Frequently Asked Questions
Does it hurt?
Acupuncture is pain free, there are some sensations felt on some points like tingling, warmth, heaviness or lightness around the point, this is normal and no cause for concern. Many people fall asleep during their treatment feeling very relaxed and free from worry.
What Happens in a Typical Visit?
If you are a bit nervous about trying out an Acupuncture session, don’t worry…you are not alone. Since Western medicine uses needles in a different (and sometimes painful) way, it is natural for us to imagine the pain of being needled.
In Western medicine, needles are used to inject medicine or to withdraw fluids from the body. The needles are hollow and the tip is beveled and sharpened so that it can cut the skin upon entry. In comparison to Acupuncture needles, Western needles are huge because the diameter needs to be large enough to transfer the thick fluids of the body.
Acupuncture needles are very thin and solid. They are not designed to cut the skin, but to displace the skin and stimulate areas beneath the skin. Needles are one time use only.
What are the diagnosis like?
Much like the first visit to a Western doctor, the visit starts with medical history forms. It is important to answer all questions accurately to assist the staff in evaluating your condition.
Acupuncture is part of “Traditional Chinese Medicine”, which is typically a more holistic approach than Western medicine, so questions which may seem unrelated to your reason for making the visit are often important to the diagnosis (questions about sleep habits, ability to tolerate heat and cold, current diet, etc.)
Then, using all of the information gathered from the diagnosis, the Acupuncturist will determine the “cause” of the symptoms that you have described (the reason for your visit). Needles will then be inserted into very specific acu-points that will help bring the body back into “homeostasis” or balance, thus removing the source of the symptoms.
Allow at least an hour for the first visit. The actual treatment will last around 30 to 40 minutes.
How many treatments do I need?
The number of treatments needed depends on the severity, length and nature of your health condition. 2-3 treatments are common for an acute condition. For chronic conditions 5-15 may be needed. Degenerative conditions may require continuous treatments over time. If you have tried Western medicine for many years with no progress, it may take more than a single visit to an Acupuncturist to see results.
Where can I find articles about acupuncture?