FAQs - Life Essentials TCM Center

FAQ's About Acupuncture & TCM

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a medical therapy developed over 2000 years ago in China. A practitioner inserts hair-thin needles into specific sites along the body’s meridians. Acupuncture stimulates specific points beneath the skin by the insertion of acupuncture needles.. This process restores the balance of the body’s energy, also known as “Qi” (pronounced chi). Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Moxibustion are some of the essential elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

Acupuncture therapy has been used for thousands of years in China. Acupuncture is the treatment of choice for one-fourth of the world’s population! The needles are FDA approved, individually packaged, pre-sterilized and disposed after a single use.

Will Acupuncture or Individualized Herbs Conflict With My Other Medications?

Acupuncture will not conflict with any of your medications. Acupuncture is used to complement and supplement your physician’s treatments, NOT TO REPLACE THEM. You should discuss this issue with your physician and acupuncturist.

Are the needles Clean?

Acupuncture needles are FDA approved. These needles are pre-sterilized and individually wrapped. After the needles are used, they are disposed.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

In traditional Chinese Medicine, there exists a meridian system through the human body. In this system, invisible passageways for energy are called meridians. There are certain points on the body (more than 360) that connect with certain organs and bodily functions. Point Groups on the body that apply to a specific organ or function are found along the same meridian. In a healthy, normal functioning body, the energy in these meridians flow freely resulting in a balanced system. When the flow of energy is interrupted from causes such as stress or injury, this energy is reduced throwing your “Qi” off balance. By performing acupuncture using the points associated with the particular meridian involved, this Qi or balance is restored

What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?

Chinese herbal medicine is the main treatment method of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine is the world‘s oldest and most continuously practiced professional medicine in the world. There are literally thousands of medicinal substances in The Chinese materia medica. Most herbs come from plant sources and have been used as treatment for a wide variety of conditions for generations. The synergy of each herbal combination is a key component of Chinese herbal medicine. The herbal formulas are given based on each individual’s condition, which is followed by a TCM pattern diagnostic evaluation.
Herbs are a powerful way to re balance and nourish the body with very few side-effects. Chinese herbs can be used to fight infection, improve immunity, help digestion, relieve anxiety, etc... Chinese herbal medicine is also good for promoting the body’s ability to heal itself and recover from illness.

What is TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)?

The principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine are to seek the root cause of disease in the body and to restore the balance between Yin and Yang. Treatments are given with regard to the seasons, the climate and each individual’s constitution. A core component of TCM is called vital energy (Qi). This energy flows through the body via meridian systems. TCM restores the balance by reactivating the body’s own natural and internal healing mechanisms. TCM treats the patient holistically and emphasizes prevention and self-healing.

How Many Treatment Do I Need?

Since every person is unique in their own condition, the number of treatments needed will vary. The nature, severity, and history of each patient’s problem, as well as the individual themselves, are all factors involved in how many treatments will be needed.

Will Acupuncture Hurt?

Acupuncture needles are extremely thin and are made from silver alloy, typically stainless steel. You may feel little or no discomfort as the needles are inserted but the process is typically painless. You may feel different sensations including slight soreness, numbness, warmth, or pressure. These energetic sensations are different from pain. People often comment that the feeling is unfamiliar, but pleasant and comforting.

Are needles the only equipment involved?

Acupuncturists may use several techniques such as moxibustion, cupping, electric stimulation, and point stimulation to help with the patient’s treatment.

How Should I Prepare before Treatment?

Come with any questions you have—we’re here to help you.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing for easy access to acupuncture points.

Don’t eat large meals just before or after your visit.

Refrain from overexertion, working out, drugs or alcohol for up to 6 hours after the visit.

Between visits, take notes of any changes that may have occurred, such as the alleviation of pain, pain moving to other areas, or changes in the frequency and type of problems.

What Conditions Can Acupuncture Treat?

Many conditions can be treated, including general pain relief, managing arthritis, cervical spondylopathy, knee pain, hand and foot pain, sciatica, shoulder pain, tennis elbow, lower back and neck pain, tendinitis, ect. Other conditions: circulatory problems with high or low blood pressure, cold hands and feet. Some nervous system imbalances can also be treated such as anxiety, nervousness, sleeplessness, depression, asthma, allergies and sinus problems; digestive disorders like Crohn’s Disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, and constipation. Other common ailments treated include headaches and migraines; treatments to help stop smoking, and many more conditions.

FAQ's about Chinese Herbs

What are Herbs Used for?

To treat the immediate problems
To strengthen the body healing ability, helping it to recover
To maintain health

Why Herbs?

The three functions of herbal medicine are treatment, recovery, and health maintenance. Generally, herbs can be taken for a variety of symptoms and illnesses, and, because it is natural therapy, most herbs do not cause side effects. Those side effects that do occur can be easily counteracted with other herbs. Herbal medicine is simply gentler and safer than chemical medicine. For these reasons, people turn to herbal therapy for a number of indications.

How do I take them?

Herbal medicine is traditionally taken in tea form. Tea absorbs into the system quickly and is the most commonly used method; however, if the smell or taste of the tea is unpleasant, capsules or tablets are recommended. Tea should always be warm, and capsules or tablets should be swallowed with warm water.

Why is it Necessary to Process Herbs?

Processing reduces any possible side effects by detoxifying the herbs, removing any poisons. Processing can also change the properties of an herb to suit the symptom. For example, rehmannia raw has a cold property and is used to treat "hot" symptoms. However, rehmannia cooked (processed) has a warm property and is used to treat "cold" symptoms.

Are there Any Side Effects?

Herbs can be taken to reduce the side effects of other medication. Antibiotics weaken the immune system while herbal therapy can strengthen the immune system. Also, during chemotherapy, the white blood cell count drops, causing fatigue, lack of energy and appetite. Herbal therapy has proven quite successful in relieving the side effects of chemotherapy.

TCM complements Western Medicine

Herbal medicine can strengthen the effects of Western medication. For example, if a patient is taking medication for his high blood pressure, but it is not producing the desired effects, his doctor may increase the dosage. A heavy dosage can produce unwanted side effects. The patient can, instead, take an herbal supplement that will produce the desired decrease in blood pressure without the side effects.

How Are Herbs Categorized?

Every herb is said to have the property of being either cool, cold, warm, or hot. Cool and cold herbs treat "hot" symptoms, such as fever, thirst, sore throat or constipation. Warm and hot herbs treat "cold" symptoms, such as cold hands and feet. According to Traditional Chinese Medical teaching, two energy forces (Yin and Yang) control all body processes. A life-force (Chi) flows through channels (meridians) throughout the body, influenced by Yin and Yang. Each of these channels is considered to effect a particular part of the body. In turn, each kind of herb effects a particular channel. Herbs are categorized by the actions they perform in the body. These are known as lifting, floating, lowering, and sinking.

Maintaining Good Health —

Herbal therapy can also be used for general health maintenance. Tonic herbs are used to increase energy and to slow the aging process. They are also used for enhancing sexual energy and for cosmetic purposes. Herbs are also used to treat minor symptoms that are not severe enough for heavy chemical drugs, symptoms that cannot be diagnosed by Western medicine, and symptoms and illnesses that are not easy to treat, such as mononucleosis and immune system deficiencies.

Health Prevention
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Herbs are often taken as a method of prevention. For a person suffering from frequent headaches, taking herbs to prevent the headache from ever starting is a much better option than taking a pain reliever after the fact. Herbs are also used to prevent the flu, menstrual cramps and pre-menstrual syndrome, and many other things.

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