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FAQ about Acupuncture - an Alternative Medicine
Do the needles hurt?
No, acupuncture should not hurt. The insertion and removal of Acupuncture needles is virtually painless. The turning and movement of the needles by the Acupuncturist may create a moment of discomfort like a dull pressure or tingling. Most people are amazed at how relaxed they feel during and after treatment. Even the children who are our patients enjoy the experience.
Is Acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is extremely safe. Acupuncturists are required to use sterile and disposable needles that are discarded after each use. Needles used in this office are slender as a human hair. It is seldom necessary to penetrate much below the surface of the skin.
What conditions are treated with acupuncture?
- Pain
- Stress related disorders
- Insomnia
- Menopausal symptoms
- Allergies
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Headaches
- Backaches and Neck Pain
- Menstrual Disorders
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Anxiety
- PMS
- High Blood Pressure
- Digestive disorders
These are just a few of the conditions treated |
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Does insurance cover acupuncture?
Insurance coverage depends on your particular policy. Asian Healing Arts Center will gladly give you a super bill to submit for insurance reimbursement. There are a few plans that cover acupuncture. Be sure to call your insurance provider to verify benefits.
What forms of payment are accepted?
Cash, Check and credit cards are the accepted forms of payment.
What can I expect with my first treatment?
Allow a full two hours for this first treatment. We include a complete Medical profile and an Acupuncture profile, a Chinese type physical exam, and your first Acupuncture treatment. For subsequent visits allow one hour.
How many treatments will I need?
Total treatment time will be determined by your current lifestyle, and by the history of your illness. By the third or fourth visit, a determination of the number of additional treatments required can usually be made. For some conditions as few as 8 treatments are all that is necessary. Improvement of symptoms is generally experienced after four to five treatments, sometimes less.
Is Acupuncture also preventative?
People interested in maintaining peak health seek regular Acupuncture treatments before any physical illness occurs. It is especially advisable to balance the flow of chi energy in each season; spring, summer, late summer, fall and winter. Our office will notify you at appropriate times so that you may schedule a visit.
What is Detoxification?
Detox, which is short for the term detoxification is a process that happens in the body and mind when toxic substances are being released. It can also be called withdrawal if the body has been used to long-term toxins such as nicotine, alcohol or any addictive substance.
Using acupuncture, herbs, essential oils and other holistic therapies can help the process of detoxifying by reducing and relieving the withdrawal symptoms.
We constantly overload our bodies with toxins. Some of these are cigarette smoke, pesticides, alcohol, caffeine, food additives, anger etc.
Toxins that build up in our system over the years can lead to bloating, fatigue, headaches, weight gain and a general feeling of disease. The benefits of removing these toxins are endless including:
- better sleep
- more energy
- less stress
- letting go of addictions
- changing our habits to encourage great health and well-being
What is Counseling?
Holistic Counseling holds the view that each individual has within themselves the resources they need for growth, and is capable of achieving their potential and by applying the core conditions growth is achieved more easily.
Within the counseling relationship the aim is to provide the client with the three core conditions which are regarded as necessary for sufficient therapeutic change to occur.
The first is unconditional positive regard means that the counselor accepts the client unconditionally and is non-judgmental towards them; the client is then free to explore all thoughts and feelings without fear of rejection. Empathy means that the counselor accurately understands the client's thoughts, feelings and meanings from the clients perspective, this kind of understanding helps the client feel that they are valued and accepted. Congruence means that the counselor is authentic and genuine towards the client.
Applying the core conditions will allow the client to grow in their own way, to strengthen and expand their own identity and to move towards becoming the person that they truly are.
What you might expect from counseling
People need counseling for many different reasons, but it is usually at times when they are experiencing difficulties in their lives from problems in their relationships, bereavement, illness, stress, feeling stuck in a rut, lack of confidence, depression, addictions and many more.
What is life coaching?
Successful coaching is brought about through the relationship between client and coach, when this is firmly in place then the process of coaching begins to flow more naturally and easily. You'll be able to discuss your dreams and ideas in a non-judgmental atmosphere and plan specific actions to work towards your goals. Life coaching will help you to identify your personal beliefs, values and goals, and provides you with the support and encouragement you need to fulfill them.
Life Coaching is an effective way of helping you to achieve the clarity and the confidence you need to help you work through issues that hold you back from achieving your potential and living your life to the full.
Life coaching provides you with a variety of choices and helps you find the inner resources you need to bring about the most positive and desired change.
Coaching provides a confidential and supportive environment which is essential for the process of change. It helps you to define your goals, and break them down into manageable stages which help you to consistently progress at a pace that's right for you.
Coaching helps you to focus on three main areas which are;
- Where you are now,
- Where you want to be and
- How you will get there.
The Benefits of Life Coaching
- Helps to improve your sense of focus and direction.
- Improves self awareness.
- Increases motivation.
- Helps build your self esteem.
- Gives you more confidence.
- Supports you through change.
- Helps with personal and professional development.
- Enables you to deal with stress more effectively.
Why Have Coaching?
One of the main reasons a person might choose to have coaching is because they are unhappy with their present situation and wish to improve or change it in some way.
Coaching helps you to identify the goals that you previously may not have been aware of, giving you clarity, focus and direction, resulting in change that is both positive and long lasting.
Coaching is about moving forward with confidence and attaining your goals at a pace that's right for you, it raises your awareness that you are responsible for your life and are empowered to make those changes with the right kind of support, encouragement and motivation.
Auricular Acupuncture and Detox
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years, however auricular acupuncture was only discovered in 1973 by a DR, H L Wen of Hong Kong, he was working on a patient in hospital using acupuncture and was using a particular point in the ear (the lung) which was for the relief of post operative pain, and noticed that it had an improving effect on the relief of the withdrawal symptoms of a recovering opiate user. Then it was noted to also help those recovering from alcohol addictions. Many clinical trials were used and the benefits recorded, and today auricular acupuncture is widely used in treating addictions, and the symptoms of withdrawal including anxiety and stress as well as promoting well being.
In 1985 The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association ( NADA) was established to promote education and training within substance abuse and alcohol and drug services. The five point protocol was mainly developed to assist detoxification, withdrawal and relapse prevention from drugs and alcohol.
Auricular Acupuncture, does more than reduce the experience of pain quickly; it also facilitates the body's own internal healing processes.
Auricular Acupuncture, like most complementary therapies, deals with the underlying problem and not just the symptoms of the problem.
Auricular Acupuncture treatment raises the body's levels of endorphins which are a natural pain killer within the body, and can raise the body's pain threshold by a large percent.
Treatment of Auricular Acupuncture
The treatment consists of inserting five small sterile needles into each ear for up to 40 minutes; the needles are placed into points relating to some of the body's major organs, which include the lungs, the liver, the sympathetic nervous system, and the kidneys. The treatment has an affect on the organ/body functions concerned with cleansing and balancing the body. The treatment involves sitting in a quiet peaceful atmosphere, where relaxation can happen quite quickly. Treatment can last for up to forty minutes and should be a pleasant experience, when the treatment is finished the practitioner may place small studs in the same places of the acupuncture sites in the ears in order to continue the effect of the treatment over the next few days.
The Acupuncture Points
Sympathetic Point - corresponds to the autonomic nervous system.
- It alleviates stress.
- It is a pain killer for the intestines.
- Helps with night sweats.
- Nervous system is a powerful stress response in the mind and the organs of the body. Anxiety gives way to calmness
Shen Men Point - known as the spirit gate.
- It alleviates anxiety.
- Controls nervousness.
- Has relaxing effect.
- Helps to bring the energy of the heart into balance.
- Helps with insomnia,
- Lowers blood pressure.
- Harmonizes the liver
- Reduces sensitivity.
- Impatience and moodiness gives way to calmness
Kidney Point - known as the essential source of energy.
- Alleviates toxicity in the kidneys.
- Is related to life force and longevity.
- Improves memory.
- Improves willpower
- Strengthens self worth.
- Strengthens the spine.
- Aids brain tissue.
- Invigorates digestion.
- Fear is the associated temperament
- Fear anguish and paranoia give rise to awareness and gentleness
Liver - rules the flow of life force energy
- Elevates toxicity in the blood and liver.
- This energy is known to keep everything running smoothly.
- Stabilizes impulsive behavior and mood swings.
- Regulates the blood circulation.
- Helps clears dizzy spells
Lungs - rules the life force energy
- Alleviates toxicity in the immune system.
- Helps respiration and skin function.
- The lungs are the very balance of life force and are a nourishing organ.
- Regulates body temperature.
- Controls breathing.
- Helps with mentally letting go.
- Helps edema.
- Promotes oxygenation of the blood.
- Grief and sadness give way to courage and hope.
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