What should I expect during my
initial visit ? Back to Top
During your first office visit, a full health history will be taken. Your acupuncturist may ask you at length about your symptoms, health condition, lifestyle, and behavior. Your acupuncturist also may check your pulses and your tongue and may conduct a physical exam. She (or He) will want to obtain a complete picture of your treatment needs and behaviors that may contribute to your condition. Inform the acupuncturist about all treatments or medications you are taking and all medical conditions you have.
Anything I need to do before
receiving an acupuncture treatment ?
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Yes, the following suggestions will help you get the maximum benefits from your treatment.
1. Come with any questions you have ---- we are here to help you.
2. Wear loose, comfortable clothing for easy access to acupuncture points. Women should not wear one-piece dress. Avoid wearing tight stockings.
3. Maintain good personal hygiene to reduce the possibility of bacteria infection.
4. Do not wear jewelry, watch or other valuables to prevent loss.
5. Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry, full, emotionally upset, or shortly after sex.
6. Between visits, take notes of any changes that may have occurred, such as the alleviation of pain, pain moving to other areas, or changes in the frequency and type of problems.
Anything I need to do while
receiving acupuncture ? Back to Top
Yes, again.
1. Relax. There is no need to be frightened. Ask your practitioner any questions you have along the way so that you can get the most benefit possible from the treatment.
2. Do not change your position or move suddenly. If you are uncomfortable, tell your practitioner.
3. Some people experience dizziness, nausea, cold sweat, shortness of breath, or faintness during treatment. This often occurs if you are nervous. Inform your practitioner immediately so he or she can readjust or withdraw the needles. Also let your practitioner know if you feel an increasing amount of pain or burning sensation during the treatment.
4. If you find your treatment unbearable at any point, be sure to speak up so that your practitioner can make the proper adjustments or stop the treatment.
What should I expect during
treatment ? Back to Top
Where the acupuncture needle has been inserted, you may experience a vague numbness, heaviness, tingling or dull ache. Sometimes people experience a sensation of energy spreading and moving around the needle. This is called "Qi sensation". All these reactions are good and a sign that the treatment is working.
What can I expect after treatment ?
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You may note a spot of blood at one or more of the needle sites and or a small bruise could develop. These should not be harmful. The bruise will usually go away in a few days. But please talk to your practitioner if you are concerned.
Patients often experience the most dramatic results in the first treatment. Some patients experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms. This relief may last or some pain may return. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to notice the pain diminish over the next couple of days. Generally, you should expect to feel better.
Most patients will have more questions than this screen can answer. Your practitioner is used to answering questions such as: Should I see other medical doctor? Should I continue taking my present medication? What should I eat? Is there anything I can do for myself at home? Etc. You should discuss all of your questions in person with your practitioner.
Do's and Don'ts Back
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Do plan your activities so that after the treatment you can get some rest. This is especially important for the first few visits.
Do pay attention and keep written notes of what your responses are to the treatment. This will help acupuncturist keep track of your progress and design future treatment best suited to your problem.
Do follow the instructions from your acupuncturist so that you can get the most benefits from the treatments and herb.
Don't eat an unusually large meal immediately before or after your treatment.
Don't over exercise, engage in sexual activity, or drink alcoholic or soft beverages within 6 hours before or after treatment.
Don't be under the influence of substances. Substance (drugs or alcohol) abuse will seriously reduce the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment and herbal formula.
What is Chinese herbal medicine ?
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Chinese herbal medicine is a safe, effective and drug-free way to heal sickness and stay healthy naturally. Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture are complimentary therapeutic modalities that are often used together in the treatment of many medical conditions. Herbs are used to strengthen, build and support the body or to clear it of problems such as cold, fever, pains and etc. Your acupuncturist may suggest starting with herbs and then adding acupuncture to your treatment in the future.
How do I cook the raw herbs ?
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The following steps for cooking the raw herbs may be used when there is NO special instruction from your acupuncturist.
1. Put one package of herbs in a pot (non-metal pot such as Pyrex, Ceramic or Glass interior material is better). Add about 3 cups of water or water about 1 inch above herbs. Do not wash herbs, because some ingredients may be lost. For better results, soak the herbs in water for 2 hours before cooking.
2. Place the pot on high heat and bring to boil. Reduce to medium heat, cover the pot and cook for about 30 minutes. Stir the herbs two times during cooking so that all herbs get cooked. Also make sure water does not get dried out. In the case of water dried out and burned herbs, clean the pot and start over again with reduced heat. Do not use burned herbs.
3. When cooking is done, extract the liquid from the pot using a strainer. Add water again to the raw herbs in the pot, boil it for 30 minutes and extract the liquid. Mix all the extracted liquid so that it can have uniform concentration.
4. Add the medicine (if there is) in small bag(s) to the liquid and heat it until the medicine is dissolved. Divide the liquid into five equal parts.
5. Follow your acupuncturist's instruction for when, how much and how often to drink the herbal liquid if he (or she) has special instructions. Otherwise you may drink one part of liquid each time. If you can't drink all of it, drink less (i.e. maybe just one cup). Drink amount that works best for you. Beware sediment will fall to bottom of cup. Don't drink the sediment.
6. While most herbs do not taste delicious, it is well worth drinking for healthful results. Sometimes, you may add flavoring like honey, sugar, orange juice as desired for your taste without effecting the herbal benefits. Consult your acupuncturist before add flavor. Wash your mouth with clear water after drinking herb by drinking water.
7. If you use herb liquid for external application like skinning diseases, using more liquid when cooking. If you only have a small pot, you can cook herbs with small amounts of water in the pot, depending upon how much water the pot will hold. For example, if your pot only holds 6 cups water then you put all the herbs in the pot with 6 cups water and cook once, then you strain out the herb liquid, add more water to pot and cook a short time. After you get hot herb liquid, you use the steam to treat things like skin problems. Use for about 10mins, and beware to not burn yourself. When using externally, use warm liquid to wash problem area.
If you have any questions about cook, call us for detail.