Q: What can Chinese medicine and acupuncture treat?
A: Chinese medicine can treat a wide variety of ailments. Most people think acupuncture is only good for treating musculoskeletal problems, they are amazed to hear it can treat everything from digestive problems to emotional and anxiety problems to even the common cold. The strength of Chinese medicine is taking all the different factors that make a person who he or she is and restoring the body’s balance to be able to heal itself.

Q: What is the difference between Western medications and Chinese herbal medicine?
A: Western medications primarily treats symptoms, such as headaches or back pain. The dosage is typically the same, not accounting for a patient’s underlying condition, body type or sensitivities. Chinese herbal medicine is based on a system of diagnosis that is personalized for each patient. This diagnosis is based on a patient’s signs and symptoms, as well as his or her constitution. The patient then receives an individualized herbal prescription that treats their symptoms based on their individual pattern of disharmony.

Q: What is the difference between patent and powder Chinese herbal formulas?
A: Chinese patent medicine typically come in pill form. While they are relatively safe, easy and convenient to take, they come in standardized doses and are not easy to customize on a patient-by-patient basis. They are best to use when a patient’s condition is not severe and can be taken on for the long-term. Chinese powder formulas are taken with hot water and drank like a tea. These formulas can be individually made for each patient based on their Chinese diagnosis to more precisely target their condition. The liquid form is generally more potent as it’s easier for the digestive system to assimilate vs. solid pill form. Since powdered herbs are generally extracts of barks, roots, stems and other plant products, the main complaint people have is the taste of the herbs. However, the bitter taste can be reduced by adding honey to the tea.

Q: What can I expect during a treatment?
A: Before your first treatment, you will be asked to fill out a comprehensive health history questionnaire that will detail every aspect of your medical condition, even questions that don’t seem relevant to your main complaint. This helps the practitioner establish a picture of your overall health. During your first appointment, further questions will be asked to further hone in on your Chinese diagnosis. Looking at your tongue and feeling your pulse will also be done to gain more information. You will be asked to lie on a treatment table while anywhere from one to over a dozen body points are needled. Other adjunctive techniques such as moxibustion or ear acupuncture, may also be done. Your first treatment can last anywhere from 1 to 1 ½ hours. Subsequent treatments usually last 1 hour, but questions about your health are still asked to assess progress. The number of treatments required can depend upon the type of the patient’s condition, the chronicity of the condition, the patient’s lifestyle and constitutional tendency. Acute conditions may be relieved within 1-2 treatments. More long-term conditions may require 5-15 treatments. Your acupuncturist will be able to explain everything to you and answer all questions.