1. Who Comes for Acupuncture Treatment?

When we place our concept of health in context with the Energy System described above, we can easily see that a restoration of harmony and balance will allow Nature-in-us to do the most miraculous healing possible. For this reason no condition, no illness, no disease should be excluded from the realm of acupuncture's possible effectiveness. Experience has proven acupuncture to be a powerful tool for reinstating and supporting Nature's own innate ability to bring about healing. Even if treatment begins too late to reverse some chronic or serious condition, who is to say that Nature will not be able to ease the pain, help the body function, and restore health and happiness in mind and spirit? Health is the sum total of health of body, health of mind, and health of spirit. Because treatment is tailored to the needs of every person on every level, we welcome patients of any age of condition, ranging form children to the elderly, well or seriously ill.

2. What is the Format of Diagnosis and Treatment?

As a new patient at Wu Hsing Health Care, you will receive an initial consultation lasting one and a half to two hours. This appointment allows for the details of a medical and lifestyle history, as well as an examination of the present condition. This information is essential to diagnose the underlying cause of your problem and lays the foundation for your subsequent treatments. As part of this Traditional Oriental Diagnosis, you will also receive a physical assessment. The reading of the twelve pulses allows the trained practitioner to determine the flows through various pathways or meridians and connects the extremities and the internal organs such as heart, stomach, kidneys, and so on.

Along these meridians acupuncture is performed by delicately inserting very fine needles into the skin, without any trace of blood. This treatment addresses the underlying cause of your symptoms and healing can occur from the inside out. Acupuncture will restore and equalize the flow of energy to your organs. Sometimes, in addition to the use of acupuncture needles, you may have your Chi-energy warmed and invigorated by burning a small cone of a special herb called Moxa over the acupuncture point. This phase of the treatment is known as Moxibustion. After the initial consultation, follow-up treatments may last about 45 minutes.

3. What are the Responses to Treatment?

Because every individual is unique, the response to treatment varies from person to person. It is possible that the initial changes may first improve your overall health, before affecting your man complaint. Or, you may notice a marked improvement in your main complaint right away. You may feel revitalized mentally and emotionally, as well as physically, or you may experience only subtle changes that become obvious later when you turn your attention back to how you used to feel.

4. How Many Treatments will Be Needed, and How Frequently?

The duration and frequency of treatment depend upon a variety of factors: the severity of the complaint and how long you have suffered from the complaint. Some people require treatment once a week until improvement has been achieved. Thereafter, treatments are spaced out once every two weeks, then every three, then monthly, until finally a checkup at the change of seasons is all that is necessary.

After wellness has been achieved and seasonal checkups are under way, a person may break a law of nature or suffer a physical or emotional trauma, thereby putting the Chi-energy out of balance. In this case, a series of treatments may once again be necessary to restore harmony and balance.

5. Do the Needles Hurt?

This is common question. The answer varies from person to person because the experience of feeling the energy shift inside the body is so new to most people that it is difficult to find words to describe the sensation. However this sensation is experienced, be assured that it cannot be compared to getting a "shot" from a Western medical doctor.

6. How Can You Support Your Progress?

Before your treatment:

Do not take a thorough soap bath or shower

Do not use heavy scents or colognes

Do not use too much make-up

Avoid a heavy meal right before your appointment

After your appointment allow at least 1 half hour before you eat.

After your appointment, allow at least 4 hours before:

Strenuous exercise

High stress situations

Consumption of alcohol

Extreme temperature changes

Following these recommendations gives the Chi-energy a change to assimilate the change that has taken place from the treatment.

Between visits, please take notice of anything that is different, such as changes in:

Your sleep patterns

Your digestion

Your other bodily functions

Your daily energy fluctuations

Your dreams

Your emotions

How you are coping with events in your life.

Also notice anything that remains the same.

We normally do not discuss the findings from the examination or the diagnosis in physiological terms. We do not tell you have a "heart," "liver," "stomach" imbalance. In this system of medicine, labeling is avoided.

You will not be asked to change your life drastically. In fact, you are encouraged to continue taking any prescription medications or vitamins you are on and to continue your daily routines so as to allow for a stability in which the energy can change. Often the restored natural balance in the Chi-energy leads you to make healthier choices and abandon unhealthy habits. However, at some point your practitioner may also give you constructive homework or dietary advice in order to support the treatments.

Please respect yourself, your fellow patients, and your practitioner by keeping your appointments and arriving promptly. If you must reschedule an appointment, we require that your give adequate notice so that another patient may take advantage of your slot. Late cancellations or missed appointments will be charged at the full fee.