FAQ
Frequently
Asked
Questions
by
Our
Patients
 |
Whatever
joy there
is in this
world,
ll
comes from desiring
others to be happy,
And
whatever suffering
there comes in this
world,
All
comes from desiring
(only) ourselves
to be happy.
-Shantideva- |
|
Does
acupuncture hurt?
Most
people
find
acupuncture
quite
painless
and
very
pleasant.
Occasionally
a
needle
will
sting
for
a
moment
as
it
is
inserted,
but
this
pain
is
very
temporary,
and
quickly
disappears.
Very
rarely
will
a
needle
hurt
more
that
a
few
seconds.
If
it
does,
please
let
your
acupuncturist
know,
so
that
the
needle
can
be
removed
or
repositioned.
How
deeply are needles inserted?
Acupuncture
is
performed
with
very
thin
needles
that
are
inserted
from
very
superficially
to
a
depth
of
about
2
inches,
depending
on
what
part
of
the
body
is
being
treated.
Over
bony
areas
the
needles
are
placed
very
shallowly,
over
the
major
muscles
(such
as
the
gluts)
needling
can
be
deeper
to
penetrate
into
the
muscle
tissue.
How
long do the needles stay
in place?
Usually
needles
will
stay
in
place
for
15-30
minutes,
while
you
get
to
enjoy
a
nice
rest.
Are
the needles sterile?
Yes,
most
acupuncturists
(if
not
all)
in
the
U.S.
use
disposable
needles
that
are
sterile,
so
there
is
no
risk
of
transmitted
diseases.
Are
there any side effects
to acupuncture?
The
most
common
side
effect
of
acupuncture
is
bruising.
Sometimes
patients
will
feel
light
headed
or
sleepy
after
a
treatment.
Severe
side
effects
are
very
rare,
and
are
usually
the
result
of
poorly
trained
practitioners.
What
other modalities are used
by acupuncturists?
Massage,
cupping
(the
use
of
glass
cups
with
suction
created
by
a
vacuum
in
the
cup),
and
moxibustion
(using
an
herb
called
Artemesia
vulgaris
to
heat
up
certain
acupuncture
points)
are
commonly
used
by
acupuncturists
as
an
adjunct
to
the
acupuncture.
Often
the
needles
will
also
be
hooked
up
to
an
electrical
stimulation
machine,
which
feels
like
a
slight
tapping
sensation
around
the
needles.
Are
there any contraindications
to acupuncture?
Acupuncture
should
not
be
performed
if
you
are
very
hungry
or
thirsty,
or
if
you
are
under
the
influence
of
alcohol
or
drugs.
Acupuncture
is
generally
not
be
performed
for
patients
who
are
completely
exhausted
or
very
weak
(other
modalities,
such
as
moxibustion
and
herbal
therapy
may
be
more
appropriate
at
such
a
time).
Electro-acupuncture
should
not
be
performed
on
people
who
have
a
pace-maker.
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