Acupuncture FAQ

What is Acupuncture?

Traditional Oriental Medicine, which includes Acupuncture as well as Chinese herbal medicine, is one of the oldest forms of medicine in use today, and is regularly used by over a quarter of the worlds population.

The practice of acupuncture is literally thousands of years old, and is based on a system of pathways in the body known as the acupuncture "channels" or "meridians," which when manipulated by the placement of needles, can regulate and enhance health. Acupuncture points are stimulated to affect these energetic pathways which can become blocked or imbalanced, causing pain, weakness, restricted motion, emotional or mental issues, and disease.

Is Acupuncture Safe? Will it Hurt?

When practiced by a licensed practitioner, acupuncture is very safe. The needles that are used in each treatment are sterile, and never reused. They are ultra thin for comfortable insertion. Licensed professionals are trained extensively in safety and precautions of needle insertion, and are certified in the proper handling and disposal of the needles.

Serious side effects from acupuncture and herbal remedies are considered rare.

Many people find acupuncture to be a very pleasant and relaxing experience, and most people feel little if any discomfort or pain during a treatment. Common sensations you may experience around the needle site may include:

Heaviness or Distention
Warmth
A sore & achy feeling
Tingling sensations

These sensations are considered normal and even desirable, and basically mean we've hit the right spot!

How Long are Treatments, and How Many Will I Need?

Most acupuncture treatments take about 45-60 minutes from start to finish, although your initial appointment may take a little longer. The actual time you will have the needles in typically ranges from about 20 to 30 minutes. Treatment course and outcome can vary from case to case, and generally acute conditions respond quicker than chronic ones. Thus, some people may require only a handful of treatments, others more. Some people may even experience dramatic results in only one or two sessions.

Once your condition has been assessed, you will be given an idea of how often and how many treatments you may need Typically, a series of acupuncture treatments of 6 -12 visits with a frequency of 1 - 2 times per week will address most problems. Once you have reached a desirable level of relief, occasional "maintenance" treatments may be necessary to maintain the benefits

What Can Acupuncture Treat?

These are a small sampling of the conditions acupuncture and herbal medicine can effectively treat:

Musculoskeletal Issues

Back, neck, and shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, TMJ, sciatica, sports injuries, tennis elbow, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome

Ear, Nose, & Throat Problems

Post tooth extraction pain, earache, sinusitis, rhinitis, laryngitis, tinnitus, Meniere's disease

Respiratory and Circulatory Disorders

Common colds, asthma, bronchitis, allergies, frequent colds, hypertension, high cholesterol, palpitations, irregular heartbeats

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, nervous stomach, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, bloating

Women's Health & Urogenital Disorders

Menstrual irregularity, PMS, menstrual cramps, fertility enhancement, IVF & IUI Support, fibroids, menopausal syndrome, cystitis, stress incontinence, urinary disorders

Emotional & Neurological Disorders

Depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, stress, headaches, migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, intercostal neuralgia, post stroke paralysis, dizziness

Nicotine/Other Addictions & So Much More!

Sugar cravings, weight management, low energy, chronic fatigue, immune system disorders, fibromyalgia....just to name a few!

Confluence Healing Acupuncture & Herbs