1. What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a ancient
healing modality which has been applied in the clinic to maintain health and prevent and
treat diseases for more than five thousand years. It includes
acupuncture, natural herbal medicine, Tui-na (Chinese massage),
moxibustion, cupping and auricular acupuncture. Natural, effective,
safe, and few or no side effect are characteristics of TCM.
2. What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the complex
branches of TCM. Very fine, sterile and disposable needles
are inserted into the specific energetic points on the body to stimulate
a healing energy flow and restore the normal balance of chi/qi, so the
organs and body systems can work together in harmony as intended.
3. Is Acupuncture painful?
Acupuncture needles are very fine and flexible.
Some patients experience a pinch-like sensation briefly upon needle
insertion, other patients doesn’t. There may be a feeling of distention,
tightness or soreness around the needle, the qi sensation.
4. Is Acupuncture safe?
Definitely safe. We always follow the national
Clean Needle Technique (CNT) standards. The acupuncture needles we use
are sterilized by the manufacturer and are disposed of after each
treatment.
5. Are there any negative side effects of Acupuncture?
Studies show that 70% of patients feel an
immediate response to treatment. Slight bruising at certain insertion
points is the most common side effect. However, in traditional Chinese
medicine, this is viewed as a positive side effect: the blood
accumulation and re-absorption into the system at certain meridian
points helps prolong the positive stimulation of qi.
6. How does the TCM practitioner or acupuncturist diagnose patients?
Each patient is
diagnosed according to the “'Four
Examinations,” a method of diagnosis which dates back over three
thousand years: Observing, Listening / Smelling, Questioning and
Palpating. After gathering all the information from
patients through these examinations, the practitioner will analyze it based on the theory of TCM, such as Yin and Yang
balance, five elements, Chi/Qi, and the pattern differentiation or
diagnosis derived from it, such as deficiency of Chi, excess of Yang or
Chi stagnation. The treatment is based on the diagnosis, either to
restore the balance of Ying and yang or to boost the Chi/Qi and its free
flow. TCM diagnostic terms mostly describe the organ's functional condition in
TCM theory rather than real pathological changes. From aWestern medical
view.
7. How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments depends upon the
duration, severity, and nature of each individual's issues. A general course of treatment is ten
sessions. Some may require only half or one course of treatment while
some may need few more courses. However, the patient can expect that
their major complaint will be addressed and treated in a direct and
timely manner.
For treatment of gynecological disorder or
fertility issues, a course of treatment is three menstrual cycles. While some may just need one course of
treatment, others may need two or three courses of treatment. We have
patients who have achieved the desired result after just one cycle of
treatment, so they don’t need three cycles.
8. What should I do before and during the
treatment?
Before the treatment, try
to avoid becoming excessively fatigued, hungry, or over nervous. It is
best to eat something within a few hours of the treatment. During
the treatment, try your best to
relax and meditate. Please do not change your position or move suddenly.
9. What can I expect after the treatment?
Most of patients felt very relaxed right after the
treatment. Many conditions may be alleviated very rapidly by acupuncture
and Chinese medicine. However, some conditions that have arisen over
course of years will be relieved only with slow, steady progress.
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