Acupuncture FAQ
Why get acupuncture?
- to help you relax
- to help you feel more energized
- to help you avoid illness/injury
- to help alleviate physical pain
- to help you think more clearly
- to help you stop thinking (especially around bedtime)
- to help with digestive issues including GERD and IBS
- to use alongside many conventional therapies/medications for the purpose of augmenting their effect and lowering doses
- to add legitimate choices for your health
And many other reasons.
Though hardly a complete list of symptoms that acupuncture is known to effectively help manage, here is a list of ‘no-brainer’ conditions – that is, situations that should absolutely be treated with acupuncture without hesitation:
- Abdominal pain
- Addiction control
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Athletic performance
- Back/neck pain
- Blood pressure
- regulation
- Bronchitis
- Chronic fatigue
- Common cold
- Constipation
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Hyperacidity
- IBS
- Immune system regulation
- Indigestion
- Infertility
- Insomnia
- Menopausal symptoms
- Migraines
- Muscle cramping/pain
- Nervousness
- Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
- Neurosis
- Numbness
- Parkinson’s disease
- Poor vision
- Postoperative pain
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Sciatica
- Sinusitis
- Stress reduction
- Stroke
- Tonsillitis
- Toothache
- Vertigo
How much does an acupuncture treatment hurt?
Usually not much at all. Most people are deeply relaxed once all points are placed, and falling asleep is very common.
What is “community acupuncture”?
We offer acupuncture in a group setting, also known as “community acupuncture.” Most acupuncture treatments in the United States take place on a table in a room by oneself. We all know the value of ‘power in numbers’, right? Would you prefer to eat in an empty restaurant, or one that is full of people and bustling? Or how about an empty movie theater? Us too!
The benefits of sharing treatment space include lower prices, the ability for friends and family to be treated together (often less intimidating for first-timers), and an atmosphere of infectious relaxation. Ever catch someone else’s yawn? That’s what group treatment is like. The collective energy in the treatment room can make individual treatments more powerful.
You can also watch this 10 minute video to learn more:
What happens at an appointment?
If it’s your first visit, you’ll need fill out intake paperwork and sign some consent forms. If you can do that before you come in that helps us a lot. There is a link to these forms in your confirmation email. Then you come into the clinic for an intake appointment and your first acupuncture treatment. At the intake appointment, we’ll discuss the health concerns you’re coming in to work on, and about how things work at the clinic.
When you arrive for your first visit, your acupuncturist will give you a tour of the clinic space. If you have not already filled out your forms, we will ask you to do this now. Then you and your acupuncturist will discuss the health concerns you want to address using acupuncture. You will find a comfy chair in the group treatment room, have a seat, take off your shoes and socks, roll up your sleeves and pants legs, and lean on back. Your acupuncturist will take your pulse, maybe ask you a few more questions, and then we will get started with some acupuncture, one point at a time.
20 minutes of relaxing with needles is a recommended minimum, but most people take about 45 minutes. It’s a good idea to give yourself at least one hour for your first acupuncture appointment.
After your treatment, your acupuncturist will ask how you are feeling, discuss your treatment plan and payment, and can help you schedule your next visit
I have lots more questions.
Check out the book (available for free online) Why Did You Put That Needle There? by Andy Wegman, Lic.Ac. of Manchester Acupuncture Studio in New Hampshire.
Disponible en espanol: http://www.manchesteracupuncturestudio.org/images/stories/NeedlesEspanol.pdf
What is the best way to figure out if acupuncture is right for me?
Give it a try. Click here to make an appointment.