Acupuncture Frequently Asked Questions

What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a system of medicine that was begun thousands of years ago in China. As time has gone on, it has spread all over the world, testimony to its effectiveness in treating a wide variety of problems. Acupuncture is classified as energetic medicine, meaning that it works with the energy systems of the body. The Chinese call energy “Qi” or “Chi,” and they believe that the body’s energy flows through it in a regulated and systematic way, just like blood flows through our circulatory system in a regulated and systematic way.

The pathways through which Qi flows are called “meridians,” and it is the job of the acupuncturist to release areas where Qi flow has been obstructed or compromised, as well as rebalance areas where there is too much or too little Qi. This is done by inserting extremely fine needles at special points along the meridians. Sometimes the points are heated through a procedure called moxibustion, a traditional Chinese method of bringing energy, in the form of heat, into the body. One or both of these methods may be used, according to the individual needs of the patient.

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How is Classical Five-Element Acupuncture different from “Traditional” Acupuncture?
When acupuncture was introduced to this country in the 1970s, the form of acupuncture being used in China at that time was known as Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM acupuncture, also called “traditional” acupuncture. This officially approved methodology was created in the latter half of the 20th century, during the reign of Mao Tse Tung, and its focus was on the alleviation of body symptoms, while most mental, emotional, and spiritual complaints were not addressed. Because this was the primary form of acupuncture at the time China was “opened” to the West, this same form was imported and taught at most American acupuncture schools, as is the case today.

Classical Five-Element Acupuncture, on the other hand, has its roots in Traditional Oriental Medicine (TOM), a conglomeration of practices stretching back to the Stone Age. One of the original foundations of TOM was the life of the spirit. In other words, TOM is a holistic approach to healing, addressing body, mind, and spirit.

Classical Five-Element Acupuncture was developed and brought to the West by Professor J.R. Worsley, based on his studies of TOM in the Orient. It recognizes that a person’s body, mind, and spirit must all be taken into account in order to effectively restore balance and health on all levels. Prof. Neil Gumenick, a Classical Five-Element acupuncturist and Director of the Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Santa Monica, California, states: “In twenty years of practice, I have not seen a single patient who is only physically sick. There is always a mental and spiritual component which is actually at the root of disease and unique to the individual. The ancient Chinese knew this. Therefore, in this system, no two patients, even with the same physical symptoms, are ever treated the same. As our mission statement proclaims, our purpose is to enable practitioners to provide the highest standard of care to the bodies, minds, and spirits of patients.”

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Do the needles hurt?
Most people are pleasantly surprised at how comfortable acupuncture needles are. The needles are about the width of a human hair and have a flexible shaft. An acupuncture needle is nothing like a hypodermic syringe. Upon insertion, many people are not even aware the needle has penetrated the skin. Once inserted, patients will often feel a momentary dull ache when the point is being activated.

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Are the needles disposable?
Yes. All needles come in pre-sterilized, sealed packets, and they are disposed of in Sharps containers after use. These needles are made of high-quality stainless steel, and are imported from Japan.

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How often will I need treatment?
Because every person is unique, the duration of treatment will vary from person to person. The overall state of health, the person’s lifestyle, the severity of the illness and the length of time the person has been suffering with it are all factors that affect the length of treatment. After the initial consultation and evaluation, however, treatments are usually given once a week for four to eight sessions, after which visits are reduced to biweekly, then monthly, etc, as the patient improves. Follow-up maintenance is suggested as a means to keep the system in balance. Naturally, how often will vary from individual to individual, but preventive maintenance is the key.

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How much will it cost?
The initial consultation, evaluation, and treatment, which takes two hours (and sometimes longer, depending of the individual patient) costs $125, and follow-up acupuncture sessions are $65 each.

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What conditions does acupuncture treat?
The World Health Organization lists over 40 conditions that lend themselves to treatment by acupuncture, and there are numerous studies documenting acupuncture’s ability to regulate the function of the human body and to increase its resistance to disease processes. In any such discussion, however, what must be borne in mind is the uniqueness of each individual. One person’s migraine is not the same as another person’s migraine. They are two individuals who both happen to manifest symptoms known collectively as “migraine,” but each will respond differently to treatment. Indeed, each must be treated differently, i.e., on the basis of their individual presentation and needs. An acupuncturist cannot know whether a patient will or won’t respond to treatment until the exam is completed and the response to the first few treatments is noted.

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How long will it take till I feel results?
The number of treatments needed before any noticeable change occurs varies from person to person. Typically the longer a patient has suffered from a disease and the more severe the disease is, the longer it takes to bring about noticeable improvement. Some patients—and they are the exception—respond almost immediately and are well after two or three sessions, despite suffering from chronic illness. Most patients who have deep-seated illness will find that it may take six to eight sessions before they begin to notice improvement. Of course, patients in a relatively good state of health will notice improvement more quickly, sometimes after the first treatment but usually within four to five sessions.

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Is there any problem receiving acupuncture if I’m on medications?
Acupuncture does not interfere with medications, and vice versa. Many people find, however, that they are able to reduce the amount of medication they need as acupuncture begin to rebalance their system and improve their health. It is never recommended that you stop or reduce a medication on your own. Any change in medication should be carefully monitored by your physician.

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Does acupuncture work for kids?
Absolutely. Sometimes moxibustion alone is used with children, sometimes light needling, for most children respond very quickly to treatment.

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Does acupuncture work with non-physical problems?
Yes. As mentioned, Classical Five-Element Acupuncture views the patient as a whole—body, mind, and spirit. What happens to you physically affects your mind and spirit as well. For example, when someone has suffered severe physical injury because of an accident, we know that there are effects on a mental and spiritual level as well, as the person struggles to cope with the injury. Conversely, when a person is under extreme mental or emotional distress, they often develop physical symptoms, e.g., high blood pressure, migraine, insomnia, fatigue, and a myriad of other possibilities. Imbalance on one level means imbalance on other levels. It is the intention of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture to restore balance and harmony on all levels--body, mind, and spirit.

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Do you have any recommendations during a course of treatment?
Yes, it is best to allow yourself plenty of time during and after your treatment, so that you are not feeling rushed or hurried. Taking things quietly for an hour or two after your session will help you get greater benefit from your treatment. It is also best not to eat a heavy meal immediately before or after a session.

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Do you have any suggestions with regard to diet, exercise, and lifestyle?
As with anything, moderation is important. During the initial consultation as well as through the course of treatment, we will discuss how your individual diet, exercise habits, and lifestyle are contributing to your state of health, with suggestions, as appropriate.