What to expect?
Your first visit requires approximately an hour and fifteen minutes. During this time you will have an opportunity to speak at length about your health concerns. Your practitioner will do an intensive intake interview covering your medical and social histories as well as a review of your systems. After this, a physical exam will take place, as well as an akabane (heat) treatment.

How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments needed differs from person to person. For complex or long-standing conditions, one or two treatments per week for several months may be recommended.

For acute problems, usually fewer visits are required. For health maintenance, four sessions a year (or seasonal tune-ups) may be all that is necessary.

What are the side effects?
Usually, there are no side effects. As energy is redirected in the body, internal chemicals and hormones are stimulated and healing begins to take place. Occasionally, the original symptoms worsen for a few days. Other general changes such as appetite, sleep, bowel or urination pattern, or emotional state may be triggered.

These should not cause concern, as they are simply indications that the acupuncture is starting to work.

Does it hurt?
Often people are interested in acupuncture, but are afraid of needles. However, the tiny, sterile, disposable filament needles used for acupuncture bear no resemblance to painful hypodermic needles, and insertion is virtually painless. Brief needling sensations vary from a pinching or stinging sensation, to a numbness or distension and are a sign that the treatment is having a positive effect. In fact, most people find acupuncture treatments relaxing and refreshing.

Traditional Acupuncture
Acupuncture originated in ancient China over three thousand years ago. As a healing art, acupuncture has been used all over the world for centuries and is the primary source for health care for approximately one third of the world’s population. The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems including:

The Relationship Between Acupuncture and Other Medical Care
Acupuncture is complementary to Western medicine. People who are under the care of a physician should continue treatment, including taking prescription medicines, according to their physician’s directions.

The Benefits of Five Element Acupuncture
According to principals of Chinese medicine, physical symptoms are viewed as warning signs of a deeper underlying imbalance. The focus of Traditional (or Five Element) Acupuncture is on balancing the underlying causative factors rather than suppressing the symptoms.

Acupuncture effectively treats a variety of health concerns, including: headaches, allergies, insomnia, back pain, menstrual difficulties, digestive disorders, addictions, stress, and depression. Changes can be dramatic or subtle. The more severe or long-standing the condition is, the longer it may take to treat. In addition to cessation of symptoms, healing may occur on many levels. Many people notice a variety of signs of improved general health and well being, such as increased ability to relax, improved sleep, emotional balance, and positive changes in bodily functions. Acupuncture can prepare the body for surgery as well as speed the healing process after an operation, major illness, or accident. Acupuncture may also be used as it was in ancient China, for health maintenance and preventative care.