FAQs
What is acupuncture & East Asian medicine?
The theory & practice of acupuncture is based on oriental medicine (also known as traditional Chinese medicine), a comprehensive natural health care system that has been used in Asian countries for thousands of years to preserve health & prevent illness.
Proper physiological function & health depend on the circulation of nutrients, substances, & energy called Qi (pronounced “chee”) that run through a network of channels or meridians. This network provides regulation & balance of the physiological process.
Illness occurs when the flow of Qi is blocked or disrupted. This can be from injuries, medication side effects, poor diet, overwork, & emotions. Stimulation of acupuncture points using fine needles on the meridians help to restore health & balance to the body while relieving pain & other symptoms. The purpose is to eliminate or alleviate symptoms as well as treat the underlying cause & improve the quality of life.
Western medicine views acupuncture points as areas of designated electrical sensitivity. Needle insertion at specific locations ignite sensory receptors, stimulating nerves that transmit impulses to the hypothalamic-pituitary system. This system is responsible for releasing the body’s natural pain-killing hormones known as neurotransmitters & endorphins.
Fun fact- It is estimated that endorphins are 33 times more potent than morphine! Endorphins help regulate the hormonal system too. This is why acupuncture works well for conditions like arthritis and back pain as well as infertility & menopause. The whole body is relaxed during an acupuncture session due to the substances being released during a treatment. This includes serotonin which plays a role in emotions & mood.
More than 15 million Americans have tried acupuncture since the 1970’s when acupuncture & Oriental medicine first became available in the United States. The side effects of acupuncture are low & the benefits are high.
How should I prepare for my sessions?
Arrive 10 minutes early. There is convenient parking at 720 North Blvd in the Avenue Parking Garage or street parking is available on Oak Park Avenue.
Make sure all forms are filled out prior* to your visit. The time your appointment is set for is the time you should be ready & on the table to avoid having any time deducted from your visit.
Wear loose fitting clothing for easy access to the arms, stomach, & legs for the insertion of needles. If you are unable to do so, drapes or sheets will be available.
Eat a snack or light meal before your scheduled session to give your body energy for the treatment.
Treatment Precautions: Bruising may occasionally occur after needling. If you have a bleeding disorder, taking blood-thinning medications, pregnant, or have a pacemaker please inform the practitioner for the appropriate herbs, supplements, & acupuncture points to be chosen.
What can I expect during my visit?
During your first visit, a consultation will be done discussing a combination of Chinese & modern medicine, your medical history, chief complaints, exercise patterns, goals, & lifestyle. To make the most of your visit, any labs from your physicians should be uploaded along with your new patient paper work to go over together.
The nature of your problem will be explained, a treatment plan recommended, & an anticipated prognosis (outcome) will be determined. Many modalities encompass traditional Chinese medicine including: dry needling, cupping, gua sha/scraping, TDP lamp heat therapy, electric stimulation, topical liniments, tui na, breathing exercises, & acupressure.The TDP lamps used help increase microcirculation, loosen fascia & muscles, & helps to expedite the innate curative process. The TDP lamps also support the reduction of pain & spur cell regeneration.
It is recommended to evaluate your progress after each session & assess your level of relief & response to treatment. The number of treatments depends upon the duration, severity, & nature of your health condition. The goal is to balance your system to maintain superlative health. In Chinese medicine, we seek to solve the root of the problem.
A typical acupuncture series lasts for at least twelve treatments. After the optimal response has been achieved patients can lessen their treatments to every two weeks & then move to monthly visits for maintenance. Since our bodies are continually under stress, it’s recommended that you come in at least once every time the seasons change to maintain your health & well-being & to strengthen your Wei qi or immune system.
During your visit, unique diagnostic techniques such as taking your pulse on both wrists, observing your tongue, complexion, & other signs will be done. The pulse is taken to “tune in” to the strength & flow of the meridians & channels. The tongue is shown to reveal the state of your body’s organs which is vital to formulate a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis. Tui na (pronounced "twee naw"), which means "pinch and pull," refers to a wide range of TCM therapeutic massage & body work. It is used to more so harmonize yin & yang than for pleasure by manipulating the Qi in the acupuncture channels. Tui na is one of the most popular TCM treatment modalities used as a therapy for superficial trauma, injury, & a wide variety of musculoskeletal problems. When acupuncture is inappropriate for children, tui na can be administered.
Contemporary acupuncture needles are stainless steel, ultra fine, presterilized, disposable (single use), & between half an inch & three inches long. When the needles are inserted into the skin, sensations may vary depending on the location (hands & feet tend to be more sensitive), the condition being treated, & the acupuncturist’s approach. Needles are usually left in about 20-40 minutes with the goal of encouraging the body’s natural healing process by normalizing the circulation of Qi & stimulating energy points. Electroacupuncture may be done during treatment that also vitalizes the needles by sending an electric current through the needles by attached electrodes.
Are treatments safe?
When administered by a licensed acupuncturist, East Asian medicine & its modalities are safe forms of therapy. Licensed acupuncturists in Illinois are trained with nearly 3,000 hours of didactic & clinical coursework in both acupuncture & Chinese herbal medicine. Licensed acupuncturists are certified in Clean Needle Technique, which requires the adherence to strict safety guidelines such as the use of sterile, disposable needles to minimize the risk of infection.
The Food & Drug Administration regards acupuncture needles as medical devices. Licensed acupuncturists practice universal precautions like other medical providers & adhere to OSHA Safety Standards.