FAQ - General

• What is acupuncture?
• How many treatments will I need?
• Is acupuncture painful?
• Will MSP and/or extended medical cover acupuncture treatments?
• Where do the needles go?
• What if I'm afraid of needles!
• Are the needles sterile?
• What if I need to reschedule an appointment? What is your cancellation policy?
• Can I Combine TCM Treatment with Western Medicine?
• Why are herbal medicines used?
• What should I do after treatment?
• How does one choose an acupuncturist?
• What can acupuncture treat?
• Before my treatment, why am I asked questions about health matters that seem to have nothing to do with the condition being treated?
• Why do I sometimes feel strong emotions during a treatment?
• In British Columbia I understand there is new regulations surrounding Chinese medicine and that some practitioners are restricted in their use of herbs and acupuncture. What are you licensed to practice?
• What quality of herbs do you use? Are they tested for anything in particular?

The answer depends very heavily on the nature of the problem. To give acupuncture enough time to build on itself and do its work, approximately 3 - 5 visits are required. Generally speaking, the rule of thumb is that the more recent the ailment, the shorter the treatment time and the fewer treatments needed. So problems that have arisen rather recently can see improvement within the first few treatments, while long-standing disorders may take longer for your body to balance.

IN addition, acute problems generally respond much faster. As in any form of medical care, the client's attitude, diet, determination and lifestyle will affect the outcome and course of treatment.

Unlike injection needles and blood drawing equipment, acupuncture needles do not have a hollow space inside for fluid. Therefore, they are slender in comparison.

The client should feel a slight sensation as the needle contacts the Qi. This feeling is known as 'deqi', or arrival of Qi. Deqi is not unpleasant and the sensation can either be a dull ache, numbness, a tingling or a sensation of heat. In some instances the sensation travels along the line of the meridian. The energetic sensation differs from pain. People often comment that the feeling is unfamiliar but relaxing soon after the arrival of Qi.

A client may feel a needle slightly more if the area is very blocked, but will feel nothing after the insertion. Most clients find acupuncture to be relaxing and many even fall asleep during their treatment.

It is cost effective. Many conditions that respond to both acupuncture and herbs will cost less if treated with herbs alone and would require less acupuncture during the treatment period if combined with herbal treatments. Also some conditions respond better to herbs than acupuncture. I find combining both treatment modalities of herbs and acupuncture together provides a more efficient and effective healing response. It is also less costly because the number of and frequency of acupuncture treatments can be reduced.

Herbal medicines are generally gentler than drugs and more holistically targeted, so there are fewer side effects. In fact, herbs used within the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) context tend to actually relieve symptoms above and beyond the chief complaint of the client.