Questions and Answers

Q: What is acupuncture?
A: Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points shown as effective in the treatment of specific health problems. These points have been mapped by the Chinese over a period of two thousands years. Recently, electromagnetic research has confirmed their locations. 

Q: What can be treated at King's Acupuncture?
A: They are listed in alphabetic order as follows:
Acid Reflux
Allergy
Asthma
Back Pain
Bell Palsy
Bursitis
Carpal Tunnel
Depression 
Digestive Disorder
Drug Addiction 
Dysmenorrhea 
Edema 
Emotional Imbalance
Fibromyalgia
Frozen Shoulder
Hay Fever
Headaches
Hypertension
Incontinence 
Insomnia
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Menstruation Disorder
Migraines
Muscle Spasm
Musculo-skeletal Pain (from neck to toe)
Nausea/vomiting
Nervousness
Neuralgia
Numbness
Obesity (weight control)
Paralysis
Rotator cup dysfunction
Sciatica
Sexual Impotence
Side effects of Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's
Sinus 
Smoke cessation 
Stiff Neck
Stress 
Stroke Rehab
Tendonitis
Tennis Elbow
Tic Douloureux
Tinnitis
Trigeminal neuralgia

Q: What problems can be treated by Acupuncture according to World Health Organization?
A: A committee of the United Nations World Health Organization has issued a list of over 30 disorders that lend themselves to treatment by Acupuncture.

1. Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders Headache and Migraine Trigeminal Neuralgia 
Facial Palsy (early stage, within 3-6 months)
Paresis following stroke
Peripheral neuropathies
Meniere Disease
Nocturnal enuresis
Cervicobrachial syndrome
Frozen shoulder
Tennis Elbow
Sciatica
Low Back Pain Osteoarthritis

2. Respiratory System
Acute Sinusitis
Acute Rhinitis Common Cold Acute Tonsillitis
Acute Bronchitis
Bronchial Asthma

3. Disorders of the Eye
Acute Conjunctivitis
Central Retinitis
Myopia (in children)
Cataract (without complications)

4. Disorders of the Mouth 
Toothaches, post-extraction pain
Gingivitis
Acute and chronic pharyngitis

5. Gastrointestinal Disorders
Hiccups
Acute and chronic gastritis
Gastric hyperacidity
Chronic duodenal ulcer
Acute duodenal ulcer (without complication)
Acute and chronic colitis
Constipation
Diarrhea

Q: What conditions may respond to acupuncture according to the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions?
A: Many conditions may respond to acupuncture, including those related to the following:
Neurological System
Musculo-skeletal System
Respiratory System
Gynecologic and Reproductive System
Digestive System
Genito-Urinary System
Acupuncture may also help with:
Acute and Chronic Pain 
Maintaining Emotional Balance
Stress Reduction and Detoxification

Q: How do acupuncturists treat health conditions?
A: Using the principles of oriental medicine, the acupuncturist will examine you by looking, listening, asking questions, and touching. This allows the acupuncturist to record a full case history.

Once an evaluation is made, the acupuncturist may insert very fine acupuncture needles into a number of points on your body. The purpose of the needles is to stimulate acupuncture points; the needles do not inject any substance into the body.

In some cases, acupuncture may be accompanied by electrical stimulation or the burning of moxa, a form of heat therapy. Acupuncturists may also use a variety of other techniques including cupping, Gua Sha, herbal remedies, oriental massage (Tui Na) or anointment/lotion. 

A Licensed Acupuncturist has extensive training covering both Eastern and Western Medical discipline as well as nutrition (East & West), counseling and massage. Licensed Acupuncturists very often would counsel patients on diet, exercise, and life style changes as part of the comprehensive holistic approach to maintain good health.

Q: What is a Licensed Acupuncturist?
A: An acupuncturist is a licensed health care professional who, based on the concepts of oriental medicine, maintains the health of patients and evaluates and treats their illness and pain.

Q: What is the difference between a Licensed acupuncturist and a Certified acupuncturist?
A: A licensed acupuncturist has completed a three year (a minimum of 4050 hours) professional training program in acupuncture, that includes both theory and hands- on clinical practice. In addition, a licensed acupuncturist must pass a state approved 2 day licensing examination before becoming licensed.
A certified acupuncturist is a medical doctor or a dentist who only needs to complete 300 hours of acupuncture study before issuance of a certificate. There is no requirement for state board examination before issuance of a certificate. Certified acupuncturists sometimes call themselves medical acupuncturists . Comparing to a licensed acupuncturist, a certified acupuncturist knows only the elementary aspect of the acupuncture and oriental medicine theory and has very limited hands- on clinical acupuncture training.

Q: What is the relationship between an acupuncturist and a medical doctor?
A: Acupuncturists are independent health care providers; you do not need a physician referral to receive treatment from an acupuncturist. 
By law, your acupuncturist must advise you of the importance of your seeing a physician. When this is done, you will be asked to sign a form saying that you were advised of this. You will get one copy of this form, and a second copy will become part of your record. 

Even though by law you do not need a physician referral, however for insurance purposes, many health insurance companies require a referral from your primary care provider (PCP) such as your family physician. 

Q: What credentials do New York licensed acupuncturists have?
A: A licensed acupuncturist has completed a three year professional training program in acupuncture after a minimum of two years of college education. This three year program (a minimum of 4050 hours) includes both theory and hands-on clinical practice. In addition, a licensed acupuncturist must pass a State-approved licensing examination before becoming licensed.

Q: How deep do the needles go? 
A: That depends upon the nature of the problem, the location of the points selected, the patient size, age, and constitution. Usually, needles are inserted from 1/4 to 1 inch in depth. 

Q: Does it hurt? 
A: The needles we use are much finer than the familiar hypodermic needles. In Chinese, acupuncture is bu tong, painless. Some western culture may categorize these sensations such as distention, tingling or heaviness as type of pain. In any case, if there is any discomfort, it is usually mild. In fact, while many acupuncture patients are initially wary of the claim that acupuncture doesn't hurt; they soon discover that the experience is quite pleasurable. Acupuncture has been proven to stimulate the release of opiate-like hormones and normally induces a deep state of relaxation, balance and healing. 

Q: How does acupuncture work?
A: Traditional acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese theories of the flow of Qi (Energy) and Xue (Blood) through distinct meridians or pathways that cover the body somewhat like the nerves and blood vessels do. According to ancient theory, acupuncture allows Qi to flow to areas where it is Deficient and away form where it is Excess. In this way, acupuncture regulates and restores the harmonious energetic balance of the body. In Chinese there is a saying, where is no pain if there is free flow; if there is pain, there is no free flow?

Even though modern Western Medicine cannot fully explain exactly how acupuncture works, recent scientific research gave the following plausible explanations for the efficacy of acupuncture treatments in certain disorders:

1. Acupuncture provokes the release of substance P, adrenal corticosteroids and beta endorphin. These substances are muscle relaxing, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving and thus are useful in treating musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. 
2. Acupuncture is useful in treatment of allergies and asthma because acupuncture promotes release of anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, improves leucocyte phagocytosis and increases immunoglobulin and T- cell levels. Animal studies show acupuncture improves microcirculation and lymphokinesis, promotes granulation, facilitates repair while at the same time inhibits excessive proliferation of granular tissue.
3. Acupuncture suppress auto-immunity and allergy because acupuncture increase immunoglobin and T-cell levels.
4. Acupuncture provokes the release of GABA , a neurotransmitter that prevents anxiety and stress related messages from reaching the motor centers of the brain.
5. Acupuncture provokes the release of serotonin- like substance which helps in maintaining emotional balance. 
6. Recent brain MRI imaging studies confirmed the efficacy of acupuncture in relieving pain.

Q: How many treatments will I need?
A: That depends upon the duration, severity and nature of the complaint. You may need only a single treatment for an acute condition. Most health problems take more than one treatment to resolve. Expect to have hour treatments before a reassessment. Many problems may require ten or more treatments before significant benefits accrue. Along the way, though, you should see an overall improvement in your health as your main complaint improves as well. 

Q: Is there anything I need to do before receiving an acupuncture treatment?
A: Yes, the following suggestions will help you get the maximum benefits from your treatment. 
1. Maintain good personal hygiene to reduce the possibility of bacterial infection. 
2. To prevent loss, do not wear jewelry.
3. Wear loose clothing. Women should not wear one-piece dresses. Avoid wearing tight stockings. 
4. Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry, full or emotionally upset. 

Q: Is there anything I need to do while receiving acupuncture?
A: Yes, again. 
1. Relax. There is no need to be frightened. Ask Dr. Lau, Dr. King or nurse-aid any questions you have along the way so that you can get the most benefit possible from the treatment.
2. Do not change your position or move suddenly. If you are uncomfortable, tell it to us.
3. Very rarely people would experience dizziness, nausea, cold sweat, shortness of breath, or faintness during treatment. This might occur if you are nervous. Inform your practitioner immediately so we can readjust or withdraw the needles. Also let your practitioner know if you feel an increasing amount of pain or burning sensation during the treatment.

Q: What can I expect after treatment?
A: Patients often experience the most dramatic results in the first treatment. Some patients experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms. This relief may last or some pain may return. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to notice the pain diminish over the next couple of days. Generally, you should expect to feel better.

Most patients will have more questions than this Q & A sheet can answer. We at  King's Acupuncture are used to answering questions such as: Should I continue to see my medical doctor? Should I continue taking my present medication? What should I eat? Is there anything I can do for myself at home? What sighs of success should I look for first and after how long? You are encouraged to discuss all of your questions in person with Dr. Lau or Dr. King.

What You Should Know About Acupuncturists and Their Services

How do acupuncturists treat health conditions?

Using the principles of oriental
medicine, the acupuncturist will
examine you by looking, listening,
asking questions, and touching. This
allows the acupuncturist to record a
full case history.

Once an evaluation is made, the
acupuncturist may insert very fine
acupuncture needles into a number of
points on your body. The purpose of
the needles is to stimulate acupunc-
ture points; the needles do not inject
any substance into the body. We
encourage you to ask your acupunc-
turist to use presterilized disposable
needles.

In some cases, acupuncture may be
accompanied by electrical stimula-
tion or the burning of moxa, a form
of heat therapy. Acupuncturists may
also use a variety of other techniques
to enhance acupuncture treatment.

When would I use the services of a
New York acupuncturist?

Many conditions may respond to
acupuncture, including those related
to the following:

- neurological system
- musculo-skeletal system
- respiratory system
- gynecologic and reproductive
system
- digestive system
- genito-urinary system

Acupuncture may also help with:

- acute and chronic pain
- maintaining emotional balance
- stress reduction and detoxification