Q - Does Acupuncture hurt?
A - Upon the initial needle insertion, some sensation may be felt. Acupuncture should not be
painful as the needles are significantly thinner than hypodermic needles. About 40 acupuncture
needles can fit into the tip of one standard 18-gauge hypodermic needle, just to give a bit of
perspective. There are some areas of the body that are a bit more sensitive than others,
however generally it is not more than a quick little prick. During the retention time of the
needles, it is normal to feel a sensation of slight pressure or simply an awareness of their
presence. Any discomfort with a needle should be communicated to your acupuncturist
immediately so that the needle can be adjusted and discomfort eliminated.
 

Q - Is Acupuncture safe?
A - Acupuncture is extremely safe when performed by a well-trained, professional, licensed
acupuncturist. We use sterile, individually packaged, disposable needles to eliminate the
possibility of infection.
 

Q - How does Acupuncture work?
A - Modern Biomedicine cannot yet explain exactly how acupuncture works, however both
biomedicine and Chinese Medicine agree that balance is crucially important to one’s health and
wellness. In biomedicine this balance is called homeostasis. Any imbalance can result in pain,
disease, injury, insomnia, autoimmune conditions, digestive issues, stress, gynecological
disorders, allergies, depression, frequent colds, etc. Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
operate on the premise that the free flow of Qi (the vital energy of the body) is essential for
health and wellness. Qi should flow freely through channels in the body that resemble the
nervous, lymphatic, and circulatory systems. Acupuncture balances the Qi by moving it from
where it is stagnant and directing it to where it is deficient. There is a saying in Chinese “If there
is Qi stagnation, there is pain; if there is free flow, there is no pain”. Acupuncture reestablishes
the free flow of Qi restoring balance in the body. This sets the stage for the body to repair and
heal itself and maintain its own optimal health. From a biomedical perspective, research has
shown that acupuncture treatment triggers different physiological responses, such as:

●  Affecting both the brain’s short and long-term ability to reduce pain sensation.
●  Increasing blood circulation and producing beneficial changes in blood pressure;
    decreasing cholesterol and triglycerides.
●  Increase peristalsis in the stomach and regulate digestive fluids, thus improving digestion.
●  Increasing the availability of receptors in the brain that process and weaken pain signals.
●  Regulating and stimulating serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is directly related to sleep,
    appetite, and moods.
●  Regulating blood sugar metabolism, which helps the body use energy more efficiently.
●  Stimulating the immune system and increasing white blood cells, which defend the body
    against infection.

Q - Is there anything I should know for my first appointment?
A - For your first appointment, be sure to wear loose fitted, comfortable clothing and eat
something light 1-2 hours beforehand. Avoid treatment when excessively hungry, full, or
intoxicated. Your first appointment will last about an hour and a half with all follow-up
appointments lasting one hour. The first portion of the appointment will be a detailed interview
and assessment as we discuss the main reason for your visit along with a review of your
present and past health history. Your pulse will be checked and tongue examined for diagnostic
purposes. You will then be asked to relax on the treatment table for the acupuncture treatment
in which the needles will be retained for about 20 minutes. There may be a heat lamp, music,
and dim lighting. It is very relaxing and most patients fall asleep for a restorative power nap.
The benefits of acupuncture are felt immediately. After your first treatment you can expect to
experience an excellent night of sleep, higher energy, more focus, less stress and a reduction of pain.

Q - What should I do while receiving acupuncture?
A - Rest and relax. Ask your acupuncturist any questions that may come up along the way. Do
NOT change your position, move suddenly or get up off the treatment table with the needles still
in you. If you are uncomfortable or need anything, inform your acupuncturist.

Q - How often do I need to come for treatment?
A - The number and frequency of treatments is determined on a case by case basis and
depends on the severity and duration of symptoms as well as your basic level of health.
Typically acupuncture treatments are given 1-3 times per week. Usually treatments are
performed more frequently the first few weeks of a treatment plan. The frequency of treatments
may be reduced as wellness is restored. Average cases require 6-8 treatments to resolve while
more complicated and chronic cases can require 10+ treatments to resolve. We recommend
that all patients come in at least monthly for a tune-up/maintenance treatment that serves more
as a preventative treatment that keeps everything balanced and prevents exacerbation's.

Q - What should I expect after treatment?
A - Patients often experience dramatic results after the first treatment. Some patients
experience an immediate partial or total relief of symptoms. This relief may be permanent or
temporary as some pain or symptoms may return after a few days. Some patients experience
gradual relief over time and improvement in quality of sleep, mood, energy level and a general
improved state of wellbeing. Overall, you should expect to feel better.

Q - Do you treat children?
A - Absolutely! We treat children of any age with excellent results.

Q - Do you have to be licensed to practice acupuncture?
A - Yes. The state of NY has one of the strictest guidelines within the U.S to practice
acupuncture. It requires four years of graduate school and passing the New York State Board
Examinations to acquire a license. The L.Ac. Dipl.O.M. After my name stands for Licensed
Acupuncturist and Diplomate of Oriental Medicine.

Q - What does acupuncture treat?
A - Acupuncture is extremely successful in the treatment of a large variety of conditions. Both
the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recognize
acupuncture as an effective form of treatment of the following conditions:

1.  Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders
●  Dizziness
●  Earaches
●  Facial pain
●  Laryngitis
●  Rhinitis
●  Sinusitis
●  Tinnitus (ear ringing)
●  TMJ

2. Circulatory Disorders
● Angina Pectoris
● Arteriosclerosis
● Cold Hands and feet
● High cholesterol
● Hypertension
● Hypotension

3. Gastrointestinal Disorders
● Abdominal Pain
● Acid Regurgitation
● Biliary colic
● Colitis
● Constipation
● Dysentery
● Diarrhea
● Epigastralgia
● Food allergies
● GERD
● Indigestion
● Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
● Nausea and/or Vomiting
● Ulcers

4. Musculoskeletal Disorders
● Arthritis
● Auto-Immune Disorders
● Back Pain
● Carpal tunnel syndrome
● Dentistry related pain
● Fibromyalgia
● Frozen Shoulder
● Knee pain
● Neck pain
● Periarthritis of shoulder
● Postoperative pain
● Rheumatoid Arthritis
● Sciatica/Piriformis syndrome
● Sprain
● Tennis elbow

5. Psycho-Emotional and Neurologic Disorders
● Addiction
● Anxiety
● Bell’s Palsy
● Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
● Depression
● Headaches
● Insomnia
● Migraines
● Post-Stroke Paralysis
● Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
● Smoking Cessation
● Stress
● Trigeminal Neuralgia

6. Respiratory Disorders
● Allergies
● Asthma
● Bronchitis
● Colds and Flus
● Emphysema

7.  Urogenital/Gynecological Disorders
●  Cystitis
●  Dysmenorrhea (primary)
●  Infertility
●  Malposition of fetus
●  Menopausal syndrome
●  Menstrual irregularity
●  Morning sickness
●  Neurogenic Bladder
●  PMS
●  Prostatic Hypertrophy
●  Prostatitis
●  Renal Colic
●  Stress Incontinence

8. Other
●  Adverse reactions to Chemotherapy
●  Adverse reactions to Radiotherapy