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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Got Questions? Get Answers!

Find the answer to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about our care and services.

Acupuncture is scientifically proven for more than 300 health conditions. Decades of research studies show the efficacy of acupuncture versus a placebo and there are centuries of empirical evidence. Recent research has shown us more about how acupuncture works physiologically. In traditional Chinese acupuncture, there are as many as 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body. Needles inserted in specific combinations at these points interact with the fascial network (our internal messenger system) to alter brain chemistry. For example, to reduce pain, acupuncture points will tell your brain to increase endorphins, which are the body’s painkillers. Acupuncture can also balance hormone levels or regulate cortisol, better known as the fight or flight response triggered by stress and anxiety.
Acupuncture is an ancient system of complementary medicine that’s worked to keep people healthy for over 2,500 years. Acupuncture is the gentle insertion of hair-thin needles at key points on the body. These needles interact with the fascial network (our internal messenger system) to alter brain chemistry and stimulate internal responses, such as regulating hormones like cortisol, releasing pain-relieving endorphins, increasing circulation, reducing inflammation and more. Primary acupuncture benefits include managing pain, digestion, sleep and hormone-related health--as well as mental health issues like stress, anxiety and depression.
TCM naturally supports the healing process using three keys: acupuncture, herbal remedies and cupping therapy. Though commonly used together as a powerful holistic approach, each can be just as dynamic on their own. TCM believes the processes of the human body are interrelated and connected to the surrounding environment. And so, it treats the underlying root of health issues rather than the symptoms on the surface--all while strengthening the body’s internal defenses and enhancing its ability to sustain optimal health.
Acupuncture for anxiety. Acupuncture for migraines. Acupuncture for depression. Acupuncture for lower back pain. Acupuncture for fertility. The list goes on and on--with over 300 use cases in total, according to the World Health Organization. You don’t need to be sick or injured to see some serious benefits from acupuncture. In fact, regular maintenance is a powerful way of staying healthy. If you’re busy and always on the go with zero time to get sick, acupuncture is a great way to ward off fatigue, soothe sore muscles, minimize stress and anxiety and majorly boost immunity. Acupuncture has healed for millennia, and been clinically proven to treat hundreds of medical conditions. Major areas that can be healed by acupuncture: pain (from head to toe, but more commonly neck, back + shoulder pain plus migraines), women’s health (PMS, fertility + menopause), digestion, insomnia and men’s health (sex drive + erectile dysfunction).

Our treatments are designed with your comfort and relaxation in mind. The needles are very thin, the width of a couple of strands of your hair. Most individuals experience little or no pain and many people report feeling either energized or pleasantly relaxed following a treatment.

Acupuncture is an extremely safe therapeutic procedure. Our experience, training, and remaining current in the profession ensure you are being given the best care possible. Your safety and well-being is our primary concern. We use the highest-quality disposable equipment available. We encourage our patients to continue current treatments, therapies, and medications as advised by their physician.

Acupuncture is great during pregnancy because it can help with nausea, morning sickness, lower back pain, anxiety, insomnia and pre-baby jitters--not to mention that it’s a much-needed moment of “me time.” Acupuncture is also great after pregnancy for exhaustion, balancing hormone levels, depression and anxiety.. Because there are some points that are contraindicated during pregnancy, it is important to inform your practitioner if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant.

Apart from the usual medical details, it is important that you let your practitioner know:

  • If you get lightheaded easily.
  • If you have a pacemaker or any other electrical implants.
  • Whether you have a bleeding disorder.
  • If you are taking anti-coagulants or any other medication.
  • If you have damaged heart valves or have any other particular risk of infection.

PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) has been a widely utilized technology by NASA, the VA, John Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic, among others, for decades. PEMF has been considered an effective and non-invasive way to relieve pain for over 60 years, primarily in a clinical setting with over 10,000 clinical studies supporting its effectiveness.

When cells become distressed from disease, trauma or toxins, they lose their ability to function efficiently. PEMF uses electromagnetic waves that pulse on precise frequencies enabling cells to recover their ability to create energy, function and reproduce.

There are many different possible uses for PEMF Therapy and PEMF devices. In addition to the many different pain relief uses mentioned above, these devices have also been proven to be effective for treating depression, anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia.
Quite the opposite. You relax on a massage table or chair, and the PEMF machine does all the work, flooding your body with a pulsed electromagnetic field. It’s so peaceful, you may even fall asleep during treatment.
  • Nikola Tesla developed the PEMF technology in the 1880s. It has been used successfully for more than 70 years in other countries.
  • In America, PEMF has been FDA-cleared for several indications – including
    • Bone growth
    • Non-union fractures
    • Post-operative edema and pain
    • Cervical fusion surgery
    • Treatment-resistant depression and anxiety
  • One large-scale study was done in European countries from 1999-2002. Over 1000 patients were followed after receiving PEMF. Results showed large-scale improvement in arthritis, depression, diabetes type II, edema, fibromyalgia, fractures, general pain, headaches (both migraine and non-migraine), heart disease, hypertension, immune system disorders, incontinence and bladder problems, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, rheumatism, sleep disorders, spinal column diseases, stomach disorders, strokes, tennis elbow, tinnitus, fatigue, ulcers, and wound healing.
  • NASA uses PEMF for strengthening and restoring the bones and muscles of astronauts who have experienced extended periods of weightlessness or physical stress.
Please let us know if you are pregnant, an organ transplant recipient, use a non-MRI safe IUD, have or use a pacemaker, hearing aid, or other electronic implants/devices.
Cupping therapy uses suction to put negative pressure on connective tissue and muscles to increase circulation, relax stiff muscles, and assist with detoxification. It is often referred to as a reverse massage.
Historically, Chinese cupping was performed with glass cups and a flame to create a vacuum. For ease and safety, and to get the amount of pressure just right, we use plastic cups and a suction gun instead.
Cupping therapy works wonders for pain, stiffness, detoxing, phlegm in the lungs, relaxing or fast-forwarding through the symptoms when you’re under the weather.
While cup marks are technically a bruise, it’s important to know that cup marks aren’t tender or painful at all. They vary in color from light pink to deep red. The lighter the mark, the faster it fades. And some people won’t see any marks at all. To make them go away faster: drink lots of water, get a massage, apply arnica, do some cardio or relax in a hot bath with Epsom salts.
  • Be on time: Please arrive five minutes early.
  • Use the bathroom before being called in for your appointment.
  • Enough time: Allow 50 minutes for your appointment.
  • Punctuality: If you arrive more than ten minutes late, you will be rescheduled.
  • Medication: Continue to take all prescription drugs as directed by your doctor.
  • Alcohol/drugs: Please refrain from using alcohol or drugs during your sessions. Substance use can interfere with the effectiveness of acupuncture.
  • Clothing: it is best to wear shorts or loose clothing so that the arms and legs below the elbows and knees, as well as the abdomen, are accessible.
  • Concerns: Please feel free to discuss any concerns with your licensed acupuncturist.
  • 5-10 Years of Education
  • 2-4 years of undergrad (science courses are a prerequisite for acupuncture programs)
  • 3-4 years for Masters (MAC, MSTOM - just acupuncture or with herbal medicine training)
  • 1-2 years for Doctorate (DAC, DACM, DAOM) - optional
  • Written Board exams are required to become licensed

Functional medicine is a science-based health care approach to assess, prevent and treat complex chronic diseases. It is a new model of medicine that has evolved through the efforts of scientists and clinicians from the fields of clinical nutrition, molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, conventional medicine, and a wide array of scientific disciplines. Functional medicine evaluates the body as a whole with special attention to the relationship of one body system to another and the nutrient imbalances and toxic overload that may adversely affect these relationships.
The vast majority of modern-day illness is not from acute illness that can be easily diagnosed and treated. Most illness is chronic and almost always preceded by a lengthy period of declining function in one or more of the body's systems.

Functional medicine is a new clinical model in which illness is addressed by identifying specific dysfunctions that have contributed to the disease state. Those dysfunctions are, for each of us, the result of lifelong interactions among our environment, our lifestyle and our genetic predispositions.

It doesn’t matter what your condition is, because we focus on the person with the condition, not the condition itself. Whether you have Fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, ANY kind of digestive disorder, chronic stress, hormone imbalance, or you just want to be proactive and prevent yourself from developing the conditions and ill-health states you see around you, we can help!
Yes. Since Functional Medicine looks at the body’s functions to identify root causes of health conditions, the only way to really tell for sure what’s going on is to run various types of testing. Clinical lab testing is used to uncover early signs of diabetes, adrenal burnout, liver problems, even dementia. We can discover underlying issues such as parasites, immune system disturbances, yeast, candida, autoimmune disorders, and more.

Yes, we often recommend nutritional supplements to patients in conjunction with lifestyle and dietary modification. We rely on scientifically based studies to guide our therapeutic decisions regarding nutritional supplementation. We have researched high-quality nutritional products and carry only those products that undergo rigorous quality testing by nutritional research laboratories. These products are often of higher quality than those sold over the counter and are free of fillers, allergens, and additives.