FAQ's
What is acupuncture and how does it work?
 Acupuncture is an essential part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - a comprehensive system of health care with a history of over 3000 years. According to TCM theory, human body has 14 channels called meridians. Meridians form a network along the body that carries a universal life energy called Qi. TCM theory believes that Qi can be enhanced, improved and nourished. Along the meridians, there are many points called acu-points. Each acu-point may be considered as a switch that controls the flow of energy. Malfunction of these switches may result in blockage of energy flow. TCM theory believes that illnesses are the result of meridian blockage which causes disruption of the flow of Qi. Regulating (stimulating) acu-points can unblock the meridians.
Acupuncture works by inserting fine needles into specific acu-points, by stimulating these points, by opening the blockage, and by eliminating the symptoms. As a system of healing, acupuncture helps the body to speed up its self-healing process. It not just helps to eliminate the symptoms, it works to harmonize the body towards the restoration of balance in body, mind and spirit; therefore, to achieve physical, mental and social well-being. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued a consensus statement on acupuncture. The statement indicated that "There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture's value to expand its use into conventional medicine”
What Diseases/Conditions May be Treated?
According to World Health Origination (WHO), the health conditions that may be treated with acupuncture include the followings:
Neurological and Musculokeletal Disorders
- Arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Frozen shoulder
- Headache and migraine
- Low back pain
- Meniere's disease
- MS
- Peripheral neuropathies
- Sciatica
- Shingles
- Tennis elbow
- TMJ
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Whiplash
Respiratory Disorders
- Acute sinusitis
- Common Cold
- Acute rhinitis
- Acute tonsillitis
- Acute bronchitis
- Bronchial asthma (most effective in children and in patience without complicating diseases)
Gastro-intestinal Disorders
- Acute and chronic colitis
- Acute and chronic gastritis
- Acute duodenal ulcer (without complications)
- Chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Gastroptosis
- Hiccough
Eye and Mouth Disorders
- Acute and chronic haryngitis
- Acute conjunctivitis
- Cataract (without omplications)
- Myopia (in children)
- Toothache, post-extraction pain
In addition, other problems commonly treated by acupuncture include women’s health problems (e.g., menstrual, menopausal and pregnancy related problems), emotional and psychological disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety and stress), insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sports and other injuries.
How frequent acupuncture treatment is needed?
Depending on the type of the illness and the condition of the patient, acupuncture treatment varies in frequency and length. Each patient usually requires a unique treatment plan. The rule of thumb is that acute conditions are usually scheduled as several short-spanned sessions. Chronic problems, on the other hand, usually take at least one course (10 sessions) of treatment. The acupuncturist will reassess the patient’s progress after each treatment course to make further recommendation.
The patients should carefully follow the treatment plan once it is set up and scheduled. It is important for the patients to report to the acupuncturist their response to the treatment before each session. This will help the acupuncturist to gauge the necessity in making adjustment in their treatment plan, and to make further recommendation. For best treatment result, patients should schedule their following sessions for every 2-5 days. Longer delay between treatment sessions is likely to slow down the recovery process.
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