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What to Expect from
an Acupuncture Treatment
in my Clinic?
Attending my clinic for
a course of treatment can
be somewhat different from
visiting your primary care
provider, and may also differ
from other Acupuncturists
which you have received
care from. The Initial Consultation
can last from 60 to 1hr
30 minutes, then follows
the treatment which last
20 to 25 minutes. During
the initial consultation,
we first evaluate you condition
to carefully access if it
is treatable with acupuncture
and herbs. Then a detailed
case history is taken and
all patients currently on
a course of medications
should bring them along
to the initial consultation.
Then follows a period of
education where acupuncture
and Herbology are explained,
discussing how both mediums
are used to heal ones body,
and specifically to the
condition or disease in
question. During this time
the patient is educated
so that they clearly understand
what their role is and what
will be required of them
in this process of healing.
A treatment plan will be
put in place; this will
clearly show how many treatments
are required weekly and
why. Generally the treatment
plan allows for acupuncture
2-3 times weekly in the
beginning the reducing these
treatments as progression
to a healthier state is
achieved. The treatment
plan shows the patient how
long they can expect to
be under care, how many
treatments they will need
to have, and what is their
expected rate of progression.
Patient’s improvement
is charted and graphed so
that they can visually see
their improvement and their
positive results. Once a
treatment plan is put in
place subsequent treatment
sessions will last 20-25
minutes. A brief physical
exam will be conducted where
appropriate. The entire
proceedings are safeguarded
by total confidentiality.
What Determines the
number of Treatments?
Since each person is unique,
the number of treatments
needed will vary. Among
the determining factors
are the following.
- The nature of the complaint,
whether it is chronic
or acute. Generally speaking
acute conditions (meaning
only days old, no longer
than 5 days) require only
3-5 treatments back to
back, providing excellent
results, if not complete
recovery. It is very important
to understand that treating
a condition as quickly
as possible is the key.
Chronic conditions (meaning
a condition which the
patient may have for months
if not years will require
acupuncture twice to three
times weekly for the first
couple of weeks, then
reducing the number of
treatments weekly, as
progress is achieved.
- The general state
of health, Age and well-being
of the patient.
- The adherence of the
patient to the instructions
of the TCM practicioner
will greatly influence
the speed of recovery.
This is one of the elements
that I strongly encourage
my patients to adhere to.
I have found that the patients
who get the fastest results
are committed 100% to their
role is this process. I strongly
believe in educating my patients
to become active participants
in their own health care,
therefore empowering them
to become more in control
of their health choices, Generally
speaking these are very small
changes, and ones which can
be obtained easily, with direction
and advice. Therefore leading
to the end result of a quicker
recovery
- Lastly I feel that
the skill, style of treatment
and experience of the
practicioner cannot be
discounted.
It is important to understand
the Traditional Chinese
Medicine is not about symptom
suppression. Symptoms are
the final signs which arise
in the body after a condition
or disease has been manifesting
for some time. When a symptom
disappears it does not mean
that the condition or disease
is cured. Chinese medicine
concentrates on treating
the symptom first to generally
relieve pain but is more
concerned about investigating,
finding and resolving the
root cause of the condition,
and preventing it from reoccurring.
Are There Different
Kinds of Acupuncture?
Yes there are different
kinds, or styles, of Acupuncture.
Japanese style, Korean style,
Medical Acupuncturist (M.D’s
who practice acupuncture),
and Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM) to name but
a few. Traditional Chinese
Medicine is what my educational
background supports, and
this is what I practice.
The main difference is practicioners
of Traditional Chinese Medicine
base their practice and
obtain the knowledge form
classical text and traditional
theory which is at least
4000 years old. All Acupuncture
originated in China, but
different cultures adopted
it and changed it to suit
their cultural ideas and
beliefs. I also practice
Auricular therapy, which
is more commonly known as
ear Acupuncture; each session
includes this therapy, which
works synergistically with
Acupuncture and Herbology.
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