FAQs
Is acupuncture safe?
When
performed by a qualified and well-trained practitioner, acupuncture is
one of the safest treatment options available today. Acupuncture works
by stimulating the body at specific points intending to facilitate the
body’s own healing process. It is a natural therapy with virtually no
negative side effects (although, you may experience positive ones!). It
is designed to reverse and/or prevent the progression of pain and/or
disease. This may benefit those who have chronic pain or illnesses, an
acute injury, are taking medications (to reduce or possibly eliminate
the need), are avoiding having to take medications, or would like a
boost in health and overall well-being.
When
most people think of needles, they think of hypodermic needles and
immediately associate them with pain. Most are put off by the thought
of trying acupuncture for the first time because of their fear of the
needles. Acupuncture needles are not at all like hypodermic needles.
They are very fine (25-50x's thinner than hypodermic needles) and they
are often described as being not much thicker than a human hair.
Typically,
during a treatment, you may feel a brief (and mild), ache, heaviness,
’tingling sensation’ or warmth at the needle site. This is considered
the "Qi" sensation and is totally normal. In fact, we want you to feel
this sensation during your treatment. By and large, patients describe
the initial sensations as fleeting and the long term sensations as
deeply relaxing. After insertion, most patients just relax and often
fall asleep for the remainder of the session and report a sense of
renewal and ease at the conclusion of the treatment.
If I am already receiving another form of treatment, can I still come in for acupuncture?
Yes,
of course. Combining acupuncture with chiropractic, physical therapy,
massage therapy or any other related modality definitely has its
benefits. You don't have to choose just one. This is a powerful system
of healing that complements "conventional" treatment as well. The two
systems of medicine work in very different ways but can be used
successfully to enhance one another. Using both Eastern and Western
medicine together is a big step towards true integrative healthcare.
What do herbs do? Are herbs safe?
Herbs
are prescribed with a focus restoring balance by nourishing the body to
treat a particular imbalance or Chinese medical condition. Herbs are
generally gentle and natural and therefore often require a few days to
demonstrate their full effect. Chinese herbal remedies may be
prescribed in raw form, granules, powders, concentrated capsules, or tea
pills.
When herbs are prescribed by a well-trained and
well-educated practitioner, Chinese herbs are very effective and safe.
Careful attention is always paid to dosage, combination of herbs, as
well as any known drug-herb interactions. At Stepping Stone, we only
prescribe herbal medicines that come from companies who abide by GMP
practices.
How do I get the most out of my treatments?
Commit
to a full course of treatment - acupuncture has a cumulative effect and
in order to get better and stay better, it's important to be
consistent. Herbal medicine often requires a full course of treatment in
order to see lasting benefits. Pay attention to your day-to-day health -
keep track of what is going on with your body everyday. Before you
know it, you will be noticing subtle changes.
Relax. We live in a
very active, busy and often pressured society; it is hard to maintain
any kind of balance between activity and relaxation without making a
conscious and consistent effort to slow down sometimes. Find something
that is calming that you enjoy doing - meditating, yoga/qi gong,
listening to music, cooking, reading, gardening, etc. People tend to
lose sight of the importance of this in daily life.
Exercise -
problems occur when "Qi" or energy is stagnant in the body. One cause
of this is from infrequent or inadequate activity. Regular exercise can
aid in the healing process, but is also pertinent in cardiovascular
health and overall well-being. Commit to making lifestyle adjustments as
suggested - while receiving regular acupuncture treatments, you will
notice that your practitioner suggests things like avoiding certain
foods, increasing certain activities, adjusting your sleep schedule, or
eliminating daily stressors.
Committing to healing yourself will greatly reinforce your acupuncture and herbal medicine treatments!
