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Questions & Answers

What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is a system of medicine which has been used to treat all the ills of human societies for thousands of years. The treatment is based upon balancing the patient’s energy by putting sterile, hair-thin needles in electrically charged acupoints. The pain associated with the needling is minimal and has been compared to the intensity of a mosquito bite. The affect is to wake up the energy system which permeates the body-mind and spirit of the patient and thereby enlivens all functions of the body returning them to a healthy, vital, state of harmony. By this method, acupuncture can maximize the person's ability to heal themselves of any condition they may be suffering from or to prevent illness from developing by keeping the person in optimal balance. 

Where Did Acupuncture Come From? It was previously assumed that acupuncture was only an Asian medical practice because one of the oldest books ever discovered, The Nei Jing from 200 BC, was a Chinese medical text describing acupuncture. New archeological evidence has now been found which suggests acupuncture was also practiced in India, Europe and America. The use of acupuncture in the Far East has been widely appreciated for centuries even with the advent of modern western medical surgery and drugs. Acupuncture in modern China today accounts for 50% of all medical treatment. Acupuncture has been well documented in the East for centuries and there are many different styles of practice. In the 1960s the West was reintroduced to a form of Chinese Medicine which had been standardized into Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This style of practice tends to focus more on the healing of the physical body. At about the same time another teacher named J. R. Worsley put together a system of Acupuncture based on his studies in China, Japan and other places which maintained the rich spiritual and emotional healing traditions in Chinese Medicine. One of the main tenants of all forms of Chinese Medicine is that it helps all aspects of the person's body-mind-spirit; however, there are some differences in the styles of these two traditions of Chinese Medicine. Chinese Healing Arts offers both of these styles of acupuncture in order to meet the needs of each particular patient.

What does a treatment consist of? On the initial visit the practitioner will take a thorough health history by asking the patient about their symptoms and how they developed. Information is gathered by interviewing the patient about emotional, physical, family or job stressors from the past or present that could have weakened the patient. The lifestyle of the patient such as diet, exercise and sleep habits are also looked at. All of this information is figured into the diagnosis and treatment plan that the practitioner makes for the patient to help return them to their natural state of balance and good health. The patient is also given a Chinese Pulse Diagnosis in which the practitioner feels the pulse for many different qualities in order to learn which energies of the body are blocked or deficient and in need of support. This pulse diagnosis also tells the practitioner more about the patient's particular pattern of disharmony which has allowed symptoms to develop. After the diagnosis the patient lies on a massage table fully draped by a sheet. Their treatment will usually consist of a combination of 6 to 12 needles placed about a half inch into the body at electrically charged acupoints which are designed to bring the energy field back into balance. The treatment is very relaxing, the needling sensation is normally mild and the needles can be left in anywhere from 1 second to 30 minutes depending on what needs to happen to guide the energy into a more balanced pattern. Often a patient will also receive some massage on areas which are tight or painful. This combination treatment is very effective, pleasurable and extremely safe.

What are the needles like and do they hurt? The needles are solid, sterile and about the thickness of two human hairs. They are much thinner than hypodermic needles doctors use and they are carefully placed in acupuncture points that are much less tender than the blood vessels. Usually people feel a slight ache or tingling sensation. Occasionally it does sting a little bit but only when it is initially inserted. If needles are left in for a while they do not continue to hurt. Often people have compared the pain of the acupuncture needle to the intensity of a mosquito bite. In general, patients find acupuncture treatment a very relaxing and nurturing experience despite the brief discomfort occasionally experienced from the needling.

How safe is acupuncture? Acupuncture is one of the safest types of therapy a person can have. Acupuncture moves energy in the patient and helps them to reach a state of balance. The biggest side effect is an occasional bruise which rarely occurs. A trained practitioner knows how to avoid putting the needles in too deep over the lung area which is at some risk of puncturing if the needle is inserted too deeply. Acupuncture has no side effects as the body natural knows how to find the correct energy balance when the energy points are stimulated.

How many treatments will I need? Acupuncture treatments return your body-mind-spirit to optimal balance and harmony so that your innate healing abilities are enhanced. We usually recommend that a patient get a series of 8 to 10 treatments to get a good balancing of the energy. Your progress depends on the severity of your problem and how long you have had it. Making additional lifestyle improvements to support your healing can also help treatment progress more quickly. Often people feel better after the first treatment; however, if your problem is very long standing it could take a series of treatments before improvement occurs. When you start to feel better for a week at a time, the treatments can be spaced out to bimonthly, monthly and then seasonally to keep your energy balanced and tuned up. At the end of your series, we will evaluate what if any further treatments are necessary.

Is Acupuncture compatible with Western Medical care or other alternative therapies? Yes acupuncture is safe to use with regular medical care. It often helps ease the side effects of drugs and helps people recover from surgery and chemotherapy. It is a good idea to tell your physician that you are receiving acupuncture. Acupuncture also goes very well with other alternative therapies. Massage is offered at Chinese Healing Arts and is often included with the acupuncture treatment to relieve tension in the musculoskeletal. system. Yoga and Tai Chi are also very good exercises to take up to support your healing. Chiropractic is sometimes recommended as an adjunct to acupuncture as well.

How much does acupuncture cost? The initial treatment is 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours long and is $90 to $100. Continuing treatments are $65 to $75 depending on whether or not one receives massage with their treatment. If you think a series of treatments sounds expensive, just remember that your health is the most valuable thing you possess. Without good health, no amount of money can make you happy and many times people can not continue working if they do not have their health. If you knew how good you would feel after a series of treatments you would probably be willing to pay much more.

Does insurance cover acupuncture? Some insurance companies will pay for acupuncture and it is worth having a conversation with yours to see if they will. Chinese Healing Arts does require payment at the time of service and then if needed we will give you a receipt to send to your insurance company to seek reimbursement. If your insurance company will only reimburse an MD for doing acupuncture, please check the doctors credentials carefully. Many times doctors have received as little as 300 hours of acupuncture training whereas licensed acupuncturists have full 3 to 4 year Masters or Doctorate degrees in Chinese Medicine.

Links

The Enneagram Institute
Official site of Don Riso and Russ Hudson. Offers a discussion board, information about the Enneagram system, and free tests.

International Enneagram Association

The IEA has a rich history and is extremely active worldwide. In addition to being an international association of members committed to furthering the theory and applications of the Enneagram, the IEA also has local Chapters in the United States and Canada and countrywide Affiliates throughout the world.

Venus Rising University 
Venus Rising University is a unique educa­tional expe­ri­ence. As far as we know, VRU is the only Shamanic Psychospiritual University in the world! Our curricu­lum is struc­tured to promote and accel­er­ate personal growth and lead­er­ship.

Dogwood Wellness

We believe that good health is your greatest possible resource and needs to be managed – not by drugs but by improved life style, including good dietary habits, appropriate exercise and stress reduction.  We ask that you be an active partner and be willing to learn about those areas in your life that are not serving you well.