What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of fine, hair-thin needles into specific points on the skin to influence and correct the flow of energy, or “qi,”  in the body.

How does it work?
TCM is based on the philosophy that qi flows through certain channels in the body, nourishing the tissues and organs and providing the energy to maintain life.  When the qi is deficient or blocked in a channel, imbalance occurs and manifests as pain and illness.  Acupuncture is the art of accessing the qi to correct the body’s energy.

What does acupuncture feel like?
Acupuncture is mainly painless and many people do not even feel the needle at all.  Most people experience a sensation of warmth, tingling, or pressure at the acupuncture point as a result of the energy pathways being stimulated.  Most people find the treatments pleasant and relaxing and may even fall asleep.

What is Chinese herbal medicine?
Chinese herbs are often prescribed to achieve the best possible treatment outcome.    They are powerful medicinal substances that work on a more internal level than acupuncture.  Usually, a prescription of 10 to 16 different herbs is put together by the doctor, uniquely tailored to treat the individual at the exact stage of their healing.

Are Chinese herbs safe?
Prescribed by a trained herbalist, yes.  They do not have the side effects of Western medications.  They do not interact with most prescription drugs and your acupuncturist is aware of and will avoid those interactions.

How do I take Chinese herbs?
Chinese herbs can be administered in a number of different ways.  They can be taken whole and raw in which case the patient takes them home and decocts them to drink as a liquid.  They may be taken as powdered extracts which are dissolved in hot water and taken orally.  Or they may be taken pre-made as pills or tinctures.  The doctor will recommend which form of herbs to take, but it is always your choice.