Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs & Acupressure

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Ask questions.
Does the acupuncturist listen to you?
Do they seem friendly?
Have they treated your condition before? What were the results?
What is their education? a Licensed Acupuncturist should have at least 3,000 hours including training in acupuncture, Asian medicine and herbal training.
Do you like them? If the phone interview does not give you a feel for the practitioner, ask to visit their office before making a formal appointment. You should feel comfortable talking to your acupuncturist.
Can they give you an idea of the cost for treatment? I usually give people an idea of how many visits they can expect before seeing some improvement.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. First and foremost, I wish all potential patients realized that acupuncture is usually painless! The needles I use are literally the size of strand of hair. I am a total wimp and if acupuncture was a painful experience I would never have had it done or become an acupuncturist myself. Also, if you are truly unable to stand having acupuncture, acupressure or herbal therapy can also be very beneficial, and most licensed acupuncturists offer both services in addition to acupuncture.
Next, I wish all of you considering acupuncture knew that Licensed Acupuncturists are trained in all aspects of Asian medicine, and that chiropractor or physician acupuncturists usually only have 200 hours of training in acupuncture. So look for the L. Ac.!
Understanding how acupuncture works would also be helpful to your treatment. Acupuncture "retrains" your nervous system to evaluate stress--whether it is mental stress, pain, poor digestion, or the stress from poor sleep--and handle the stress better. Like exercise, you usually only get the full benefit of treatment after a series of regular visits.
I also hope you know that any time you have a concern about your care, you can always ask! Acupuncturists usually love answering questions, and want you to understand your treatment.
Finally, I want you to know that acupuncture is a natural therapy, and works best if you are living a balanced life. Eating healthy food, minimizing stress, getting some exercise and taking charge of your healthcare is the secret to great results. I care about my patients and want each of them to succeed in their health goals.