Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does acupuncture feel like?

Acupuncture needles are metallic, solid, and hair-thin. People experience acupuncture differently, but most feel no or minimal pain, as the needles are inserted. Some people are energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed. Deliberate Stimulation of the needles can induce a more noticeable feeling or reproduce a slight ache or grabbing sensation. However, this is to your tolerance.

Is acupuncture safe?

Only sterile, nontoxic needles are used. These are disposable needles taken from a sealed package for each individual.

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture is one of the key components of the system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In the TCM system of medicine, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Yin represents the cold, slow, or passive principle, while yang represents the hot, excited, or active principle. Among the major assumptions in TCM are that health is achieved by maintaining the body in a "balanced state" and that disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of Qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. There are 12 main meridians and 8 secondary meridians and there are more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body that connect with them.