+ Why Acupuncture and How Does It Work?

More people are seeking alternatives to medications and invasive procedures, especially when conventional treatments have not provided relief. Acupuncture offers a holistic approach for those who have exhausted other options and are looking for effective, natural solutions.

Acupuncture is a 3,000-year-old practice that has been embraced by millions. It involves the insertion of very thin, hairlike needles into specific points on the body. This stimulates the nervous system to release natural chemicals, such as endorphins and enkephalins, which have powerful pain-relieving properties.

By activating these acupuncture points, the body’s circulation improves, and the brain is retrained to support its own healing processes. This ancient practice not only helps relieve pain but also promotes overall well-being by tapping into the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

+ What can acupuncture treat?

Emotional Stress: you wrestle with difficult emotions and seek an approach that supports both the physical and mental aspects of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress.

Burnout: You are burnt-out, stressed, tired, achy, and yearn for health and vitality that radiates to all aspects of living. Hormone Imbalance: You struggle with menstrual or digestive difficulties, irregular moods and cravings, or insomnia/disturbed sleep patterns.

Pregnancy: You would like to prepare for conception, address fertility issues, or support your body for a healthy pregnancy and birth.

Orthopedics: You experience musculoskeletal pain and imbalances, fatigue, and/or difficult sleep that disrupts your life.

Last Resort: You have explored conventional medical approaches that either didn’t work or worked for a short time, or are looking for natural medicine as an alternative to pharmaceuticals.

+ Is acupuncture painful?

Acupuncture needles are as fine as hair, so most of the time you won’t feel anything. However, every patient has a different reaction to the needles. Occasionally, there is a slight discomfort that accompanies insertion, especially if the individual is uncommonly emotional/sensitive that particular day or will be expecting their menstrual period soon, but normally the needles are painless.

After the needle is inserted, there may be a sensation of slight numbness, increased pressure, tingling, a dull ache, heat, cold, or heaviness in the area. This is normal and a desired response. If we are doing motor point release of a muscle, the desired response is for the muscle to twitch, helping to reset the tight or shortened muscle. This is usually painless or no more uncomfortable than the pain you are already experiencing.

If you want to try acupuncture but are nervous, just let us know and we will work with you to keep needle size and retention time to a minimum. For orthopedic condition, we may even be able to release a tight muscle in a few seconds, remove the needle, and finish the treatment with manual therapy, cupping, or gua sha.

+ How many treatments will I need and how often?

The number of treatments and frequency that is required varies based on the type of condition, length of condition, and an individual’s rate of response to acupuncture.

In general:

• Non-chronic/minor orthopedic injuries, movement challenges, or acute disorders may require 3-6 treatments to observe improvement.
• Major or chronic injuries or movement issues, or chronic disorders 10-12 treatments may be required to observe improvement.
• Severe or long-term chronic issues, it may take up to 20 sessions to see a significant resolution of your symptoms.

The basic principle is, if it didn't occur overnight, it will not go away overnight. We will work together to create a treatment plan so you understand what you’ll need.

+ Do you reuse needles?

No, never! Every needle is a single-use, sterile needle. Once it is used, it is properly disposed of. Every patient gets new needles opened at the time of treatment.

+ What can I do to prepare for my appointment?

Please wear loose clothing where I can access the body part that needs to be treated. If treating the neck/shoulder, preferably a tank top or sports bra. If treating the hip/legs, preferably boxers, shorts, and/or undergarment that makes you feel comfortable. Please make sure you have eaten a light meal or snack 1-2 hours prior to arriving for your treatments.

It’s strongly recommended you do not wear perfume or cologne, or strong smelling lotions, as some of our patients have severe allergies and strong smells can trigger an allergy attack and impede their treatments.

+ What should I do after my treatment?

Rest, relax, and recover.

We usually recommend drinking additional (warm/hot) water to flush out the fluid we release. To alleviate the soreness that may follow treatment, we recommend rest, water, applying Chinese herbal-infused topicals or heat to the area, and performing stretches for the treated muscle. We also recommend Epsom salt baths as the magnesium in Epsom salt is great for muscle relaxation, and the heat of a bath helps increase blood flow.

Avoid drinking alcohol, excessive cold and greasy fried foods, ice cold drinks, smoking, staying up late, and overusing your brain for work.

+ What should I expect after my treatment?

This all depends on the condition and the techniques used for that day.

For internal conditions, you should feel generally relaxed, but you may feel slight soreness from where we needled. It is encouraged to monitor how you feel and how your week goes until your next follow-up session.

For orthopedic and sports conditions, it is not uncommon for patients to report post-workout soreness sensation and occasional bruising in both the area treated and the area of referred symptoms. This soreness typically lasts up to 24-48 hours following treatment. We aim to see improvements after each visit such as increased range of motion, ease of movement, and decreased signs/symptoms.

+ Why should I go to you?

I’m just like you—I’ve experienced many of the same conditions you might be going through. Chinese medicine has supported me for as long as I can remember, from my first headache at age ten to recovering from sports injuries, like my first fracture.

Each injury, pain, or health issue is unique to the individual. We take the time to listen and ask detailed questions to understand how we can help you reach your goals. We always consider sleep quality, diet, digestion, and stress levels to optimize your treatment. Given the right conditions, the human body has an incredible ability to heal itself; we simply put you in the best position to allow that to happen.

+ Do you take insurance?

We are currently not in-network with any insurance companies and are not covered by Medicare/Medicaid. We have chosen not to accept insurance so that we can dedicate the time necessary to fully understand and address your symptoms. This allows us to treat multiple concerns and body regions at once, recognizing that everything in the body is connected. By not being bound by insurance constraints, we have the freedom to treat the whole person, not just isolated symptoms.

However, it's always a good idea to check your insurance policy for out-of-network deductible rules. Upon request, we can provide a superbill, which you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.

Payments are due at the time of service and can be made using cash and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover), and most HSA or FSA cards. Please check your HSA/FSA policies and documentation requirements, as they can vary.

+ What is the difference between cupping and gua sha?

Both cupping and gua sha techniques stretch muscle and connective tissue while breaking up adhesions in our bodies. Cupping pulls tissue with suction, while gua sha pushes with a blunt, smooth edges instrument and utilizes friction to generated heat. In either case, the physical stretch plays a role in reducing pain and increasing normal glide and function, while it also enhances microcirculation, cellular metabolism, and regeneration. Knowing which will be best for you will be at the examination and recommendation of the acupuncturist.

+ Why do I have discolored marks after cupping/gua sha?

In areas of tissue dysfunction, this technique may occasionally leave a temporary mark, called "sha." Sha resembles a bruise but is not painful. Bruises are usually the result of trauma from impact, which breaks blood vessels and allows blood to seep into the surrounding tissue. Traditional Chinese Medicine regards the appearance of sha as an indication that toxins and stagnation are being pulled to the surface of the body, restoring healthy blood flow and qi/energy to the muscle.

+ How long will the cupping/gua sha marks last?

The cupping/gua sha marks will slowly fade before disappearing completely after approximately 1 week depending on the skin’s regenerative ability. After regular cupping/gua sha treatments, the marks will visibly become lighter and lighter.

• Light pink: Fade within a few minutes to an hour.
• Dark red: Fade between 3 days to a week (up to 2 weeks if it is an old injury)

If you do not wish to have marks on certain areas due to an upcoming event, please let your pracitioner know beforehand.

+ What can Chinese herbal medicine help with?

Chinese herbal medicine are regarded as natural dietary supplements in the US. Herbal medicine can treat a full range of human conditions:

• Skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, and hives,
• Gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, and ulcerative colitis,
• Gynecological conditions, including pre-menstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, and infertility,
• Respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, chronic coughs, and allergies,
• Rheumatological conditions (e.g. osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis),
• Urinary conditions including chronic cystitis,
• Psychological issues (e.g. depression, stress, and anxiety)
• musculoskeletal/orthopedic conditions (fractures, sprains, muscle tension, etc)

+ What types of substances are used in Chinese medicine?

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine consists of over 11,500 substances derived from plant, animal, and mineral sources. If you are opposed to the use of animal products in your treatment, please let us know. Also, we do not use substances from endangered species.

+ How does Chinese herbal medicine differ from pharmaceutical drugs?

Many pharmaceutical drugs originate from herbal medicine. However, drugs usually rely on singular molecular compounds, many of which are isolated extracts of the plants’ active ingredients. Using the whole plant in herbal medicine is more balanced and less likely to cause side effects. Chinese herbs are usually prescribed in combination to increase the efficacy of the formula and help decrease any possible side effects. Most importantly, for an herbalist, the goal of treatment is not to simply relieve symptoms but to treat the internal imbalance at the root of the problem.

+ I take pharmaceutical drugs—can I still take Chinese herbs?

Yes but it also depends. It is very important to let your acupuncturist know about any pharmaceutical drugs or supplements that you are currently taking. In most cases, taking Chinese herbs is not contraindicated for people who are also taking pharmaceutical drugs. There are some exceptions to this, however, so it is very important to only take herbs that have been prescribed by a licensed practitioner.

+ How long will I need to take Chinese herbs?

This can vary on a case-by-case basis. Generally, if an acute condition is being treated, you can expect to see results fairly quickly using herbs. If the condition is more chronic, you may need to take the herbs for a longer period of time before you achieve lasting results. It is important to keep your practitioner informed of any changes in your condition so that s/he can modify your treatment accordingly.

+ What forms do the herbs come in?

Custom herbal formulas prescribed to you will come in either granules, and patent/over-the-counter formulascan come in pills/capsules, or topicals like liniments and balms.

+ Where do you get your herbs?

We carry herbal products from sources that comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). These standards require that the medicinals receive rigorous testing for heavy metals, bacteria, pesticides, and other contaminants. Further, all materials can be traced to their source and have batch number controls consistent with best practices. The vast majority of the herbs sold through our dispensary are grown in China and distributed through American companies that also comply with GMP.

Our favorite brands are Evergreen, Kan Herbs, and Golden Flower.

+ Is trigger point dry needling considered acupuncture?

Not entirely, trigger point dry needling is based on Western medical research and principles, whereas trigger point therapy is based on traditional Chinese medicine. I use a blend of these two techniques in practice.

+ What types of conditions can dry needling assist?

• Neck/back pain
• Shoulder pain
• Tennis/golfers elbow
• Headaches
• Hip and gluteal pain
• Knee pain
• Achilles tendonitis/tendonosis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Sciatica
• Muscular strains/ligament sprains
• Chronic pain
• Athletic performance

+ Is dry needling painful?

Everyone is different. You may or may not feel the insertion of the needle. The specific needle manipulation is intended to produce a local twitch response that can elicit a very brief (less than a second) painful response that some patients describe as a deep ache or cramping sensation. The therapeutic response occurs with the elicitation of this local twitch response and is a desirable reaction. Feeling sore or achey after using dry needling can happen and will generally resolve itself from 24-72 hours.

+ Can't I go to a chiropractor/physical therapist/Medical Doctor to get dry needling?

In the state of Connecticut, dry needling is not regulated, so chiropractors/physical therapists/MDs/ATs can practice this technique; it is as easy to be certified in dry needling by taking a weekend course and begin to practice. Acupuncturist have over 2245+ hours of needling experience, a 3.5-4 years Masters education in needle theory and safety, and some have also invested years into a multitude of techniques including trigger point dry needling. Dry needling does not work for everyone and frankly some are fearful of a needle at the site of pain. Seeing a licensed acupuncturist who can do dry needling but also modify the treatment to your needs is the most beneficial to you.

+ My ankle hurts. Why are you putting needles in my back and glutes?

It is important to note that neurofunctional acupuncture interventions do not aim to eliminate pain directly. The goal is to promote self-regulation of nervous system activity, facilitating up- and down-regulation processes such as the production and repair of myelin sheaths, the synthesis of protein-based nerve membrane ion channels, and the secretion and metabolism of neuropeptides which will result in the clinical improvement sought by the patient.

+ Can I have electro stimulation while pregnant?

Unfortunately I do not offer electrical stimulation during pregnancy unless the exact goal is to promote induction of labor. The research on whether or not acupuncture can cause a miscarriage is unclear, so we err on the side of caution and do not preform this modality during pregnancy.

+ Can I have electro stimulation if I have a pacemaker?

Because any other electrical current may interfere with the pacemaker’s ability to regulate heart rate, we do not use this modality on patients with a pacemaker. Please inform your acupuncturist if you have a pacemaker.