Frequently Asked Questions
What is acupuncture? Why should I get it? Acupuncture, a part of Chinese Medicine, is based on an energetic model of the body. The ancient Chinese recognized a vital energy inherent in all living things and called this energy Qi (pronounced chee). Over hundreds - if not thousands - of years of practice, ancient physicians discovered a system of this cyclical energy flowing in the human body along specific pathways called channels or meridians. Each meridian is associated with a particular physiological system and internal organ. When the energy in the body's pathways becomes obstructed, deficient, or excessive, disease occurs. The corresponding organs and muscles do not get a necessary flow of energy and nutrients to properly perform their physiological functions, and that is when symptoms appear. The meridians communicate with the surface of the body at specific locations called acupuncture points. Needles inserted into these points influence and regulate the energy that flows to internal organs. Acupuncture also affects specific areas of body pain. A needle inserted near the area of overstrained muscle or tendon will adjust the flow of energy and nutrients to that area, release muscle tension, and relieve pain. To create your individualized treatment plan, acupuncturists use the following diagnostic methods: 1. pulse taking 2. examining the tongue 3. asking about related symptoms 4. physical exam From the perspective of western bio-medical research, we understand that acupuncture influences a number of physiological functions. These include releasing endorphins (natural pain killing chemicals), restoration of proper circulation in diseased areas, and stimulation of hormonal glands and immune system function. Research into the effects of acupuncture is still young. Scientists discover more information every year that helps us understand more fully how acupuncture works from an anatomical perspective. THERE ARE 5 MAIN REASONS PATIENTS CONSIDER ACUPUNCTURE: 1. Most commonly, patients have a condition that is not recognized by or doesn’t respond well to conventional western care. They are seeking an alternative treatment option that can effectively provide a solution to their healthcare issue. 2. The conventional treatment offered to by their Biomedical healthcare providers requires drugs with undesirable side effects or an unwanted surgery. 3. Patients are taking a list of many western drugs that are expensive, have side effects, or interfere with one another. Often Chinese medicine can treat these conditions so that the drugs can be withdrawn. 4. Patients prefer a natural, holistic medical approach to healthcare. 5. It feels good and beneficial to participate in self care and preventing illness on a regular basis. ***
Does acupuncture hurt? What type of needles do you use? Needles that acupuncturists use are called filiform needles. They are very different from the hypodermic syringe needles that "shots" at the doctor's office are given with. They are much smaller/thinner, solid, and cannot inject any substances. In fact, acupuncture needles are so thin that a standard-sized hypodermic syringe can hold about 40 average-sized acupuncture needles inside of it. When performed correctly, acupuncture is not painful. We typically use acupuncture needles that are 0.16-0.18mm thick. Over four years of schooling and many years of practice, our acupuncturists have mastered the technique of inserting these tiny, delicate needles into the body with minimal discomfort to our patients. In fact, many patients do not feel the needles at all, and some even fall asleep during the treatment! You can expect to feel: a very tiny pinch at the moment the needle is tapped in, or in many instances no sensation at all. Once the needle is in place it is normal to feel a pulling, heavy, or throbbing sensation, which can be initially startling if it is an unfamiliar feeling, but should not be painful. You may also feel a change in temperature (warmth or coolness) in your body or local to where the needle is placed. If any needle placement is uncomfortable or painful, we can always adjust so there is no pain. ***
I'm afraid of needles, can I still benefit from Chinese Medicine? For patients who have an aversion to needles, There are other methods of activating acu-points with no needle insertion. Contact needling is a technique in which thicker, blunted needles are held to the skin, and the selected acupuncture point is stimulated without actual penetration of the skin surface. This is a very effective and entirely painless method of acupuncture. There are several types of traditionally used acupuncture tools that were never intended to pierce the skin. At Healing Kind Health and Wellness, we use this technique with every bit of success as with regular needle insertion. *If you are interested in receiving contact needling in place of traditional needle insertion, please discuss this with us before or during your first treatment.* Additionally, there are many other modalities within the scope of Chinese Medicine that can be used in place of acupuncture needling, such as herbal medicine, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, and massage. ***
What if I don’t want a particular area of my body needled? At Healing Kind we specialize in creating individualized treatment plans. If you have specific concerns about a treatment modality or if you are not comfortable with certain areas of your body being touched or needled, please let us know. Your safety and comfort are our priority. If you need to remain seated rather than lying down, are more comfortable on your side, would prefer to have your hands free during treatment, or have other concerns, please let us know before your treatment and we will make sure to accommodate your needs. ***
Is acupuncture safe for children? Children of all ages can be treated and respond well to acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatment. Parents are turning to acupuncture more and more because it offers a safe, natural and effective approach to pediatric care. Not all acupuncturists are trained to treat babies and children, but at Healing Kind we have several acupuncturists with special training in Pediatric Acupuncture. We practice an advanced treatment modality called “ Shonishin Pediatric Acupuncture." (sho=little, ni=children, shin=needle) is a specialized form of treatment for infants and children that became popular for its success in the 1700s in Japan. To this day, Japanese parents regularly bring children for Shonishin treatment, and this approach is increasing in popularity around the world. The Shonishin method involves using soft metal instruments designed specifically for children that painlessly activate acupuncture meridians and points in order to reestablish proper energy flow. According to classic medical texts, children’s meridians are not fully formed until around puberty, so oftentimes using specific acupuncture points is not necessary until then. Because of this, children also typically have illnesses that progress faster and require shorter courses of treatment as compared with adults. For more information on contact needling, please see the section called, “What can I do if I want acupuncture, but I'm afraid of needles?”. ***Pediatric Acupuncture may help with:*** colds/flu asthma seasonal allergies hyperactivity/behavioral stabilization digestive/Gastrointestinal difficulty skin conditions (rash/eczema/hives) developmental delays anxiety/phobias/night terrors bedwetting ear infections ***
How do acupuncturists make sure their patients don't get infections? Acupuncturists are required by law in Arizona to use disposable, one-time-use, sterilized needles and earn certification in Clean Needle Technique per current OSHA standards. At Healing Kind Health and Wellness we take great care to minimize risk of infection for my patients by keeping up to date and complying with these standards of care. Infection from acupuncture needle has been known to occur, although only very infrequently. Most of those rare cases are due to improper training regarding Clean Needle Technique or happen with patients who are severely immune-compromised. If you have concerns about infection, we encourage you to let us know and we will be happy to discuss solutions with you. ***
Are there any risks or side effects of acupuncture treatment? Acupuncture has been shown to be a very safe treatment option and is used by millions of Americans every year. There are minimal risks and side effects associated with acupuncture treatment. In order to further minimize risk, Acupuncturists are required to undergo a 4 year, extensive and rigorous masters or doctoral level education. This training includes: acupuncture, herbal medicine, Oriental medical philosophy, a detailed study of western Biomedical anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, orthopedics, gynecology, and pharmacology, along with training and certification in Clean Needle Technique. All of our acupuncturists at Healing Kind have passed all of the comprehensive national board examinations administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and are licensed in the state of Arizona to practice acupuncture. As required by law, we use pre-sterilized, disposable, single-use needles to ensure your complete safety. After an acupuncture treatment you will be advised to rest for a period of time and drink extra water. Most people feel relaxed and energized after an acupuncture treatment. Sometimes this relaxed feeling is like waking from a long nap. On occasion after a session you may experience a small bruise or soreness where a needle was inserted. There may be an itching sensation after the needle is removed, which can be helped by applying pressure or a warm compress for a few minutes. *If you experience any significant pain, large bruises, swelling, difficulty breathing, or dizziness after an acupuncture treatment, please call our office or your doctor immediately.* ***
What happens at the first treatment session? At your first treatment session you will be welcomed into the office. You will sit together with your acupuncturist in one of our relaxing treatment rooms to discuss the reason for your visit. Your acupuncturist will also ask in-depth questions about your health (digestion, sleep habits, past illnesses/hospitalizations, etc.) and specific body systems so that he or she can place the reason for your visit into the overall pattern of your health. That way, we are able to give you an individualized diagnosis to work from. This intake usually lasts 10-30 minutes on your first visit and 5-10 minutes on follow-up appointments. After the intake, you will be asked to lie on the treatment table face-up, and your acupuncturist will take a reading of your radial pulses on both wrists. They will also look at your tongue. Pulse and tongue readings are classical diagnostic methods that help to assess the body's internal environment. Then, you will be asked to remove socks, roll up sleeves, etc., and the treatment will begin. The treatment may include acupuncture needle insertion, contact needling, cupping, gua sha, moxibusion, and/or massage/stretching. The treatment modality is dependent on your diagnosis and the treatment plan your acupuncturist creates for you. Usually, between 5 and 25 needles are inserted. The number of needles used also depends on the diagnosis and treatment strategy. Once all needles are in place, you will be asked to breathe deeply and relax into the treatment. It is best to lie still and not move your arms or legs too much during the treatment, as moving can affect the needle placement. The lights may be dimmed and your acupuncturist will step out of the room. You'll then rest on the treatment table with the needles in for approximately 20-30 minutes. Your acupuncturist may return throughout this time to adjust your needles. At the end of your visit, your acupuncturist will gently remove your needles. You are then free to take your time coming down off the treatment table and put on your shoes and socks, etc.. The session will be concluded with a brief reassessment of your mood, energy, and/or pain level. Payment and scheduling will take place after this post-treatment evaluation. ***
How long does a treatment session take? The initial treatment takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours and includes 10-30 minutes of intake, 5-15 minutes of needle insertion (plus or minus other treatment methods such as moxa or cupping, etc.), and 20-30 minutes with the needles in place. At appropriate times, several sets of needles may be administered, meaning needles may be removed and new ones placed in different acu-points. Follow up appointments are the same, but slightly shorter. The visit will take 45 minutes up to 1 hour, and includes 5-10 minutes of intake. **Pediatric Acupuncture** appointments are typically much shorter than treatments for adults. **Usually no needle insertion is used.** The initial treatment will last about 45 minutes and subsequent treatments will last 15-30 minutes. *A parent or guardian must be present.* ***
What do I wear to an acupuncture visit? Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. In most cases, patients keep their clothes on for acupuncture treatments. Most of the acupuncture points your acupuncturist will need to locate will be below your elbows and knees, but depending on the reason for your visit, they will need to reach points on the thighs, abdomen, chest, back, and/or head. For example, if you are coming for sciatic pain, your acupuncturist will most likely need access to points around your hip, thigh, and buttock, as needling local to the pain has been shown to improve treatment results in many, but not all cases. If you usually wear make-up, please come to your first treatment session without make-up. Facial/skin complexion and texture is one way to inform your diagnosis. If this will not be possible for any reason, please let us know. *If you need to change into different clothing after you arrive, there is a private place to do so.* ***
How many sessions/visits will I need? The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, so almost always more than one treatment is necessary to see significant results. The length of a course of treatment depends on the reason for your visit and the amount of time you have had those symptom(s). According to most clinical trials, a series of (6-12) treatments are usually necessary to resolve a condition fully, but each case is considered individually and an exact recovery rate cannot be guaranteed. **A consultation is required to determine the approximate time frame within which healing can be expected. ** For some conditions such as chronic pain that's been around for decades, some auto-immune diseases, years-long insomnia or intestinal problems, etc., a course of treatment can be more long term, and a maintenance schedule of some sort is likely in order to keep your body systems running smoothly and steadily after the initial period of relief and resolution. For example: Patient A comes in for help with pain and swelling from a new ankle sprain that happened yesterday. This type of injury responds best with acupuncture treatments a few times a week for 1 -2 weeks, beginning as close to the time of injury as possible. On the other hand, Patient B wants acupuncture so they can work toward better management of chronic anxiety and insomnia that they’ve struggled with since they were a teenager. Most likely Patient B will start to see clear changes in the pattern and intensity of their symptoms with regular, weekly treatments over about a month. However, to fully resolve those conditions it could take a course of multiple months, and if the condition is very persistent, periodic maintenance treatments may be necessary after that. Once Patient B finds themself in a place where they’re consistently happy with sleep and anxiety levels, we'll know it's time to reduce the frequency of his treatments. **The goal is to provide as few acupuncture treatments as possible while maintaining the healing progress that has been made.** ***