FAQ
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What is Chinese medicine and how does it work?Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the world's oldest professional medicine, currently used by more than one-fourth of the world's population, and quickly becoming one of the most popular and effective medical systems in Western culture. This ancient approach to healing combines a wide array of therapies including diet, exercise, massage, acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal medicine.
Chinese medicine works by supporting the body's own ability to heal, and by re-establishing harmony and balance. Although often described as a means of pain relief, it is in fact used to treat a broad spectrum of disorders. It's focus is on improving the overall well-being of the patient, and treating the whole person to recover the equilibrium between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual.
Acupuncture has been scientifically shown to stimulate the immune system. It has balancing effects on circulation, blood pressure, rhythm and stroke volume of the heart, secretion of gastric acid, and production of red and white blood cells. Chinese medicine also stimulates a variety of hormones that help the body respond to injury and stress.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of very thin, stainless steel, sterile, disposable needles into the body at specific points that have been shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems. These points are located along meridians of the body and have been mapped by the Chinese over a period of centuries. recently in this country, electromagnetic research has proven the existence of these points.
What are meridians?
Meridians (also called channels) are invisible pathways of energy coursing the body, similar to the way nerves and blood vessels do. There are 12 primary meridians with over 300 acupuncture points along them, and each meridian is associated with an internal organ.
Does Acupuncture work?
Yes, recent studies published in this country in the most respected medical journals report that people who have tried acupuncture say they are extremely satisfied with the results 60% of the time, very satisfied about 30% of the time, and satisfied 10% of the time. Those are excellent numbers!
How is Chinese medicine different from Western medicine?
Western medicine treats a specific disease or symptom, such as a headache, back pain, hypertension, depression, etc. and treats them primarily with prescription drugs and surgery. These treatments can often control symptoms, but they usually do not alter the disease process.
Chinese medicine treats patterns of disease based on the person's whole picture of signs and symptoms, their emotional temperament, and their bodily constitution. It treats not only the immediate symptoms but the underlying disharmonies that caused the symptoms. Chinese medicine's holistic approach helps the body re-balance itself using safe, effective techniques and natural herbal medicines.
It is true that acupuncture and herbal formulas generally take longer to resolve imbalances, but they do it without side effects and they address the cause of the disease, thereby preventing a re-occurance.
Is Acupuncture painful?
Many people are afraid of needles and they naturally assume that acupuncture must be painful. Acupuncture needles are typically not much thicker than a hair, and the highest quality needles have extremely sharp tips that pass through the top layers of the skin smoothly. Most times patients do not even feel the insertion, while occasionally they may feel a slight pinch or mild discomfort. Usually the insertion is smooth and comfortable.
What can you expect before, during, and after treatment?
Before treatment the acupuncturist determines what is out of balance through four basic examinations:
1. Questioning about one's signs and symptoms, one's medical history, and the course of the present disease.
2. Inspecting the face, the body, and especially the tongue.
3. Listening to the voice and the breathing.
4. Palpating (feeling) any painful areas and palpating the pulse on both wrists.
During the treatment you can expect to feel very relaxed, almost euphoric. This is due to the overall increase in blood and qi energy flow and the release of endorphins in the brain and spine. A typical treatment lasts 20-40 minutes and many people are so relaxed they fall asleep during that time.
After treatment most people feel not only very balanced and calm but energized. Occasionally they may feel tired or drowsy for a few hours if the treatment has been particularly strong, or there may be a short-term flare-up of their symptoms as a natural part of the healing process.
How frequently should you get treatments?
Most people receive treatments once or twice a week for the first few weeks until their condition has either resolved or greatly improved. Then treatments about once a month for maintenance and wellness are generally recommended.
How many treatments will you need?
This varies widely upon the condition and its severity and duration. Chronic conditions that have continued for years can take months to resolve, while a recent injury or problem may take only a single treatment to correct. In general, for most conditions, 5-10 treatments are needed. The effectiveness of acupuncture can be greatly increased with the concurrent use of an appropriate herbal formula.
Do you have to believe in it for it to work?
No, you don't. we know this because acupuncture has been used with great results on cats, dogs, horses and other animals. These animal patients do not understand or believe in the process but they do get better. Even so, a positive attitude may greatly enhance the benefits of your treatment, while a negative attitude may hinder your progress, just as with any other treatment.
Are there any side effects?
Basically, no, as long as the acupuncturist is well trained and knows what he or she is doing. In North America there are some medical practitioners like M.D.'s, chiropractors, and nurses who start practicing after only several weekends of training. Limited training can lead to more serious side effect like pneumothorax (collapsed lung), fainting, or a needle breaking off in the muscles.
Any risks associated with getting an acupuncture treatment by a qualified clinically trained practitioner with at least 3 years of educational training are minor and temporary. These include slight bruising, a drop or two of bleeding at an acupuncture site, temporary fatigue, and light-headedness.
Does insurance cover Acupuncture?
Yes! Most major insurance companies are now offering many plans covering acupuncture, but not yet herbal medicine. Usually a 50% co-pay is required, an average of $25-$30 per treatment and generally limited to 10-12 visits per year.
How long has herbal medicine been used?
Herbal medicine has been practiced as long or longer than acupuncture has. It's written history stretches back at least 2,500 years and its practice is much older than that. In this country Chinese herbal medicine is very new, although its use in the last few decades has grown rapidly as people search for healthier alternatives to prescription drugs and surgery.
How are herbs used?
Each Chinese herbal formula has its own unique individual properties, actions and therapeutic effects. The herbs are combined together into formulas of 6-12 herbs to enhance their individual effects, and they are chosen according to the patterns diagnosed by the practitioner. Tonic formulas for example, restore weakened bodily resources, while regulating and moving formulas decongest qi, blood or moisture, relieving discomfort or pain.
Formulas are available in many forms; raw herbs to be boiled into a tea, liquid bottled extracts, ground herbs packaged into pills, and powders. herbal formulas can be customized to match a patient's specific needs.
What are herbal formulas made of?
Chinese medicine formulas are made up of ingredients from the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms. The majority however, are from vegetable sources like leaves, flowers, twigs, stems, roots, rhizomes, bark, and fruit.
Are there side effects?
Herbal medicine is very safe and effective. If the formula has been prescribed correctly according to the patient's Chinese medicine patterns, there are no side effects, only beneficial healing results. Most of the herbal medicinals in the Chinese Materia Medica have very low toxicity compared to even common, OTC Western medicines.
What conditions can herbal medicine treat?
Herbal medicine can treat all the same conditions that acupuncture can treat. They can treat a full range of human disease including acute conditions like the common cold and flu, as well as chronic disorders like allergies, autoimmune disease, pain conditions, and degenerative disease.
What is Moxibustion?
Moxibustion is the burning of the dried leaves of the Asian mugwort plant "moxa". The leaves are ground up and densely packed into a stick and burned at or near specific acupuncture points or whole areas of the body. The patient experiences a very comfortable feeling of heat that penetrates deep into the skin. Healing benefits come from the warmth of the smouldering herb, its pleasant odor, and from its nourishing properties.
What is Cupping?
Cupping is the use of glass jars to create suction on various points of the body. Cupping is applied so that the skin and superficial layer of the muscles are drawn into and held in the cup. This technique is said to promote blood circulation, unblock stagnation, and relieve pain and swelling. A certain amount of redness of the skin is expected following treatment to produce the best results.
What is TuiNa?
"TuiNa" is simply Chinese massage. It has been used in China for more than 2,000 years and is based on the theory of promoting the harmonious flow of energy or "qi" through the channels or meridians of the body. It's invigorating, relaxing, and re-energizing, and it releases blocked energy and restores a balanced flow, improving health and preventing disease.
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Amy M. Miller, L.Ac., Dipl. C.H.
Nationally Board Certified
NY State Licensed
Points of Harmony Acupuncture
English Pines Professional Building
1687 English Road
Rochester NY, 14616
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