FAQs About:

• Acupuncture
• Chinese Herbal Medicine
• Chinese Massage Therapy
• Nutritional Consultation
• Payment Options
•  

More Questions?

Still have questions? Please call us at 503-643-1788 or email us your question.

Acupuncture

Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture rarely causes any pain. Acupuncture needles are very fine and flexible, about the diameter of a human hair. The most common sensation is heaviness or tingling in the area of insertion. Most patients find treatments to be very relaxing and many fall asleep.

Is acupuncture safe?
When preformed by a qualified, licensed professional, acupuncture is one of the safest medical procedures in the world. Acupuncture needles are sterile and disposed of after each use.

How long is a treatment?
Generally an acupuncture treatment lasts around 1 hour, but may run as long as 1 3/4 hours.

How many treatments will I need?
Acupuncture treats the underlying cause of illness thus alleviating symptoms and strengthening your overall system. Usually one or two treatments per week, but it depends on your condition. You practitioner will give you a general idea of the time necessary. Chronic illness may require treatment for several weeks or longer and acute problems generally respond much faster.

What is the treatment process?
Acupuncture is usually administered with the patient lying comfortably either face down or face up on the treatment table. You may be asked to change into a gown, which we will provide. After the needles are inserted, you will rest quietly for 25 to 35 minutes (length of time may vary depending on your condition). During this time, it is common for your acupuncturist to leave you resting alone in the room, and will periodically return to check on your treatment.

What are other treatment options?
Traditionally needles are used, but there are other methods used to bring out the desired response such as: cupping, Tuina (Chinese style massage), electronic stimulations, moxibustion, TDP lamp and herbal therapy. We offer these as adjunct treatment options.

What is involved in acupuncture diagnosis?
Acupuncture diagnosis centers around finding Qi imbalance and blockage. Imbalances and blockages care found using pulse diagnosis, observation of patient, condition of skin, patient interview.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Are there side effects?
When prescribed properly by a licensed acupuncturist, herbal medicine is very safe. Patients will occasionally report loose stools and/or ingestion when first taking an herbal formula. In most cases, this is a natural and temporary healing reaction which only lasts a day or so. In rare instances, the patient might have an allergy to some component of the formula - in this case, your acupuncturist would adjust the formula to suit your constitution.

Can I use Chinese herbal medicine while taking other medications?
It is very important to let your acupuncturist know of any prescription medications, supplements and/or other herbal formulas you might be taking. Acupuncturists are trained to recognize when herbal medicine is appropriate and when it is not. Certain medications may be "red flags" for herbal medicine. For example, patients on Coumadin or Warfarin would not be candidates for herbal medicine as these are very high-maintenance drugs. In cases where a patient is on 'red flag' medications or is taking too many medications to properly predict or monitor potential interactions, the acupuncturist will simply apply the other tools of traditional Chinese medicine in treating the patient - namely acupuncture, massage and nutritional recommendations.

What forms do the herbs come in?
We dispense herbs in pill, granule and bulk form. When taking granules, warm water is simply added and the formula is taken like a tea. Bulk herbs must be cooked at home and the liquid strained before drinking.

When do I take the herbs?
Your acupuncturist will instruct you on how to take your herbal formula. Please follow your given schedule closely, because as with any medication it works best when take consistently.

Chinese Massage Therapy

What is Tui Na massage?
"Tui Na" is the formal Chinese name for Chinese Massage Therapy, and it translates to "push grasp." This massage technique was designed long ago to move Qi in various parts of the body. It is an excellent adjunct therapy to acupuncture and can be applied to relieve inflammation, tension and muscle pain, as well as speed up the healing process following an injury.

How long is the massage session?
Patients may receive 10-15 minutes of massage as part of their regularly scheduled acupuncture sessions, or a separate 30 minute or 1 hour massage session can be scheduled.

Nutritional Consultation

Who can benefit from a nutritional consultation?
Everyone can benefit from a nutritional consultation. One of the most famous doctors in Chinese medicine, Sun Si-miao, who lived during the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD), said that when illness strikes the doctor must first address issues in the patient's lifestyle and diet. In many instances, making appropriate changes in these two key departments would be enough to effect a cure over time. If it did not, then the doctor would employ acupuncture and herbal medicine as treatment. The importance of proper nutrition cannot be overstated.

Payment Options

Do you take insurance?
Yes we take insurance! And we also help you work with your insurance company, and do all the paper work associated as well.

Does my insurance cover Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments?
Most insurance companies now offer some coverage of Acupuncture and TCM treatments. Insurance offered by major companies (Intel, Nike, Columbia Sportswear, etc.) almost always have Acupuncture coverage. If you are unsure about your own insurance, please call us at 503-643-1788 and we will be happy to help you find out.