What is Chinese Medicine? What is Acupuncture? What does Acupuncture treat? How should I prepare? What should I expect during my first treatment? Why does an Acupuncturist listen to the pulse and look at the tongue? Do I Accept Insurance? Chinese Medicine is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical systems in the world. Chinese Medicine promotes the natural healing qualities in the human body. It can enhance the body’s ability to recuperate and support the immune system, balance physical and emotional health, and improve overall function and well-being. A Chinese medical practitioner might use a combination of acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, massage, herbal medicine, Qi Gong, and dietary and lifestyle recommendations to treat you. It is a safe and effective way to treat a wide variety of problems. The actual Chinese character for acupuncture, translated literally, means "acupuncture-moxibustion. Today acupuncture refers to the use of fine sterile needles at specific acupoints on the body. Moxibustion refers to the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb indirectly or directly on acupoints to warm and stimulate the acupoint. Both acupuncture and moxibustion are use to strengthen and detoxify the body, stimulate the flow of qi, and maintain general health. Acupuncture, within the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine, focuses primarily on the person, and secondarily on the illness. The Classical Acupuncturist usually views your symptoms (the reason you are coming for treatment) as a 'branch' expression of an underlying or 'root' imbalance. Therefore a certain symptom can have different causes in different people. That is why acupuncture treatments are tailored for each individual. Because Acupunture treats the whole person, it has something to offer almost every condition. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization acupuncture is effective in treating a wide variety of medical problems. Here is a list of a few of the conditions acupuncture is effective in treating: Pain Infertility Impotence Headache Migraine Hypertension Prostate Enlargement Addiction, Allergies Menstrual Irregularities PMS Morning Sickness Menopause Fibromyalgia Mental Disorders Sleep Disorders High Blood Pressure Stroke, Cough Asthma Digestive Disorders, Palliative Care, and Prevention/Immune Support. If you do not see your condition on this list please contact us. • Come with any questions you have-we’re here to help you. • Wear loose, comfortable clothing for easy access to acupuncture points. Make sure you have eaten something, however avoid large meals right before treatment Refrain from overexertion, working out, drugs, alcohol, sex, and cold showers and drafts 2 hours before and after the visit.
 
A full health history will be taken including the checking of your pulse and tongue to get an overall picture of your health. Depending on the condition you wish to have treated a physical exam may be conducted. Following the initial intake a treatment including acupuncture, moxibustion, and/or massage will follow. The first appointment will take between one and a half to two hours. The pulse and the tongue are an Acupuncturist ‘s diagnostic tools. They are small windows to see what is happening in your whole body, microcosms of the macrocosms. The pulse and tongue can give practitioner information about the disease, past history of the patient, and the patient’s lifestyle. As of now I am only able to provide a Superbill, which I will gladly provided with proper ICU Codes. Always make sure your provider accepts Superbills prior to your appointment. Will acupuncture interfere with any of the medications I am currently taking? Acupuncture is not contraindicated with medications, in fact acupuncture is often very effective at supporting the body's ability to process the medications and is helpful in reducing the side effects. As a primary care provider it is important that you tell your acupuncturist all the medications and treatments you are currently on and used in the past. It is also encouraged and recommended that you also tell your Medical Doctor that you are receiving acupuncture.