Your First Visit
| Here are things you need to know about your first acupuncture session: What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is an ancient healing art that came from the Orient. It consists of insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems. These points have been mapped by the Chinese over a period of 2500 years and there are more than 362 known acupoints. Acupuncture also comprises other different therapies, such as moxibustion, cupping and gua sha. What can you expect? Patient’s response is individual: some experience an immediate pain or symptom relief, in some cases pain or symptoms will diminish. Generally, expect to feel better and more relaxed overall. How does acupuncture work? From the Modern Western medical point it is still impossible to explain how acupuncture works. One of the theories is that it works on the deep structures of the brain. Acupuncture is based on Chinese theories of the flow of qi (vital force) through distinct channels that cover the body that somewhat like the nerves and blood vessels. Does acupuncture hurt? Acupuncture needles are hair-thin and the insertion is practically painless. It is nothing like receiving an injection. The practitioner will guide you thru your experiences with acupuncture. There may be some warmth tingling, heaviness or feeling of downward or upward movement of the qi in the channel. Most people get very relaxed and many fall asleep during the treatment. Is acupuncture safe? If acupuncture is performed by a trained licensed professional it is extremely safe. We use packaged, sterile, disposable needles. There is practically no chance of infection. How many treatments will you need? It depends on the complaint: what it is, how long you had it, how serious it is. For acute conditions sometimes it takes only one treatment, for chronic – 5 to 10 treatments. What should you wear? Wear loose clothing, best of all shorts and a sleeveless tank top. The idea is that acupoints should be easily accessible to be needled by the practitioner. Other important considerations: avoid being hungry or full, too fatigued, too upset or too excited. Is acupuncture effective in weight loss? Acupuncture stimulates the body to release endorphins, the body's own "feel-good" pain-relieving chemicals. It may be that one way acupuncture weight loss treatments help control appetite is by releasing endorphins. The acupuncturist will then insert needles into different areas of the body in order to help improve the body's functioning in a way that will promote weight loss. A benefit of acupuncture weight loss treatment is that unlike certain medications, there are no harmful side effects and no chance for addiction. It is a perfectly natural means of boosting the patient's weight loss efforts. Can Acupuncture help me to quit smoking? Acupuncture is effective in treating addictions. Smoking is one of them. As an addiction, smoking has to be addressed on emotional, mental and physical levels. Breaking the habit of lighting a cigarette is one of the hardest things to do. Acupuncture can help with the physiological symptoms of nicotine withdrawal (as with any other addictive substance), however, as a patient you must remain dedicated to your resolution to break the harmful habit. What does acupuncture treat? A. Musculoskeletal Pain Facial, TMJ, Neck, Back, Shoulder, Arm, Hand, Hip, Kee, Ankle, Foot, Fibromyalgia B. EENT Vertigo and Dizziness, Tinnitus, Rhinitis, Sinusitis, Allergic conjunctivitis C. Respiratory Cough, Asthma, Shortness of Breath, Common Cold D. Cardiovascular Hypertension, Edema E. Digestive Constipation, Diarrhea, Reflux Esophagitis, IBS, Gastritis, Nausea, Hemorrhoids, F. Urogenital Prostatitis, UTI, Incontinence, Sexual dysfunction G. Gynecological PMS, Dysmenorrhea, Irregular menstruation, Fertility Support, Amenorrhea, Abnormal Bleeding, Menopausal symptoms, Pelvic Pain H. Neurological Headache, Insomnia, Post-Herpetic Syndrome, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Peripheral neuropathy, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Bell’s Palsy, Trigeminal Neuralgia I. Integumentary Dermatitis (Eczema), Psoriasis, Urticaria, Hyperhydrosis J. Psychological Anxiety, PTSD, Stress, Depression K. Miscellaneous Addiction and Substance Abuse, Fatigue (incl. chronic), Immune Support e.g. side effects chemo; HIV AIDS There is not just one style of acupuncture. Some patients respond better to different styles. We treat our patient with the following modalities: Trigger Point Acupuncture - excellent pain relief for pain anywhere in the body caused by muscular constrictions. Trigger points are a common cause for tension headaches, knee pain, shoulder and hip pain. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Acupuncture – great for a variety of conditions from arthritic conditions and joint pain to depression and weight loss. Japanese Acupuncture – like TCM it treats mostly chronic conditions. Each treatment focuses on eliminating individual structural imbalances, causing the disturbance of the energy flow in the body, and in this way causing disease. Cupping – great instant muscular pain relief, excellent for treating simple colds. Gua Sha – skin scraping technique. It feels like a deep muscular massage, the effect on the body is similar to cupping. Moxibustion – burning rice-size cones of dry weed on the skin, enhances greatly the effect of acupuncture. |
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(917) 617-6779 for
MIDDLESEX
(973) 663-3002
LAKE HOPATCONG