v Index
- 1. What is Acupuncture?
- 2. How does Acupuncture work?
- 3. Will it hurt?
- 4. Is it safe?
- 5. What should I expect for my first treatment?
- 6. How long do treatments take?
- 7. How many treatments will I need?
- 8. Are needles the only equipment involved?
- 9. Will it conflict with my other medications?
10. What is COM (Contemporary Oriental Medicine)?
11. What is Herbal Medicine?
12. What is Moxibustion?
13. What is Cupping?
14. What is Chinese/Asian Medical Massage (Tui Na)?
15. What is Tai Chi/Qi Gong?
16. What is Food Therapy?
17. What is Reiki?
18. What is Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture?
19. What condition(s) can Acupuncture treat?
20. Cautions?
21. How much do treatments cost?
22. Do you accept insurance? What forms of payment are accepted?
v What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a medical therapy developed several thousand years ago in Asia. Acupuncture stimulates specific points beneath the skin by the insertion of acupuncture needles. This process restores the balance of the body’s energy, also knows as “Qi” (pronounced chee). Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Moxibustion, Cupping, Tui Na, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Food Therapy, Auricular Therapy are some of the essential elements of Oriental Medicine.
v How does acupuncture work?
One of the cornerstones of Oriental Medicine is the concept of life-force energy or Qi. Qi travels in the body through invisible pathways called channels or meridians. There are certain points on the body (more than 360) that connect with certain organs and bodily functions. Points on the body that apply to a specific organ or function are found along the same meridian. In a healthy, normal functioning body, the energy in these meridians flows freely resulting in a balanced system (health). When the flow of energy is interrupted from causes such as stress or injury, this energy is reduced throwing your “Qi” off balance. By performing acupuncture using the points associated with the particular meridian involved, this Qi balance is restored.
v Will it hurt?
Acupuncture needles are extremely thin made from silver alloy typically stainless steel. You may feel little or no discomfort as the needles are inserted as the process is typically painless. You may feel different transitory sensations including slight soreness, numbness, warmth, or pressure. These energetic sensations differs from pain. People often comment that the feeling is unfamiliar but pleasant and comforting
v Is it safe?
Yes! The needles are Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved. These needles are thin, extremely fine and delicate. They are individually packaged, pre-sterilized and disposed after a single use. I follow Clean Needle Technique Standards as detailed by National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), National Acupuncture Foundation (NAF), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
v What should I expect for my first treatment?
The practitioner will observe your overall appearance, facial color, nails and tongue. A detailed medical history will include birth and past medical history, current complaints, diet, sleep, elimination habits and emotional life. Palpation of the abdomen and pulses on each wrist will be taken. Patterns in the details will help determine where imbalances exist in the body. After the first treatment has been administered, depending on the aliment being treated, many experiences may occur. Immediate, total or partial relief from pain or other symptoms may be experienced. Some patients experience a sudden burst of energy while others may feel relaxed. Many people experience a calming satisfaction
v How long do the treatments take?
Initial visits can usually last up to two hours. Follow-up visits can last up to an hour. The actual time of needle retention is less and depends on individual conditions of the person. Be aware that on some days, visits may take longer due to the number of clients being treated..
v How many treatments will I need?
Since every person is unique in their own condition, the numbers of treatments will vary. The nature, severity and history of each person’s problem, as well as the individual himself or herself, are all factors that are involved in how many treatments will be necessary.
v Are needles the only equipment involved?
Several techniques such as moxibustion, cupping, ion pumping cords, herbal seeds, and manual point stimulation to help with the person’s treatment may be used. The use of any other equipment will depend on the nature of the problem(s).
v Will it conflict with my other medications?
Acupuncture will not conflict with any of your medications. Acupuncture is used to complement and supplement your physician’s treatments NOT TO REPLACE THEM. You should discuss this issue with your physician and acupuncturist.
v What is Contemporary Oriental Medicine?
Contemporary Oriental Medicine (COM) incorporates and integrates the best features of various practices of Acupuncture. These practices include traditional modalities from The Classics, Five-Element, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Oral Traditions (i.e.: John Shen, MD, Leon Hammer, MD), Japanese and other systems. This ancient art has been updated to take into account the impact of modern life, changing roles and ever increasing environmental toxicity. The heart of this approach is based on a sophisticated pulse-taking system. The practitioner uses this pulse-taking system along with observing eyes, tongue as well as listening, inquiry, response, and other diagnostic tools to look for imbalances and disharmonies in the body.
v What is Herbal Medicine?
The use of herbs is older than any other form of medicinal treatment in the world. The herbs work on the underlying conditions that result from the body being out of balance. Chinese herbs are usually combined in formulas that are individualized for each person. The mixture of herbs will be determined by the patterns of disharmony determined through intake and treatment. Formulas are available in variety of forms: raw, powdered or pre-made into pills (patents). The amount and length of time any formula is taken is also individualized.
v What is Moxibustion?
Moxibustion (Jiu Fa) is one of the most ancient forms of therapy used in China. Moxa is an herb (Mugwort or Artemesia argyi). Moxa is placed on a needle or on a barrier above the skin and heated. This herb is very versatile and can be used for many different reasons (move Qi or Blood, strengthen, energize, invigorate, remove toxins). It does have a distinctive odor when burned, Use of moxa is dependent on treatment.
v What is Cupping?
This is also an old technique, practiced by many cultures. Air in a glass cup is removed and inverted on the skin, creating a suction and moved around. The effect of this therapy can be for general use (remove superficial toxins), local use (remove pain, relax stiff muscles, assist with localized healing). Cupping has a mild and tolerable pulling action on the skin.
v What is Chinese/Asian Medical Massage (Tui Na)?
Chinese massage is called Tui Na (“pushing and grasping”), or An Mo (“pressing and rubbing”) and is a Chinese medical therapy with various manipulations applied to certain location of the human body to prevent and treat diseases. It has a long history and dates back to the ancient times. Japanese shiatsu and western bodywork Swedish massage all developed from adaptation of Tui Na. It is closely related to acupuncture in use of Chinese medical theory and is considered to be effective for a similar range of health problems.
v What is Tai Chi and Qi Gong?
An art form, exercises used for developing energy, particularly for health. Energy is developed from many sources (a person’s own life force energy, the food eaten, the air breathed). Practicing these exercises help the body and mind. There are many different forms of Tai Chi/Qi Gong and even the most simple of these exercises can have beneficial results for the individual. Individuals of all capabilities can perform these exercises.
v What is Food Therapy?
Since Chinese medicine works on balancing the body it is important to support any acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine with proper diet. Everyone should try to eat fresh food, freshly prepared, with a minimum of chemicals, preservatives, or additives. Dietary changes should be implemented slowly over a period of time.
v What is Reiki?
This is a Japanese system of healing (Usui Shiki Ryoho – Usui Natural Healing System). It is founded on principle that free flow of Ki (life force energy) in the body is needed for health. Reiki works on the vibratory energy field that surrounds the body. Only hands are used at this energetic field level to work on unblocking energy that is not moving. Body-mind-and-spirit are all affected by the movement of Ki.
v What is Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture?
Ear acupuncture therapy has been used in China for centuries. The entire body is represented at specific locations in the ear. When these areas in the body are not balanced they will be detectable in the ear by changes in skin or sensitivity to pressure. Ear acupuncture provides treatment by stimulating certain points on the auricle (ear). Needling, or application of an herb (Vaccaria) seed to the specific point provides treatment.
v What conditions can Acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture therapy has been used for thousands of years. Acupuncture is the treatment of choice for one-fourth of the world’s population. Many conditions may be treated. The effectiveness of Acupuncture has been demonstrated in Eastern medicine by actual use, results and modifications of use over the thousands of years it has been practiced.
Acupuncture has been cited by the World Health Organization to treat 43 conditions. Sample list of what can be treated: Pain (acute, chronic), Fibromyalgia, Sports injuries, Carpel Tunnel, Post-Operative or Post-Chemotherapy Nausea, Insomnia, Memory, Concentration Problems, Migraine Headaches, Anxiety/Depression, Stress reduction, Addictions: Drug, , Smoking Cessation, Obesity, Menstrual disorder, PMS, Infertility, Menopause Symptoms, Osteoporosis, Urinary/Sexual Dysfunction, Digestive Problems, Chronic illness such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, allergies, heart conditions, Colds & Flus.
Western medicine has approached the effectiveness of Acupuncture through traditional Western research and clinical studies. A sample of the Clinical Studies results demonstrate that Acupuncture is effective in treating: Depression/Anxiety, Facial Pain, Fibromyalgia, Headache, Menopause, Osteoarthritis, Pain, Post-op and Chemotherapy nausea, Respiratory disease, Smoking and Drug addictions, Tennis elbow, Urinary dysfunction
National Institute of Health (NIH) found Acupuncture:
-“Effective for adult post-operative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting; a reasonable option for post-operative myofascial and low back pain; should be a part of a comprehensive program for asthma, addiction and smoking cessation.”
-“Has substantially lower incidence of adverse effects that many drugs or accepted medical procedures for the same conditions.”
-“The data in support of acupuncture are as strong as for many accepted Western Medical therapies.”
-“Stimulates bone regrowth; regulates blood pressure; stimulates production of pain modulating endorphins.”
| Conference and Clinical Research (NIH), “The Body Electric” by Robert Becker, MD, “The Vital Meridian” by Alan Bensoussain |
v Cautions?
Small, localized bruises from minor bleeding under the skin are infrequent, but do occur. These are no cause for alarm, and despite the cosmetic inconvenience, they actually provide a kind of bonus treatment. The reabsorption of the blood continues the stimulation of the acupuncture point even without the needle in place. It is important that persons eat prior to receiving acupuncture in order to avoid any potential effects from the movement of Qi. (possibility of feeling momentarily light-headed). If anyone is working in the garden or outdoors immediately preceeding an appointment, it is important to clean-up prior to appointment. This will prevent any unintentional contamination.
v What is the cost of treatments?
Initial appointment cost $100.00 (approximately 2 hours )
Return appointment cost $50.00 (approximately 1 hour)
Arrangements for sliding scale can be made on an individual basis.
v Do you accept Insurance? What forms of payment are accepted?
At this time, I do not accept Insurance or debit/credit cards. Payment can be made by cash or check.
I provide a detailed encounter receipt with the appropriate place of service, procedure (CPT), diagnosis (ICD-9-CM), practitioner number (NPI) codes and charges needed by any Payer. You can then submit this form for reimbursement from your Insurance carrier, if they provide coverage for Alternative Medicine providers.
Paula E. Coley