generally, when the needles are inserted, it is painless. Sensations may range from feeling a small pinch to numbness, tingling, very slight soreness, or no sensation at all.
Q: How deeply are needles inserted?
A: This depends on the Acupuncture point that is needled. Generally, in the range of 1/4 of an inch to 1 inch.
Q: How many treatments are necessary?
A: Each case is different. It depends also on whether the condition is acute or chronic, or if treatment is solely preventative. Chronic issues tend to need more treatments, while acute issues tend to need fewer treatments that may be spaced closer together.
Q: When should I feel better?
A: Usually after a treatment, there is some improvement felt either immediately or in the days following. For some cases it may take 2 or 3 treatments in order to feel an improvement. Generally, chronic cases need a longer treatment series, while acute cases need a shorter treatment series.
