Over the past 5,000 years, acupuncture has evolved into a complete healing system that includes the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of conditions. This unique and ancient system of understanding the human body incorporates the treatment of the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. Health and harmony is achieved when the correct quantity, quality, and movement of Qi (pronounced “chee”) exists throughout the body. Qi animates the body and protects it from illness, pain, and disease. Illness, or lack of harmony (imbalance), is a result of the reduced quantity, quality, and movement of Qi.
What is Qi?
(pronounced “CHee”)
Qi is energy, life force, vital force.
What can affect Qi?
Qi is affected by stress, medicines, exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle. Some affect Qi positively, and some affect Qi negatively.
What will my acupuncturist do?
Your acupuncturist will begin by taking a full health history. This may include asking questions, assessing the energetic pulses, looking at the tongue and/or abdominal palpitation. These are effective diagnostic tools that enable your acupuncturist to obtain a clear picture of your overall health. If signs of weakness, imbalance or blockage are found, your acupuncturist may use a variety of non-invasive and gentle treatment methods to restore the balance and flow of Qi, thereby facilitating your natural ability to heal. Some of these techniques may include: acupuncture, acupressure, herbs, tuina, pediatric massage, moxabustion or cupping.
What kind of pulse will the acupuncturist take?
This pulse is an energetic pulse – it is unlike what your MD would count. The energetic pulse is an acupuncturist’s key diagnostic tool, and it changes moment to moment. It is like a gas gauge on a car. If the gasoline is Qi, the pulse is the gas gauge to show how much gasoline is in the tank. The pulse tells an acupuncturist the quantity of Qi a patient has and the quality.
Why does an acupuncturist want to look at my tongue?
The tongue is another diagnostic tool that acupuncturists use. It represents how the patient’s health was approximately three months ago. Different areas on the tongue represent different areas of the body. An acupuncturist will look at the shape, color, coating and moisture to help determine a diagnosis.
How many visits will I need to make?
Your acupuncturist will determine the number of treatments needed to help a patient after a diagnosis is reached.
Do the needles hurt?
Most patients do not feel the needles go into the skin. The needle is the thickness of a human hair and is only inserted 1/10 of an inch. After insertion the patient may feel Qi sensations which can feel like warmth or tingling throughout the body.
Can you use acupuncture on children?
Absolutely. We have treated infants as young as 9 days old. Infants and children can be treated for a wide range of conditions and respond faster to treatments than adults. Caring for your child’s health with acupuncture is safe, natural, drug-free and effective. It’s the perfect way to allow your child to grow and thrive.
10. What type of education does an acupuncturist have?
After obtaining a Bachelors degree, and acupuncturist will go to school for 4 years to attain a graduate degree in Oriental Medicine; this program is similar to medical school for a medical doctor. An acupuncturist will then take the National Board Examination to become certified. After completion of the board exams, an acupuncturist will apply for licensing in his or her state of employment.
What is cupping?
Cupping is one of many ways to treat local congestion of Qi. A partial vacuum is created in a jar, usually by means of heat, and then the jar is applied to the skin.
What is moxabustion or moxa?
Moxa is an herb that is used to warm up a meridian or pathway of Qi. It smells like incense.
Does insurance cover acupuncture?
Sometimes. At Hipple Acupuncture, we are happy to fill out our form so that you can send it to your insurance company for reimbursement. Flexible or Flex spending accounts do typically cover acupuncture.
How much does acupuncture cost?
Acupuncture treatments at Hipple Acupuncture costs $95 for an initial treatment, which lasts 1½ hours. Any following treatment lasts for one hour and costs $75 for adults. Children’s acupuncture treatments lasting less than 15 minutes cost $30, and treatments lasting 15-30 minutes cost $50.
According to the World Health Organization, the National Institutes for Health, and clinical experience, Acupuncture is useful in the treatment of:
