- How are you coming to a diagnosis?
- Is Acupuncture Safe?
- Does Acupuncture hurt?
- What can I expect results?
- How long are treatments?
- What happens on my first visit?
- What should I wear?
- What should I do before treatment?
- What reaction may happen after treatment?
- What should I do after a treatment?
- Should I tell my doctor I am having acupuncture?
- My doctor does not believe in acupuncture. Do I have to believe in it to have results?
- Will acupuncture interference with my medication?
- Can I take Chinese herbs when I am on medication?
- What are the Chinese herbs?
- How do Chinese herbs differ from western medicine?
- Should I continue with my prescribed medication while receiving acupuncture?
- Can acupuncture be combined with other therapies?
- Does insurance cover acupuncture?
How are you coming to a diagnosis?
Acupuncture has been used to treat a wide variety of illnesses for more than 2,000 years. Acupuncture is just one component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). A diagnosis is made based upon a thorough patient interview to understand which parts of the body’s energetic systems are out of balance. The diagnosis includes the observation of the pulse, the tongue and palpation of the abdomen. These areas reflect the whole body and provide diagnostic clues that help an acupuncturist build a diagnosis and treatment strategy. Once a diagnosis is made, acupuncture points are selected. The focus of the treatment may be to balance the yin and yang of the body: excess or deficient patterns, hot or cold conditions, or exterior and interior patterns. For example, a treatment may need to build a person's energy if it is deficient. If the condition arises from an excess of energy we will disperse energy in the treatment. Inserting acupuncture needles at the appropriate points promotes the flow of energy and restores balance throughout the body.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
When practiced by a trained, licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture is extremely safe. We are required to use pre-sterilized, pre-packaged, one-time-use needles which are safely disposed as medical waste after a single use. The Food and Drug Administration regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices. Licensed Acupuncturists practice Universal Precautions like all other medical providers and adhere to OSHA Safety Standards.
Some precautions are advised, however, and this is part of the reason for such a rigorous interview at the first appointment. If you have a pacemaker, I would not use an electrical stimulation machine due to the potential for electromagnetic interference. If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, then certain acupuncture points are contraindicated and avoided. Cautions are also recommended when working around major organs, blood vessels and nerves.
Does Acupuncture hurt?
People experience needling differently. There are different styles of needling. I needle in Korean style which says to gentle insert the needle under the skin, and the Qi will rise to the needle. Acupuncture needles I insert are rarely described as painful, and can be quickly adjusted if the patients does feel discomfort. If any sensation is experienced during insertion, it is often compared to a mosquito bite and disappears very quickly. Once the needles are inserted, they may be manipulated to obtain a mild "Qi" sensation. This is how an acupuncturist engages the energy in your body in order to help balance it. Often people describe their sensations as warming, heavy, numb or tingling. I take great care to make my clients very comfortable so that they can relax while the needles are in place. The more you can relax during an acupuncture treatment, the better the results. Many people even fall asleep during treatment. Following treatment it is common to feel a tremendous sense of relaxation and calm.
When can I expect results?
This varies depending on the severity of the condition being treated. Part of the beauty of acupuncture is that treatments are customized to one person at one moment in time. Each person is an individual and the number of treatments required depends on the depth of the condition, its longevity and the overall health of the patient. The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative. In general, you should feel some results within one to two treatments, with a larger shift for the better happening around treatment four – six. A typical acupuncture series lasts for at least twelve treatments. Appointments are then scheduled further and further apart after the optimal response has been achieved. Our therapeutic goal is to balance your systems to maintain optimum health rather than “fixing” problems as they arise (though, of course, we do that too). In acupuncture, we seek to resolve the root cause of a problem so that your body can use its natural healing abilities to keep your systems in balance.
How long are treatments?
The first appointment takes 90 minutes. Subsequent appoints last for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
The first appointment takes 90 minutes. Subsequent appoints last for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
What happens on my first visit?
I begin with a comprehensive interview about your main complaint and perform a medical intake about all of your health issues. After examination, I will devise a treatment that is customized to your particular case, perform acupuncture and, where needed, other adjunctive techniques that will help to bring your systems back into balance and address your main complaint.
I begin with a comprehensive interview about your main complaint and perform a medical intake about all of your health issues. After examination, I will devise a treatment that is customized to your particular case, perform acupuncture and, where needed, other adjunctive techniques that will help to bring your systems back into balance and address your main complaint.
What should I do before treatment?
Try to avoid the following:
Try to avoid the following:
- An empty stomach or eating a big meal within one hour of your appointment
- Alcohol, tobacco, food or drinks that color your tongue (such as coffee or candies) immediately prior to treatment or just following a treatment
- Vigorous exercise or sexual activity within the hour before treatment
It also helps to be in a calm state. Try to arrive 5 or 10 minutes before your appointment to give yourself a chance to relax.
What reaction may happen after treatment?
Patients normally feel relaxed and calm. You may feel tired or drowsy for a few hours if the experience is particularly strong. Some people sometimes have a very short-term flare-up of symptoms as part of the healing process. Each person is different and any of these things can occur. If you are concerned at all about how you are feeling, please call, text or e-mail me.
Patients normally feel relaxed and calm. You may feel tired or drowsy for a few hours if the experience is particularly strong. Some people sometimes have a very short-term flare-up of symptoms as part of the healing process. Each person is different and any of these things can occur. If you are concerned at all about how you are feeling, please call, text or e-mail me.
What should I do after a treatment?
It is often helpful to sit quietly and relax following a treatment.
It is often helpful to sit quietly and relax following a treatment.
Should I tell my doctor I am having acupuncture?
Yes! I believe that the best use of acupuncture is in a complementary fashion with western medicine. It’s the best of both worlds. Please let your doctor know that you are having treatment at PureMe Acupuncture Center. I am happy to follow-up with your physician to discuss your progress and prognosis.
Yes! I believe that the best use of acupuncture is in a complementary fashion with western medicine. It’s the best of both worlds. Please let your doctor know that you are having treatment at PureMe Acupuncture Center. I am happy to follow-up with your physician to discuss your progress and prognosis.
My doctor does not believe in acupuncture. Do I have to believe in it to have results?
No! In fact, acupuncture works very well for horses, dogs and cats, most of whom probably don’t “believe” in acupuncture either. It is always beneficial to have confidence in your practitioner but faith in a particular technique is not necessary to obtain results. Your body knows how to respond and integrate the treatment into the whole you.
No! In fact, acupuncture works very well for horses, dogs and cats, most of whom probably don’t “believe” in acupuncture either. It is always beneficial to have confidence in your practitioner but faith in a particular technique is not necessary to obtain results. Your body knows how to respond and integrate the treatment into the whole you.
Will acupuncture interfere with my medication?
No. You may find your medication working more effectively as acupuncture restores your internal balance and taps into your bodies natural healing abilities. This is another reason to tell your physician that you are receiving treatment.
No. You may find your medication working more effectively as acupuncture restores your internal balance and taps into your bodies natural healing abilities. This is another reason to tell your physician that you are receiving treatment.
What should I wear?
Comfortable, loose clothing is best. At the very least, I will need access to acupuncture points that are distal to the elbows and knees and to your whole back. I can drape your body to cover any areas that are not required for treatment to maintain patient comfort. Treatment rooms are typically on the warmer side, but a sheet or blanket is provided should you feel chilled.
Can I take Chinese herbs when I am on medication?
It depends on the medications you are taking. This would have to be evaluated on a case by case basis.
What are the Chinese herbs?
In Eastern Asia country, people have been using natural herbs to treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions. These herbs are called herbal medicine, which are composed of roots, bark, flowers, seeds, fruits, leaves, and branches. It is well known that Traditional Chinese Medicine has over 3000 years history and Chinese herb medicine is one of most important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine which also includes acupuncture.
Chinese herbal formulas work to not only help relieve symptoms but to help return the body to balance and equilibrium, so that herbs will not be needed further. That is why we often modify the herbs as treatment continues, since the body starts to shift towards being healthier, and therefore the herbs are modified to meet the changing needs of the body.
Should I continue with my prescribed medication while receiving acupuncture?
Yes. If you have a desire to change your medication, you must discuss your options with you physician or the practitioner who prescribed the medication. Many patients seek out acupuncture because of dissatisfaction with a western treatment – whether it does not seem to be working or there are unacceptable side effects. However never stop taking any medication without the supervision of the person who prescribed the medication in the first place.
Yes. If you have a desire to change your medication, you must discuss your options with you physician or the practitioner who prescribed the medication. Many patients seek out acupuncture because of dissatisfaction with a western treatment – whether it does not seem to be working or there are unacceptable side effects. However never stop taking any medication without the supervision of the person who prescribed the medication in the first place.
Can acupuncture be combined with other therapies?
Yes, acupuncture can be performed alongside other treatments, and at the same time as western medical care. You should inform each practitioner if you are having any other treatments.
Does insurance cover acupuncture?
We accept Major Health Insurance and Auto Insurance. But acupuncture coverage depends on your plan. Insurance patient may be confirm their eligibility before scheduling first appointment. Medicaid and Medicare insurance plans unfortunately do not cover acupuncture in New Jersey.
Yes, acupuncture can be performed alongside other treatments, and at the same time as western medical care. You should inform each practitioner if you are having any other treatments.
Does insurance cover acupuncture?
We accept Major Health Insurance and Auto Insurance. But acupuncture coverage depends on your plan. Insurance patient may be confirm their eligibility before scheduling first appointment. Medicaid and Medicare insurance plans unfortunately do not cover acupuncture in New Jersey.
Call 201 - 497 - 8880
PureMe Acupuncture Wellness Center
99 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 302
Westwood, NJ
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