Q: What is Oriental Medicine (OM) or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
A: Oriental Medicine (OM) or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive medical system that includes acupuncture, acupressure, herbs, exercise and nutrition. Unlike Western medicine which attempts to isolate and separate a disease from a person, OM or TCM emphasizes a holistic approach that treats the whole person.
Q: What is Acupuncture?
A: Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve function. This is done by inserting sterilized, stainless-steel needles (that are as fine as a human hair) into specific points located near or on the surface of the skin which have the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions in order to treat a wide variety of illnesses.
Q: What is Qi?
A: Qi(pronounced chee) is a life energy flowing through the body and basic foundation for Oriental medicine theory.Qi flows through the body on channels known as meridians that connect all of our major organs. According to Oriental medical theory, illness arises when the cyclical flow of Qi in the meridians becomes unbalanced or is blocked.
Q: What are the concepts of Yin and Yang? A: The concepts of Yin and Yang originate in ancient Chinese philosophy, which describes two primal opposing but complementary forces found in all things in the universe.Yin (receptive, feminine, dark, passive force) and Yang (creative, masculine, bright, active force) are descriptions of complementary opposites rather than absolutes. Yin and Yang are usually held in balance?as one increases, the other decreases. However, imbalances can occur and these imbalances will affect on your health.
Q: How does Acupuncture work?
A: According to the Oriental Medical theory, Acupuncture treatment can influence and balance Yin, Yang, and Qi by stimulating specific points on the body. From Western medical point of view, inserting the needles at Acupuncture points stimulates various sensory receptors that, in turn, stimulate nerves that transmit impulses to the hypothalamic-pituitary system at the base of the brain.
Q: What kind of problems can be treated by Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine? A: Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine are extremely successful in the treatment of many conditions. Many people try Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine as a "last resort" to serious and complex medical problems and find that it can help them when other treatments could not. The most common problems presented to an acupuncturist tend to be pain related conditions, such as arthritis, back, neck, knee and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and sciatica. However, Oriental Medicine is a complete medical system that is capable of diagnosing and successfully treating a wide range of conditions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the use of Acupuncture is recognized in the treatment of a wide range of common illnesses including:
·Bronchial asthma (Most effective in children and uncomplicated conditions.)
ØNeurologic and Musculoskeletal Disorders
·Headache and Migraine
·Trigeminal Neuralgias
·Facial Palsy (early stage, i.e., within 3-6 months)
·Pareses Following a Stroke
·Peripheral Neuropathies
·Sequelae of Poliomyelitis (early stage, i.e., within 6 months)
·Meniere's Disease
·Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction
·Nocturnal Enuresis (bedwetting)
·Intercostal Neuralgia
·Cervicobrachial Syndrome
·Frozen Shoulder
·Tennis Elbow
·Sciatica
·Low Back Pain
·Osteoarthritis
·Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
·Back and Knee Pain
·Fibromyalgia
·Chronic Fatigue
·Sports Injuries and Pains
ØReproductive & Gynecological Conditions
·Premenstrual Syndrome
·Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps)
·Spotting and Excessive Bleeding
·Amenorrhea (Loss of Menstrual Period)
·Impotence
·Infertility
·Incontinence
·Prostatis
ØMental Emotional Problems
·Stress
·Anxiety
·Depression
·Insomnia
Q: How many treatments will be necessary?
A: The length, number and frequency of treatments will vary from person to person depending on the conditions being treated, your age and health, and how you respond to acupuncture. However, a positive response to acupuncture treatments is generally seen after the first to fourth treatment. Speaking of the frequency, it is common for treatments to be scheduled one or two times a week in the beginning to obtain optimal response and then once every other week.
Q: Are acupuncture needles painful?
A: Acupuncture needles are 25-50 times thinner than a hypodermic needle,so there is very little sensation when the needles are inserted. You may experience a brief moment of discomfort as the needle penetrates the skin that can be followed by a mild sensation of cramping, tingling, numbness, traveling warmth, or heaviness, which are positive signs of arrival of Qi at the acupuncture points.
Q: What are the abbreviations after your name?
A: L.Ac. means Licensed Acupuncturist. In order to offer acupuncture treatment, every acupuncturist needs to obtain the licensure in each state. M.A.O.M. means Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and Dipl. O.M. means Diplomate in Oriental Medicine of NCCAOM (National Certificate Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). If you are interested in the Chinese herbal treatment, it is recommended to see the acupuncturist who has Dipl. O.M. or Dipl. C.H.(Diplomate in Chinese Herbology). Diplomate in Oriental Medicine includes both Diplomate in Acupuncture and Diplomate in Chinese Herbology.
Q: Are acupuncture needles reused?
A: No. All of the acupuncture needles are sterilized and packaged individually. Each needle is used only for one acupuncture point and used only once. After the treatment, all of the used needles are disposed as medical wastes.