QUESTIONS ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
What does a treatment feel like?
Reactions differ from person to person, even from treatment to treatment. Since the needles are very thin, while there often is a sensation when they are inserted, it is not the excruciating pain of a thick, hypodermic needle (for instance, the pain of a flu shot). Once the needles are placed, patients frequently feel a dullness or heaviness in the general areas of the needles, or they may feel energy moving through their meridians. There could be a nerve sensation, or tingling. Generally, people feel very relaxed, and may fall asleep. Even if one feels nothing at all, the acupuncture is working.
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All needles are sterile and disposable. Better Life Acupuncture practices Clean Needle Technique, which additionally requires swabbing the skin with alcohol before needle insertion.
How long does a treatment take?
The initial intake and treatment take 1.5 hours, and a regular session takes roughly an hour. This includes questioning as well as needling. Needle retention depends upon the treatment; it may last anywhere from five to 45 minutes. Please note that retention time relates to the technique, and does not correlate to efficacy.
How many treatments do I need?
The number of treatments depends upon the condition for which you are getting acupuncture, as well as the duration you have had the condition. For acute conditions, one may see lasting results after only a few treatments. For chronic conditions, it may take over a year for substantive progress. In both instances, one should feel a change after 10 sessions; this change should increase and stabilize over time. In your intake, we will discuss your condition, and formulate a plan for treatment together.
Why Classical Chinese Medicine?
Classical Chinese Medicine is a school of thought that is rooted in medical classics such as a the Nei Jing, Nan Jing and Shang Han Lun, all of which date to roughly 2,000 years ago. Classical Chinese Medicine recognizes seventy-four meridians, more than other schools of thought, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Moreover, because of this thorough access to the body, unlike TCM, it is a stand-alone modality that does not depend upon herbs to be effective.
One potential side effect is feeling faint, though this largely may be avoided by eating a small meal a few hours before your session. In some cases, you may get a bruise from a needle. If there is any bleeding, it is minimal and intentional (a drop or two or blood). In very rare instances, a person may puncture an organ; however, many precautions are taken against this, and the actual instances of this happening are negligible.
How should I prepare for my first visit?
Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete necessary paperwork. Be sure to eat the day of your treatment, preferably a small meal a few hours before your appointment. You may choose to wear loose, comfortable clothing, though this is not a requisite.
