Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does acupuncture work?

I have to be honest. Even after four years of “acupuncture school” I still can’t give a straight answer for this. All we know for sure is that over thousands of years, early acupuncturists found they would get specific results by stimulating certain points on the body with a needle. The fact that Eastern Medicine is much older than Western medicine yet is still in existence definitely says something.

Although I can’t provide one scientific answer, I can provide a few theories: 1) Acupuncture interacts with the nervous system; 2) In cases of pain, needles can be inserted locally (where the pain is). This creates a “micro-trauma” in the body, calling forth white blood cells to heal the area as well as endorphins (natural pain-killers). However, this theory does not explain why, for instance, if I’m treating shoulder pain I will almost always put a needle in your leg. Certain points don’t make sense; they just work.

How often should I get acupuncture?

I prefer to see you back one week after the initial treatment to see how your body responded; then we can discuss weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly treatments. Even if nothing is wrong, I still recommend a minimum of 4 treatments per year; timed with the changing of the seasons to stay balanced and healthy.

How long before I’m fixed?

Every person is different. Every treatment is different. General rule of thumb is one month of acupuncture for each year you have had the problem. You should see some type of change, although it may be subtle, after one treatment. Each subsequent treatment will add on to the last one.