In most states, acupuncturists are considered independent or primary care providers. The U.S. has a set of rigorous training standards for acupuncturists.

Most states require a 4 year (three semesters a year) Masters degree in Oriental Medicine from an accredited acupuncture school and issue a written and practical state board exam, before an acupuncturist can become licensed.

Please also see conditions treated.

Acupuncture can be effective in treating a variety of conditions. The essential idea is that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can do everything. There are many TCM specialties: sports injury, chronic illness and immune system disorders are among them. In China, each hospital has Western and Traditional Eastern doctors working side by side treating all illnesses. Each therapy has its strength and weakness, and often there is a great advantage to using both together

An example of a situation for combined therapy would be cancer patients on chemotherapy; TCM can reduce fatigue, insomnia and nausea associated with chemotherapy, increase the immune system, depression and overall make a significant improvement in quality of life.

Acupuncture is extremely safe. It is a non-invasive, an all natural and drug-free therapy. There is no side effect from the treatment, except feelings of relaxation and well-being. Needles come in pre-sterilized sealed packets and are discarded after each use.

Acupuncture needles are typically not much thicker than a hair, and their insertion is practically painless. In some cases, you will not even know the needles are in place.

In others, there may be some tingling and/or numbness, warmth, heaviness distention, or a feeling of the Qi moving up and down the channels.

Continuous open communication with your practitioner helps make the treatment process go smoothly. Acupuncture has been proven to stimulate the release of opiate like hormones and normally induces a deep state of relaxation, balance and healing. It is quite common for patients to feel very relaxed and some fall asleep during treatment.

Treatment depends on the duration, severity, and nature of your condition. You may need only a single treatment for an acute condition.

A series of 5-12 treatment may resolve many chronic problems. Some conditions may require many treatments (3 months or more) over time like infertility and cancer.

To help reduce the number of treatments, I usually recommend herbal medicines and eastern nutrition, all of which may help to enhance acupuncture’s therapeutic effect.

An initial visit will last approximately 1½ hour, with 1-hour follow up treatments.

Yes, the following suggestions will help you get the maximum benefits from your treatment.

• Make sure to eat something light a couple hours prior to treatment.
• Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry, full, emotionally upset or shortly after sex.
• Try to go to the bathroom if you can prior to treatment
• Try to avoid the intake of caffeine or pain medication.
• Women should not wear make-up or jewelry.
• Maintain good personal hygiene to reduce the possibility of bacterial infection.

Needles will remain in the body for 20-30 minutes. Most people find acupuncture extremely relaxing and many even fall asleep during treatment.

Some people may feel immediate relief and some may feel only a slight diminish of their symptoms. Others may feel tired the day after treatment. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to notice the symptoms diminish over the next couple of days.

Many patients have reported a better night’s rest and their ability to handle stress have improved. Overall, you should expect to feel better. The patient may observe local bruising, mild soreness around the treatment area, temporarily tingling and/or numbness. It is important to let your practitioner know your concerned or progress.

A large percentage of my patients come to me with various illnesses, but their underlying cause is usually the result of stress. Stress can cause many problems such as migraine headache, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, and PMS Etc. Often, conventional medication is no longer helping them.

One patient told me after his first treatment, “I still can’t figure out how acupuncture work, however, my energy is better, and I feel great.”