How
did acupuncture become known in the United States?
In 1971, when New York Times columnist James Reston reported in
some detail about how doctors in China had used needles to ease
his abdominal pain during and after emergency surgery.
What type of training does a legitimate, licensed acupuncturist
(L.Ac.) have?
1. As a health care professional, who has attended an accredited
university or college, and has earned a Master’s Degree
in TCM.
2. Has completed at least 3000 hours of classroom studies, including
intensive courses in the theory and practice of both (Western)
biomedicine and Oriental medicine, and at least 250 to 300 clinical
applications during an extended internship.
3. Has passed national examinations by the National Certification
Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and
met the strict guidelines of the State Licensing Board(s) in order
to practice.
4. Holds a valid CPR certification.
How does acupuncture feel? Does it hurt?
When the very fine needle penetrates the skin surface, you may
feel a little prick; when the needle eventually goes deeper, into
the muscle layer, you may feel some form of heaviness, a dull
ache, warmth, muscle twitching, tingling, or a radiating sensation.
When the practitioner manipulates the needles, you may notice
such sensations becoming stronger, but without a sharp pain. The
sensation you get from the needle is called “de Qi”,
which means your Qi has been activated, and you are benefiting
from the treatment. The sensation can feel different from point
to point, and from person to person, as well as from session to
session. In rare instances you may feel a burning pain when the
needle is first inserted; if this occurs you should tell your
acupuncturist, so that she can remove it from that spot -- which
might contain a hair follicle or, in still rarer instances, another
kind of structure (such as a vein) beneath the skin.
Are the needles sterilized?
Yes. We only use disposable needles. This means that each needle
is used only once.
What do I do before and after treatment?
Eat something before treatment to avoid lightheadedness or other
discomfort; however, do not overeat nor eat right before the treatment;
try to avoid alcohol and caffeine for four hours prior to treatment;
for purposes of accurate diagnosis, avoid perfume and heavy makeup
and scraping of the tongue; but wear loose, comfortable clothing
and allow ample time to reach the treatment venue; avoid rushing
and other stressful situations.
What is included in one session of treatment and how long
does it last?
Preliminary consultation – detailed intake
about current and past medical history, medications, life style,
habits, emotional state.
Physical exam – of pulse and tongue; palpations,
and, if suggested by the situation, examination of heart sounds
or blood pressure, or lungs or other affected sites.
Evaluation – based on the intake and assessment,
we make our diagnosis in TCM terms, leading to a concept
and plan of treatment.
Treatment -– acupuncture, herbal supplement(s),
and cupping or Tui Na will be prescribed and implemented accordingly.
Suggestions and patient’s “homework”
– may include suggestions for nutritional and dietary changes
and exercise(s).
The entire treatment may last from 45 to 75 minutes.
The number of treatments varies from person to person. Generally
speaking, therapy for acute conditions is shorter than for chronic
ones. In Chinese medicine, as originally and still practiced in
China, the modalities and duration of treatment differ according
to the nature and severity of the disorders. Practitioners may
set a course of six to ten daily treatments to begin with. After
the first course, the patient will rest for a week, after which
the next course begins. The two courses may, however, require
treatments only every other day, or even less frequently; the
plan is indeed formulated according to the nature and severity
of the patient’s condition. Given the different structure
and economics of life in the U.S., most Americans do not have
the time or money to expend on treatments given in close succession.
Therefore, treatments here tend to be spread out over time, with
just one or two sessions each week or every other week -–
a limitation which often leads to slower healing. The metaphor
I use for my patients is that if you want to get a pot of water
to boil, the best method is not to start many times over, each
time stopping just before the boiling point. That way the heat
“accumulated” over a long time may still not give
you the desired boiling (or boiled) water… For better results,
I do recommend, in treatment for acute conditions, sessions at
least every second or third day, for the first two or three weeks,
wherever possible. Once the condition is under control, weekly
sessions may suffice until the symptoms disappear, after which
treatments at two to four week intervals may be recommended for
a period of time to sustain and consolidate the gain in overall
health.
Will my insurance cover my acupuncture bill?
Due to the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating many types
of ailments, and its consequent popularity as an alternative approach
to healing, increasing numbers of insurance carriers are now covering
acupuncture treatments. If your insurance company covers the cost
of acutherapy, but your acupuncturist is not yet a participating
provider with that insurance company, the therapist may nonetheless
be able to provide a sheet of paper-work called a “super
bill”; he or she will fill it out for
you so that you can send it to your insurance company with a claim
for a refund.
