Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs

Acupuncture needles are very thin, solid and are made from stainless steel only for a single use. The point is smooth (not hollow with cutting edges like a hypodermic needle) and insertion through the skin is not painful like injection or blood sampling. If any sensation is experienced during insertion, it is often compared to a mosquito bite and disappears very quickly. Once the needles are inserted, they will be manipulated to obtain sensation, which in acupuncture terminology is called "De Qi". "De Qi" is the term used for the sensation felt when an acupuncturist (or acupressure practitioner) reaches the level of "Qi" in the body. This sensation may feel like distention or throbbing or an electrical impulse in the area of the acupoint being addressed. Often the sensation radiates down the meridian being addressed. Once the sensation is felt and Qi has been reached, the acupuncturist will leave the needle in place and the sensation will fade. This is how an acupuncturist engages the energy in your body in order to help balance it. Some people may not like this sensation. That is why some acupuncturists never manipulate the needles. Due to my personal experience, people who feel "De Qi" sensation usually have better results compared to the people who do not. 

Generally, the treatments are pretty safe. It is quite common with the first couple of treatments to have a sensation of deep relaxation or even mild disorientation immediately following the treatment. These pass within a short time, and never require anything more than a bit of rest to overcome.

For acute conditions you may only need a few treatments and for chronic problems you may need a few months of treatment. In China, people go to the acupuncture clinic every other day. 10 treatments constitutes one course of treatment.  Instead of asking how many treatments do I need like most Americans, people in China will ask how many courses of treatment do I need. Due to various reasons, in the US, most of patients have one treatment every week. Please keep in mind, acupuncture is not a miracle cure, nor a "quick fix". It is addressing the underlying cause of a problem rather than fixing a symptom, therefore it takes time to have an effect. You may experience immediate results, especially if the problem is not too chronic, but you may not notice any progress until later in the course of treatment. It requires a trust and an acceptance of the process.  When treating women's health issues, related to menstruation, generally it is best to treat through three complete cycles.

Many people see acupuncture as a last resot to be tried when all else fails. They do not realize TCM is a relatively complete healthcare system that treat a wide range of ailments. In many cases it should be the first thing to try, not the last. I generally tell my patients that if you do not feel any relief after having three treatments for acute conditions or six treatments for chronic conditions, then perhaps you and I are not a good fit and you should try another acupuncturist.

Initial visit will take one hour, which includes a detailed intake process, as well as a 30 min acupuncture treatment. We encourage you to download the intake forms and fill them out prior to your first visit. Follow-up visits usually take about 45 min, depending on the condition treated.

Most of the acupuncture points I use are located on the arms and legs. Therefore, for a lot of conditions it is only necessary to roll up your pants and sleeves, provided the clothes are loose enough.

There are several distinctive styles of acupuncture practice. Traditional Chinese Acupuncture is by far the most common system of acupuncture taught and practiced in North America today. Korean acupuncture, for example, primarily uses points on the hand, while Japanese acupuncture calls for fewer and finer needles inserted at shallower depths.

I parctice Master Tung style acupuncture.

The effect of single acupuncture treatment could last for about two to three days. For those who come to the clinic on a weekly basis, the treatment would be much better when one tries Chinese herbs at the same time, because herbs give your body a continuous benefit to resolve the problems. For the people who really hate to take herbs, I normally would suggest them to come twice a week for treatment in the begining.

In the hands of experienced Chinese Medicine practitioners, Chinese herbs are very potent and safe. In the clinic we use herbs of the highest potency, quality, and safety; only herbs from manufacturers' that are certified by the Therapeutic Goods Administration of the Australian government as having Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) - a hygiene guideline even more strict than in the United States. The most commonly reported adverse reaction is minor gastrointestinal upset. Modifying the herbal formula or adding herbs to strengthen the digestive system can remedy this. If you notice any side effects, please stop taking the herbs and consult your practitioner right away.  For more information about the safety of Chinese herbs, take a look this book .

I use herbs in powder form and bulk form.

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