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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a therapeutic method that originated from China and has been practiced for about 3000 years. It involves inserting thin hair-like needles into selective key points on the surface of the body, to encourage natural healing, balance the body's vital energy, relieve pain, cure disease, increase immunity and improve function of the body.
2. How does acupuncture work?
The classical Chinese explanation is that illness results from imbalances or blockages in a person's energy meridians. The flow of energy is restored, when acupuncture needles stimulate certain points within those meridians. Acupuncture stimulates the body to produce pain relieving chemicals called endorphins or other naturally occurring chemicals and hormones that affect mood, health and pain perception.
3. Does it hurt?
Acupuncture needles are extremely fine and disposable. Most patients feel only minimal discomfort as the needles are inserted, some feel no pain at all. Brief needling sensations vary from pinching or stinging, to a feeling of numbness or distension and are a sign that treatment is having a positive effect. In fact, most people find acupuncture treatments relaxing and refreshing.
4. How many treatments will be required?
The number of treatments will vary with each individual and the condition being treated. For acute problems, only a few treatments may be required. For complex or long-standing conditions, one or two treatments a week for several months may be recommended. For health maintenance, once every two weeks or a month may be recommended.
5. Are there any side effects to the treatment?
Usually not. As energy is redirected in the body, internal chemicals and hormones are stimulated and healing begins to take place. Occasionally the original symptoms worsen for a few days. These shouldn't cause concern as they are simply indications that the acupuncture is starting to work.
6. What is cupping?
This method is where fire is introduced inside a glass cup in order to release air to create a negative pressure and then place the cup on the skin surface. It is warm and open the blockage of meridians, in order to circulate Qi and blood, to dispel cold-damp, to draw toxins out. The cupping method is used to treat obstruction syndromes, such as pain in the low back, shoulders and legs, cough, asthma ....
7. What are Chinese herbs?
Chinese herbs are natural plant substances used to heal and balance the body's Yin and Yang and invigorate Qi and blood. Usually doctors put several herbs together to make an herbal formula based on the patient's condition. The most common method for taking herbal medicine, is for a decoction like tea. However, there are also powdered extracts for patients who do not have time to make a tea. If acupuncture does not work well alone, a combination of acupuncture and herbs may have better results.
Q: Who should you see for acupuncture?
A: See your registered acupuncturist (R.Ac.). Check the CTCMA website for your qualified professional. Registrants of the CTCMA (BC Ministry of Health) have the highest standards of training in BC and Canada of any medical professional employing acupuncture. |
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Gao,Yaoha RTCM.P.
10 yrs. training in China
practice since 1984 |
