How long does a session take?
Usually, the first visit includes evaluation and assessment, it takes one and a half hours. The follow up acupuncture treatment will take 45 minutes while the follow up herbal counseling takes 30 minutes.
How many sessions should I expect to need for acupuncture treatment?
The number of treatment sessions varies depending on different health issues. When addressing pain management, it may take 1-6 sessions. For woman's health concerns, it usually takes 3 months to regulate menstruation. For chronic problems, such as cancer or autoimmune disease, you may need follow up for at least 6 months. Each case really needs to be evaluated in person at the clinic.
What should I wear for the treatment?
Wearing loose, comfortable clothes is preferable to expose the affected part of the body easily.
Does acupuncture hurt?
No. Most patients often do not even feel the insertion of the needles. At most, you may feel a brief pinch when needles go in. Acupuncture needles are typically not much thicker than a hair. After the needles are put in, there is generally a dull or heavy sensation along with other possible sensations including soreness, twitching, fullness, movement of energy in the meridian, and/or warmth or coolness at the point where the needle is inserted. These feelings are not painful; they are the reactions the practitioner expects and indicate a good effect. Most people find acupuncture extremely relaxing so much that many fall asleep during their treatment and remark that they leave the clinic feeling calm, collected and grounded.
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Can acupuncture spread serious disease?
No, it won't as long as disposable needles are use. It used to be reported that bacterial infections, hepatitis B and C, and possibly even HIV are being transmitted via acupuncture through the use of contaminated needles. But It is rarely seen now, because disposable needles are recommended for all acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture board of California mandates that only disposable needles should be utilized by practitioners, including those working in public health facilities treating chemical dependency.
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Are there any safety concerns or side effects?
1. Relatively few complications from using acupuncture have been reported. The most commonly seen are soreness, bruising, or muscle twitching. These usually correct themselves in 24 hours to 7 days.
2. After an acupuncture treatment, other commonly seen side effects are dizziness, and/or tiredness, unusual headaches, and occasionally, a significant emotional release. They usually will be gone in 24-48 hours after a good night’s sleep. Most of the time these are physical and we will keep a close eye on what happens.
3. When you go for treatment with low blood sugar, dizziness may happen more often. Please make sure you don't go to an acupuncture session with an empty stomach.
4. Though it rarely occurs, severe complications have resulted from improper delivery of treatments. Make sure to check the credentials of the practitioner.
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