How does acupuncture work?

What does acupuncture feel like?

How long is a treatment? How many sessions will I need?

Are herbs safe?

What is the payment policy?

What is the cancellation policy?

What about my insurance?

How does acupuncture work?

A. There are many biochemical and biophysical theories attempting to explain acupuncture’s efficacy. There is no single theory that can explain acupuncture’s extensive range of regulatory effects. The 1997 NIH (National Institute of Health) Consensus Statement on Acupuncture reports that "studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can cause multiple biological responses, mediated mainly by sensory neurons to many structures within the central nervous system. This can lead to activation of pathways affecting various physiological systems in the brain as well as in the periphery." The statement further proposes that acupuncture "may activate the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, resulting in a broad spectrum of systemic effects. Alteration in the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones and changes in the regulation of blood flow, both centrally and peripherally have been documented. There is also evidence of alterations in immune function produced by acupuncture." This Consensus Statement paved the way for funding and research to further understand acupuncture’s mechanisms of action and areas of usefulness.

Below are some thumbnail summaries of the most researched and accepted ideas.

Please go to the Research & Links page and log onto research sites and databases that can answer this question more fully.

• Autonomic Nervous System: Acupuncture regulates the autonomic nervous system (ANS) by stimulating the release of opioids as well as nor-epinephrine and acetylcholine, which both creates changes in their turn-over rate and reduces pain.
• Gate Control: Acupuncture activates non¬-nociceptive receptors that inhibit the transmission of nociceptive (pain) signals in the dorsal horn, "gating out" painful stimuli.
• Electromagnetic Conduction: Acupuncture points are potentially enhanced conductors of electromagnetic signals, as they represent areas of reduced electrical resistance. Using acupuncture to stimulate points along acupuncture pathways may allow electromagnetic signals to be relayed at a greater rate than typical, which may initiate transmission of both biochemical pain-killers such as endorphins as well as immune cells in regions vulnerable to injury and disease.
• Neurotransmitters: Acupuncture affects the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones, which influence the immune system and the anti-nociceptive (pain signaling) systems. Acupuncture stimulates beta-endorphins and enkephalins in the brain and spinal cord.
• Blood Chemistry: Acupuncture promotes homeostasis by raising and diminishing peripheral blood components. Concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids can all be affected by acupuncture.
• Vascular-Interstitial Influence: Healing is promoted by the transfer of material and electrical energy between normal and injured tissues. Acupuncture facilitates closed-circuit transport within tissues.

What does acupuncture feel like?

A. People experience acupuncture differently. Acupuncture needles do not resemble hypodermics used for injections in either size or sensation generated. They are single-use, sterile, disposable needles made of surgical steel. They are so thin that they are often compared to a strand of hair. Typically the patient feels a slight tap or a quick "zing" as the needle is inserted, which is soon followed by a vague feeling of fullness or pressure in the area needled. The most common report from patients is that of full-body heaviness and relaxation accompanied by an awareness of pleasant yet unusual sensations often described as "energy moving" in varying regions of the body, not necessarily where the needles have been placed.

How long is a treatment? How many sessions will I need?

A. A first visit involves a thorough examination and dialogue with the patient regarding current concerns and health history. You should set aside an hour and a half. Subsequent visits are an hour long. Because each person’s situation and health goals are unique, there is no standard number of treatments recommended. Your needs will dictate your treatment plan, which is designed with you at the time of your first visit.

Are herbs safe?

A. This pharmacy prescribes its Chinese herbs almost exclusively from the companies KPC and Institute for Traditional Medicine( ITM), two leaders in the United States in terms of setting safety standards in herb manufacturing and importing. The founder of Institute for Traditional Medicine also regularly publishes on safety issues and serves as a valuable watchdog and information source for practitioners of herbal medicine. By going to the ITM website below you may read articles that may address specific concerns you have regarding safety issues ranging broadly from such topics as herb-drug interaction to controls in the manufacturing process, from the veracity of reports in the news to cautions around supplements during cancer therapy. While on the ITM site, by clicking on START INDEX you can find hundreds of articles on specific herbs and herbal medicine in general.

What is the payment policy?

A. Payment is due at the time of treatment. We accept cash, MasterCard and Visa. Personal checks are accepted from established patients.

What is the cancellation policy?

A. A. We request as much notice as you are able to provide to cancel an appointment, with one full business day’s notice as the minimum. For example, a Monday appointment needs to be canceled by 5pm on the preceding Friday in order to avoid being charged for the visit.

Does insurance cover acupuncture?

A. Most insurances cover all or a portion of acupuncture treatment. Check with your carrier about the specifics of your plan. Payment for our services is due in full at the time of your treatment. We do not accept co-pays or any form of insurance as a substitute for payment. Instead, we provide you with coded forms and receipts for you to submit along with your particular company’s claim form. Your insurance company will reimburse you according to the terms of your plan. We are happy to enter into correspondence with your carrier at any time should they require any special documentation regarding your care here.