What is Acupuncture (AcuTherapy)?
Acupuncture therapy is the method of treatment based on influencing the body by inserting needles, applying pressure, putting beads, or using a tuning fork on the specific points of human body, called acupoints.
Click here for a brief history of acupuncture.
Will Acupuncture (AcuTherapy) work for my condition?
Being that Chinese medicine is a complete system with a comprehensive theory and way of understanding the body, an acupuncturist can offer help for most conditions. There are, of course, many variables that will determine whether or not you will get relief for your condition. The best way to find out is to talk with your acupuncturist and then try it!
What does Acupuncture (AcuTherapy) feel like?
Acupuncture needles are smooth, metallic, solid, and hair-thin. People experience acupuncture differently, so when the needles are inserted most feel only a slight sensation or nothing at all. Once the needles are in place, you may feel a sensation of heaviness, warmth, a dull ache or throbbing at and around the site of the needle, or in other parts of the body. Some people are energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed.
Movement of the patient, active techniques, or sore areas that are needled can cause soreness or a heavy feeling during treatment. It is important to speak up to your acupuncturist to let them know how you are feeling.
Always seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner.
What is the first visit like?
When you make your first appointment at AcuHaus you will get a confirmation email that will allow you to complete your Informed consent to treatment and liabilty waiver online.
When you arrive at AcuHaus you will be warmly greeted, have your temperature and pulse oximetry taken, and your personal contact information will be verified. If you have any outstanding forms these will also be completed. After this is complete Dr. Angie will take you to your AcuTherapy station, where you will sit in a lounge-style recliner and start to relax.
She will ask about your health history, take your pulse, look at your tongue, discuss your session goals, brief you on your acupuncture session, answer any questions and provide treatment. The treatment lasts approximately 25 minutes once the needles have all been placed. In total your session will last 1 hour.
After your session, Dr. Angie will answer any of your questions, provide you with a treatment plan and guide you to the lobby. The receptionist will assist you in booking your next appointment and discuss the most affordable way for you to follow your treatment plan.
What should I wear to my appointment?
We advise you to wear clothing that can be moved to allow access to your elbows and knees. Most of the acupuncture points that your practioner will use will be from your elbows down and knees down. They also commonly place them on your head, face or ears as it pertains to your unique situation.
Does AcuHaus accept insurance?
AcuHaus is able to accept payments from your FSA or HSA cards.
What are some conditions treated effectively by Acupuncture (AcuTherapy)?
Several years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) published an official report listing 31 symptoms, conditions and diseases that have been shown in controlled trials to be treated effectively by Acupuncture. There are many other conditions that are effectively treated with Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, but they may not be listed in this report. Talk to your practitioner to find out if your symptoms can be effectively treated.
Following is the list of conditions shown through controlled trials to be treated effectively by Acupuncture (in alphabetical order):
Allergic rhinitis
Bacillary dysentery (acute)
Biliary colic
Breech birth presentation
Chemotherapy reactions
Dental pain
Depression
Dysmenorrhea (primary)
Epigastralgia (acute)
Facial pain
Gastritis (acute & chronic)
Hay fever
Headache
Hypertension (essential)
Hypotension (primary)
Induction of labor
Knee pain
Leucopenia
Low back pain
Morning sickness
Nausea and vomiting
Neck pain
Peptic ulcer
Postoperative pain
Radiation reactions
Renal colic
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sciatica
Shoulder (peri-arthritis)
Sprains
Stroke
Tennis elbow
TMJ
This landmark report, Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, is available on the WHO website for download as a printable PDF file (see link at end of this article).
SOURCE:
Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, World Health Organization, 2003
Is it okay to get Acupuncture (AcuTherapy) if I’m receiving other treatments or taking medications?
Absolutely!
Acupuncture is a highly effective co-therapy for treating many conditions. During your initial intake be sure to let your practitioner know what medications you are taking and what other types of treatments you are receiving. If you have medication changes after that initial intake, please update your practitioner.
What are AcuHaus's policies regarding Covid-19?
Key highlights from AcuHaus's Covid-19 Preparedness Plan:
~All persons will be required to wear a mask over their mouth and nose prior to entering AcuHaus and the mask will need to stay on for the duration of time within the building.
~All persons will be required to wash or sanitize their hands upon entering AcuHaus.
~If you have cold/flu symptoms, a fever, cough, new loss of tast or smell or have had known exposure to someone with (or presumed) Covid-19 we are not able to allow you into our facility.
~Only one person will be treated at a time unless if you are of the same household. Please contact our office directly to make an appt for more than one person.
~HEPA with UV air filters are run continuously in the treatment areas and lobby.
~High level disenfectant is used to clean all treatment areas, surfaces, and equipment between patients.
~The waiting room is closed, and we ask that you wait in your vehicle until your appointment time. No guests are allowed to wait for you inside the clinic.
~Enter/Wait signage on the window and front door will let you know if we are ready for you to enter the facility. The front door remains locked while clients are being treated to manage the flow of who is entering.
To read the entire plan please
click here.
Can children/teens benefit from Chinese medicine?
Chinese medicine for children/teens has helped with a wide range of ailments, from headaches, stomachaches, back pain, depression, anxiety, the effects of ADHD, sports injuries and many other frequent health concerns. It is a safe alternative to pharmaceuticals and it is safe in conjuction with pharmaceuticals. Increasingly more parents are turning to acupuncture as an effective and necessary method of reestablishing and maintaining health within their children’s constitution.
At AcuHaus, we allow the child to help guide their therapy. Many children prefer the use of tuning forks, ear beads, acupressure, and cupping to the use of needles.
What if I am nervous about needles? Do I have to have needles?
There are other therapies that can address your concerns without the use of needles. Here are some of the therapies we use at AcuHaus:
AcuPressure:
Applying pressure with the hands on the acupoints.
Tuning Forks:
A tuning fork can be put on the acupoints to affect the system in the same ways as needle insertion.
Ear seeds/pellets:
Seeds and/or pellets can be placed on the acupoints on the ear or body.
Guasha:
Using a tool to rub the skin in long strokes, applying enough pressure to create redness along the affected area. This is often utilized for muscle soreness or tendonitis.
Tuina:
Chinese medical massage promotes balance and harmony within the body using many of the same principles of acupuncture. It targets specific acupoints, but practitioners use fingers instead of needles to apply pressure to stimulate these points.
