An acupuncturist, in observing symptoms of disease, is able to locate the points on the body that governs a particular section of the channel that is blocked. The acupuncturist then stimulates those points to clear the channel and allow the life energy to flow freely again. By placing and manipulating the needles in the proper points, the skilled acupuncturist brings Yin and Yang back into balance.

Acupuncture works in two ways. First, the theory of meridians and collaterals is used as a main guide to treatment, and points from adjacent areas are selected. Therapeutic results may be obtained by regulating the circulation of energy and blood flow through there meridians and collaterals.  Secondly, when a needle is inserted into the skin, it sends a signal to the spinal cord and brain, which is present or to modify a particular body function.

Research shows that the theory of acupuncture has strong correlations with the nervous system and the endocrine system. Typically, acupuncture points are located where connective tissue spans the space between muscles and where nerve cells bundle.

After insertion, acupuncture needles are manipulated. Manipulation consists of twisting and pumping actions. It is believed that during manipulation, the needle winds up tiny bits of connective tissue. These actions create a change in micro-electrical currents in the body to stimulate our peripheral nervous system and send message to central nervous system. Then central nervous system will process all the information to release hormones, the disease is dealt with, and balance is once more established.

The best source for knowledgeable information about your specific condition is a well trained acupuncturist. An initial evaluation to obtain a history and examine you is necessary. Then the acupuncturist will discuss your diagnosis and the options for treatment.

The required treatment times depends on different conditions of each person and response to acupuncture. Recent injuries and conditions seen at an early stage will often improve immediately. Those conditions that have been present for longer periods may require more treatment, and serious derangements of structure or metabolism will require extensive therapy.

For many disorders, symptoms reflect underlying conditions that may have to be treated beyond the point at which symptoms have improved. If treatments are stopped too quickly after symptoms begin to respond, the condition may eventually return.

In the beginning stage of treatment, 2-3 times per week are recommended. A course of treatments for recent problems in a healthy person may range from 2 to 5. In a person with many health problems and a chronic disease, as many as 7 to 15 sessions may be required before an initial response is seen.

At Acupuncture Associates, the use of sterile, disposable needles ensures that there is no risk of disease transmission. The needles are very thin and are much smaller than the needles used in the familiar hypodermic injections. The most common complication of treatment is a small bruise or a drop of blood when the needle is removed.

Any medical technique involves some risk. Properly performed, acupuncture presents minimal hazard when compared to drug regimens or surgical techniques.

Because the needles are so small and light, the sensation that occurs when the needles are placed is minimal. A heavy, distended, sore, or achy feeling is often felt around the area of effective acupuncture.

The best general advice is to come in a calm state. Try to arrive ten minutes before your appointment to allow yourself a chance to relax. Vigorous exercise or sexual activity in the hour before treatment is not recommended.

You should not have recently eaten a large meal, nor should you be fasting for more than 6 hours before your appointment. The use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs is also not recommended prior to or just following a treatment.

Comfortable, loose clothing should be worn, and, if possible, you should not wear any metallic jewelry, watches, or earrings. Makeup and nail polish should be minimized or eliminated.

Please also avoid the use of perfumes, colognes or strongly scented cosmetics.

Depending on the areas to be treated, you may be positioned on your back, your stomach, your side, or sitting. Be certain that you can remain relaxed in this position, as you may not wish to move for the duration of the treatment, usually 45-60 minutes.

It is best to practice a slow and relaxed abdominal breathing during treatment, and to avoid trying to do any mental work. Abdominal breathing means allowing your abdomen to expand as you inhale, and to contract as you exhale.

Usually, there is a pleasant state of calm, which develops during the treatment and may persist for some time. You may even fall nearly asleep during the session. In areas that have been treated, a sensation of heaviness or swelling may persist for up to an hour or so after treatment.

You may find that the pain or discomfort of the condition may be reduced by 20 or 30% or even completely eliminated. Frequently, the relief will persist, though in some situations the pain will return after a few hours or days to its former level. In certain conditions, a worsening of pain is to be expected before improvement is seen.

For some disorders, no effect is noticed immediately and the condition takes a few days or a series of treatments to respond. Be sure to tell us of the response to treatment at the next appointment so that necessary changes can be made to your treatment.

Usually, there is a pleasant state of calm, which develops during the treatment and may persist for some time. You may even fall nearly asleep during the session. In areas that have been treated, a sensation of heaviness or swelling may persist for up to an hour or so after treatment.

You may find that the pain or discomfort of the condition may be reduced by 20 or 30% or even completely eliminated. Frequently, the relief will persist, though in some situations the pain will return after a few hours or days to its former level. In certain conditions, a worsening of pain is to be expected before improvement is seen.

For some disorders, no effect is noticed immediately and the condition takes a few days or a series of treatments to respond. Be sure to tell us of the response to treatment at the next appointment so that necessary changes can be made to your treatment.

It is often helpful to sit quietly following a treatment, and relax. A gentle walk or very mild exercise can also be helpful. Large meals, vigorous exercise, alcohol or excessive aggravation should be avoided.

No and Yes. Acupuncture needles are very thin, about a size of a thin hair.   When inserting an acupuncture needle into the point, you do not feel it go in. But after insertion, you will feel some kinds of sensation, such as heaviness, tingling, aching, soreness, distention, numbness and even electric shock. When you feel those, that is mean the Acupuncture needles are working on your body.  It is usually mild.

When acupuncture performed by a well-trained license acupuncturist, it is very safe, Also we use sterile and disposable acupuncture needles on each points to avoid contaminations and complications.

One of the significant advantages of acupuncture is the absence of side effects as long as it has been properly applied.  This is in contrast to many Western medicine in which severe side effects in certain cases may be worse than the disease being treated.

Research shows that the theory of acupuncture has strong correlations with the nervous system and the endocrine system. Typically, acupuncture points are located where connective tissue spans the space between muscles and where nerve cells bundle.

After insertion, acupuncture needles are manipulated. Manipulation consists of twisting and pumping actions. It is believed that during manipulation, the needle winds up tiny bits of connective tissue, like a fork in a plate of spaghetti. This pulling effect creates a change in micro-electrical currents in the body. The result to this change is a cascade of reactions.

Here is a general idea of the cascade of the reactions that occur in our body:

• The acupuncture needle stimulates our peripheral nervous system, informing it of disorders in our body.
• The peripheral nervous system collects all pertinent information about the disorders and sends the message to our command center (our central nervous system).
• The central nervous system (CNS) then processes the information and makes an executive decision about which hormones are needed to correct the disorder.
• The CNS then contacts the endocrine system and informs the endocrine system of its executive decision.
• The endocrine system further releases the hormones requested by the CNS. 

Our body responds to the newly released hormones, the disorder is dealt with, and balance is once more established.