Acu Qs

You’ve got some Q’s? Here are the A’s!

  • Why use acupuncture?

    Acupuncture can help with pretty much everything: allergies, pain, scars, arthritis, post-surgical care, digestion, fertility, insomnia, PMS, and more!

    It’s minimally invasive with minimal side effects and positive change can happen in as little as 4 weekly treatments.

    Acupuncture also works as a great complementary treatment if you’re already seeing a chiropractor or physical therapist.

  • Why use Chinese Medicine?

    Chinese Medicine approaches your health differently than modern medicine. While the techniques themselves date back thousands of years, they’ve stood the test of time and still prove effective; it has been used together with modern medicine in China and Taiwan for decades and is even used as a primary form of care.

    Chinese Medicine offers a holistic treatment approach that is tailored specifically to your Chinese Medicine diagnosis to get to the root of the problem faster and with precision.

  • What can I expect during my appointment?

    At your first appointment, you can expect an interview regarding your health history and your primary reason for seeking acupuncture. Some questions you aren’t normally asked may come up (e.g. Can you describe the texture of your bowel movements? Can you give detailed information about your menstrual cycle?). If you don’t know how to answer them, no worries! We can answer them when you do know. Once we have as much information as we need, you will be able to be given a Chinese Medicine diagnosis.

    In every appointment you can expect to be needled, so it is highly recommended to wear light or loose clothing or to bring a change of clothes where your arms, legs, and back are easily accessible. We can provide linens for your comfort, but keep in mind that they cannot be placed on top of needles.

    If your particular diagnosis requires additional treatments, those will be performed as well.

  • Will it hurt?

    Acupuncture needles are still needles which means you could still feel pain when they’re inserted, but they’re very thin — about the width of a hair from your head — and they’re solid unlike a hypodermic needle for a blood draw.

    We use various sized needles to provide the best care with minimal pain, but if your condition requires a little extra work, there could be some discomfort to work through to reach your goals.

    Manual therapies such as tui na may also cause discomfort as it is meant to restore Qi flow through the affected area rather than promote relaxation. If at any time the discomfort becomes too much, we can use less force or switch to a different form of treatment.

  • I'm scared of needles. Can I still come in?

    Sure! Remember that acupuncture is just one part of Chinese Medicine and, that in place of needles, we can use tools for acupressure. There are also other treatments you can receive.

  • Can my child receive acupuncture?

    Yes! Children over the age of 8 can receive acupuncture. The only differences are that the needle insertion is very shallow and they are quickly removed after.

    Children under the age of 8 can still come in and receive treatment, but only acupressure and shoni shin tools will be used.

  • Isn't this just dry needling?

    No.

    Dry needling is performed on tight muscles and the needles are strongly manipulated to cause a muscle release. Absolutely no acupuncture or Chinese Medicine theory is involved. It can be done by chiropractors and physical therapists after a short training period.

    Acupuncture uses acupuncture channels and points as well as Chinese Medicine theory to work with the energetics of the body. Needles are, at most, gently manipulated to encourage Qi and blood to the point being used. Acupuncture can only be done those who have completed a Master’s level program, performed 1000+ hours of clinical training, and passed the NCCAOM Board Examinations.

  • Is this the same as medical acupuncture?

    No.

    Medical acupuncture is performed for much of the same reasons as dry needling. It can be done by MDs and DOs after a short training period. No acupuncture theory or Chinese Medicine theory is involved.

    Acupuncture uses acupuncture channels and points as well as Chinese Medicine theory to work with the energetics of the body. Needles are, at most, gently manipulated to encourage Qi and blood to the point being used. Acupuncture can only be done those who have completed a Master’s level program, performed 1000+ hours of clinical training, and passed the NCCAOM Board Examinations.

  • Can you be my primary doctor?

    The short answer is no.

    The long answer is that only a select few states allow a Chinese Medicine Doctor to be a primary care provider, and Delaware is not one of them. We are more than happy to provide complementary care for whatever ails you, and we will certainly work with your primary doctor to coordinate and provide the highest quality care.

  • How often should I receive treatment?

    The answer to this varies based on your treatment goals. The effects of acupuncture are cumulative, so it is recommended that you come in at least once a week at the start of treatment regardless of diagnosis. In most cases, we will front-end treatment with twice weekly or once weekly appointments for 3-4 weeks, then taper down to once every 2 weeks until improvement appears to be holding, and then taper down to again to once monthly for maintenance.

    However, this is not true for all cases; there is no one-size-fits-all approach in Chinese Medicine. A more detailed plan will be made after you have been fully evaluated and had your first treatment.

Have a different question?

Submit your question here, give us a call, or send us a text.

We will gladly help you out.