FAQs

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a modality that has been used in China for over two thousand years that uses fine, disposable needles that are strategically placed in different areas of the body to help tonify any underlying deficiency, extinguish excess, and restore balance in the body’s “channels” or energy pathways. These channels are components of the body, such as blood flow, muscle pathways, and lymph return.

How does acupuncture work?

Needles are placed in “points” around the body during a session.  These needles can stimulate the body’s nervous system, which in turn stimulates your body’s muscles, endocrine system, and brain to release chemicals that help trigger the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Acupuncture helps the body down-regulate its own stress response.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Acupuncture is performed with fine, single-use hair-like needles.  Each person feels different sensations while the needles are retained, but pain should not be one of those sensations.  A person may feel a slight pinch when the needle is inserted, and a heavy sensation or tingling sensation while the needles are retained. If a needle is painful, it can be removed or adjusted to bring relief.

When will I see results?

Some issues (such as acute pain) can see some improvement immediately after each treatment, and other more chronic problems may take a series of treatments to guide the body back to its optimal state. Generally, acupuncture is not a one-and-done therapy, but a process to healing and success.

Do I have to believe in acupuncture in order for it to work?

No. Acupuncture works whether or not you think it will. Acupuncture is even used successfully on animals and children. They do not understand or believe in the process yet they benefit from treatments. Of course a positive attitude helps with any type of healing therapy but it is not necessary to “believe” in acupuncture (or to feel it working) for it to have a positive effect.

Is Acupuncture safe?

One of the great advantages of acupuncture is the absence of side effects. Needles generally cause no bleeding or pain and all the needles I use are single-use disposable needles. Mild bruising can occur but is generally uncommon. Acupuncturists are trained in exact location, angle as well as depth of insertion of the acupuncture needle to avoid any injuries.

How are Chinese herbal formulas different than Western pharmaceuticals?

Chinese herbal formulas tend to be much gentler on the patient’s organ systems than Western medicines. Herbal formulas are more like food therapy. They work to not only help relieve symptoms, but to help the body return to a state of balance. During the treatment phase, as the body moves toward equilibrium the herbal formula is often modified to meet the changing needs of the body. Once equilibrium has been reached the herbal medicine is discontinued. However, though the treatment phase is complete, many people opt to take small doses of herbs in order to maintain their health going forward.

Can you take Chinese herbs and medication at the same time?

It depends on the medications you are taking. This will be evaluated on a case by case basis. 

What does acupuncture treat?

PEAK Acupuncture treats a wide scope of conditions. Please contact me for more information.

According to the World Health Organization, Acupuncture can treat the following:

Respiratory Tract issues

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Sinusitis

Rhinitis

Hiccups

Common cold

Gastroptosis

Acute tonsillitis

Gastric hyperacidity

Acute and chronic gastritis

Bronchopulmonary Disorders

Chronic duodenal ulcer

Acute bronchitis

Acute and chronic colitis

Bronchial asthma

Constipation

Diarrhea 

Disorder of the Eye

Acute conjunctivitis

Central retinitis

Neurologic and Orthopedic Disorders

Headache

Migraine

Trigeminal neuralgia

Disorders of the Mouth Cavity

Facial paralysis

Pain after tooth extraction

Peripheral neuropathy

Paralysis caused by poliomyelitis

Acute and chronic pharyngitis

Meniere’s syndrome

Neurogenic bladder dysfunction

Nocturnal enuresis

Intercostal neuralgia

Periarthritis humerroscapularis

Tennis elbow

Sciatica, lumbar pain

Rheumatoid arthritis

Do you take insurance?

Yes! Please see our insurance page here for more info.