Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What can acupuncture treat?
A. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treat many conditions including serious and complex medical problems. Acupuncture can also be used as preventative medicine and treating overall immune system response. Here is a list of just some of the things treated:
Eye Ear nose and Throat Disorders
- Sore Throat
- Hay Fever
- Earache Nerve Deafness
- Tinnitus
- Dizziness
- Poor Eyesight
Circulatory Disorders
- High Blood Pressure
- Angina Pectoris
- Arteriosclerosis
- Anemia
Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Spastic Colon
- Colitis
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Food Allergies
- Ulcers
- Gastritis
- Abdominal Bloating
- Hemorrhoids
Gynecological/ Genitourinary Disorders
- Premenstrual Syndrome
- Irregular, Heavy or Painful Menstruation
- Endometriosis
- Menopause
- Fibroid
- Chronic Bladder Infection
- Complications in Pregnancy
- Morning Sickness
- Kidney Stones
- Impotence
- Infertility in Men and Women
- Sexual Dysfunction
Immune Disorders
- Candida
- Chronic Fatigue
- HIV and AIDS
- Epstein Barr
- Allergies
- Lupus
- MS
- Hepatitis
Addiction
- Smoking Cessation
- Drugs
- Alcohol
Emotional and Psychological Disorders
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Depression
Musculoskeletal and Neurological Disorders
- Arthritis
- Neuralgia
- Sciatica
- Back Pain
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Stiff Neck
- Bells Palsy
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Headache and Migraines
- Stroke
- Cerebral Palsy
- Polio
- Sprains
- Muscles Spasms
- Shingles
Respiratory Disorders
- Asthma
- Emphysema
- Bronchitis
- Colds and Flus
Miscellaneous
- Chemotherapy/Radiation Side Effects
- Diabetes
- Weight Control
- Dermatological Disorders
Q. How does acupuncture work?
A. Acupuncture stimulates specific points on the body, which are related to meridians. These meridians or channels connect all of our major organs. In Chinese Medical theory illness occurs when the flow of Qi in the meridians becomes blocked or unbalanced.
Western medicine recognizes that acupuncture points are found on areas of electrical sensitivity. When needles are inserted at these points certain sensory receptors are stimulated, this stimulation of nerves creates a chain of impulses to hypothalamic-pituitary system at the base of the brain.
The hypothalamus-pituitary glands release neurotransmitters and endorphins, which act as the body’s natural pain-killing hormones. The endorphins are also helpful in the functioning of the entire hormonal system.
Acupuncture regulates and relaxes the whole body due to the regulation of serotonin in the brain.
There is scientific proof that acupuncture increases circulation, decreases inflammation, relieves pain, increases T-cell count and relieves muscles spasms.
Q. Is acupuncture tax deductible?
A. Yes! Acupuncture and herbal medicine are deductible as a medical expense.
Acupuncture is by definition a medical expense that is categorized as: "the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, or prevention of diseases, and the costs for treatments affecting any part of the body. They include the costs of equipment supplies, and diagnostic devices needed for these purposes."
Q. Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
A. Yes, many insurance policies cover acupuncture and related services such as herbal medicines. I do not bill the insurance company directly but I will provide an invoice, which I have my patients submit to their insurance company that will then reimburse the patient directly.
Q. Are there side effects from acupuncture?
A. Usually not, although I tell my patients that they may feel tired after the visit, not always, but this is not a bad sign. The body is responding to the needles and rest may help the healing process. Acupuncture is safe and encourages the body to promote natural healing with out negative side effects.
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