Do acupuncture needles hurt?
This is a common concern for people when first considering acupuncture. They use needles, right? That sounds painful to me, why should I try that?
When we think of needles, most of us think of the hollow needles used to give vaccines or to draw blood. Acupuncture needles differ from these types of needles because they are solid and much finer, some are finer than the width of a hair! They are designed to be comfortable for the patient. After all, we want you to feel the Qi, not the needle. Here's what that means:
When needled, the most common sensations people report are heaviness at the acupuncture point, a dull achy sensation, warmth, or a pleasant tingling, all sensations that in traditional Chinese medicine are considered therapeutic. You may hear this described as a Qi sensation, or the body's healing capacity being activated. Often my patients fall asleep after needles are in and get a good nap during treatment. Acupuncture isn't sensation-free but it shouldn't be painful. Did you know that acupuncture is even used as an adjunct method of anesthesia?
Is acupuncture safe?
Yes! Acupuncture is a relatively low-risk and effective medical treatment for a wide range of chronic and acute conditions. It also works well with other healthcare services you may already be familiar with, like chiropractic medicine, physical therapy and massage therapy. The most commonly reported adverse reaction to acupuncture is bruising at the needling site.
Are herbs safe?
Yes! Herbs are safe. Inner Spark Acupuncture & Holistic Medicine uses the Classical Pearls line of capsule formulas developed by Dr. Heiner Fruehauf and granule formulas using Legendary Herbs. Classical Pearls formulas are manufactured to strict quality standards, contain no added binders or fillers like maltodextrin, starches or silica dioxide, and are made with a small amount of bentonite clay to consolidate the herbs. Legendary Herbs are high quality and undergo rigorous testing throughout the manufacturing process and these tests are verified by a secondary lab to ensure the safety and efficacy of the product.
How do I get my herbs?
Inner Spark Acupuncture & Holistic Medicine works with Golden Cabinet Herbal Medicinary located in Portland, OR. If you are taking an herbal formula, I will email Golden Cabinet and set up the order for you, including whether you would like to pick up your herbs in-person or have them shipped to you. Shipping is typically about $5.00. The team at Golden Cabinet is excellent, and you can expect a phone call from them the same day the order email is sent. They will complete the purchase with you, and depending on the type of formula, you can expect a 1-2 day turnaround for your herbs. More information about the wonderful folks at Golden Cabinet Herbal Medicinary can be found online at https://goldencabinetherbs.com.
How does Acupuncture work?
While the exact mechanism of action is still being defined over time, acupuncture appears to have a therapeutic effect on the proprioceptors found in the muscles, tendons, and joints of the body. These neurons are part of the peripheral nervous system and help the body sense where it is in space, what action it is performing, and the force or load being applied to the body. Acupuncture helps the nervous system to communicate optimally, improving motor function and coordination, and reducing the risk of chronic musculoskeletal re-injury and pain. Many well-loved acupuncture points are located over spinal nerve roots and major nerve plexuses.
But wait, you might be saying, "that sounds great for someone who has body pain, but I'm dealing with insomnia," or "how does this help me manage my IBS symptoms?". The good news is that the therapeutic effect acupuncture has on the nervous system can be helpful for all of the tissues the nervous system innervates, which means it can help calm cramping intestines and also settle you into that "rest and digest" state that can lead to better quality sleep over time. This is the beauty and versatility of acupuncture!
How long will it take for me to see improvement in my health condition?
The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, and on average it takes 6-8 treatments to see improvement in acute conditions, sometimes fewer treatments. Chronic conditions may take more treatments to see improvement, because they have been present for a longer time. Additionally, maintenance treatments and treatments for overall wellness can be scheduled to fit what works best for you. Some patients feel best when getting acupuncture every two weeks, some once a month and others more or less frequently. We'll work together to plan treatment timing so that it works best for you and your schedule.
How long are treatments?
New patient acupuncture appointments are 90 minutes in length. Return patient acupuncture appointments are 60 minutes in length. Herbal consultations are 60 minutes in length.
What should I wear for acupuncture?
Comfy, loose-fitting clothes are ideal for getting acupuncture. Pants that roll up over the kneecap and sleeves that roll up over the elbow or shorts and a Tank/T-Shirt are great. If we need to treat areas on the back, torso or hips, linens are provided for draping so you are always comfortable and covered.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Inner Spark Acupuncture & Holistic Medicine accepts credit, debit and exact cash payments. A card is used to secure your appointment time when booking online and is subject to the cancellation policy. All payments are made in full at the time of service. A receipt will be emailed to you for your records. Easy!
Do you take insurance?
Currently, Inner Spark Acupuncture & Holistic Medicine is only accepting credit/debit and cash payments. Please check back here for a future update on which major healthcare insurance providers are accepted. I am happy to provide a superbill to you for your insurance needs.