Frequently asked questions

Is Acupuncture Painful?

Many patients were nicely surprised that there was no pain at all while the needle was in. Even patients who have had previous experience with acupuncture before while receiving Dr. Chi’s treatment are pleasantly surprised at how virtually painless her acupuncture treatments is. Even kids can receive her treatment.



Acupuncture vs NSAIDS

Aspirin, Ibuprofin, Excedrin, and Tylenol are the commonly used medication for pain relief. We all use these drugs to stop headaches, backaches or any ache or pain. Do you know that each year, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause hospitalizations and deaths? Serious toxicity leading to hospitalization from NSAID use occurs for an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 people per year. Moreover, it is estimated that approximately 10,000 to 20,000 deaths per year are related to NSAID use. NSAIDs may potentially have several well-known side effects in your system such as stomach and/or intestinal damage liver damage and kidneys dysfunction while acupuncture has no side effects. In terms of the action on your muscle and joint pain, acupuncture works in a completely different manner than medication does. We attempt to enhance blood circulation, especially in the area that there is pain or discomfort. When circulation of the tissue improves, muscle relaxation occurs and in many cases immediate pain reduction follows.



What can Acupuncture help with?

Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) effective in treating the following conditions: The NIH Consensus Statement on Acupuncture In 1997 the U.S. National Institutes of Health published a Consensus Statement on the use and effectiveness of acupuncture for a variety of conditions: Upper Respiratory Tract

  • Acute sinusitis
  • Acute rhinitis
  • Common Cold and Flu
  • Acute tonsillitis
Respiratory System
  • Acute bronchitis
  • Bronchial asthma (Most effective in children and uncomplicated conditions.)
Eye Disorders
  • Acute conjunctivitis
  • Central Retinitis Myopia (in children)
  • Cataracts (without complications)
Mouth Disorders
  • Toothache
  • Post Extraction Pain
  • Gingivitis
  • Acute and Chronic Pharyngitis
Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • Spasms of esophagus
  • Hiccough
  • Gastroptosis
  • Acute and Chronic Gastritis
  • Gastric Hyperacidity
  • Chronic Duodenal Ulcer (pain relief)
  • Acute Duodenal Ulcer (without complications)
  • Acute and Chronic Colitis
  • Acute Bacillary Dysentery
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Paralytic Ileus
Neurologic and Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Headache and Migraine
  • Trigeminal Neuralgias
  • Facial Palsy (early stage, i.e., within 3-6 months)
  • Pareses Following a Stroke
  • Peripheral Neuropathies
  • Sequelae of Poliomyelitis (early stage, i.e., within 6 months)
  • Meniere’s Disease
  • Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction
  • Nocturnal Enuresis (bedwetting)
  • Intercostal Neuralgia
  • Cervicobrachial Syndrome
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Sciatica
  • Low Back Pain
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Back and Knee Pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Sports Injuries and Pains
Reproductive & Gynecological Conditions
  • Premenstrual Syndrome
  • Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps)
  • Spotting and Excessive Bleeding
  • Amenorrhea (Loss of Menstrual Period)
  • Impotence
  • Infertility
  • Incontinence
  • Prostatis
Mental Emotional Problems
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
The World Health Organization Interregional Seminar compiled the above list of illnesses that may benefit from acupuncture treatment. The list is only a partial list and is based on clinical experience, and not necessarily on controlled clinical research. The inclusion of specific diseases are not meant to indicate the extent of acupuncture’s efficacy in treatment, since all conditions may vary in severity and response. Sources: 1. NIH, Acupuncture, Nov. 3-5, 1997, Vol. 15, No. 5 2. World Health Organization. Viewpoint on Acupuncture. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 1979.



Besides Needles, what are other Treatment options?

Acupuncture is one of the main options of Chinese Medicine in U.S. There are more non-invasive options beside needles such as: Acupressure (finger pressure), Auricular point stickers (seed or magnatic bead), Tui-Na (theraputic massage), Qi-Gong (inner bio-energy cultivation training), Dietatics (healing thru. food & drink), and Herbal Medicine Formula (herbs decoction, herbal extract granule, pill, tablet, or capsule). Our practitioners always utilize different combnation of optins depend on personal constitution of different clients.