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FAQS
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What is Acupuncture ?
Acupuncture involves inserting extremely fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body. There are 2,000 acupuncture points according to Traditional Chinese medicine. These points are connected by meridians or energetic pathways. Energy or Qi (pronounced “chee” which means vital energy), flows through the body using these pathways.
In a healthy body, Qi (vital energy) flows freely. Pain, lack of function, or illness are signs that Qi has been disrupted.
What can I treat with acupuncture ?
National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies to treat the following:
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Insomnia 1
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Chronic Pain
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Nausea
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Addiction
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Headaches
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Menstrual cramps
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Tennis elbow
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Fibromyalgia
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Myofascial pain
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Osteoarthritis
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Knee pain
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Low back pain
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Neck pain
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Carpal tunnel syndrome
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Asthma
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pain in all areas of the body,
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PTSD
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neuropathy,
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diabetes,
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weight loss,
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smoking cessation,
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anxiety,
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menopause,
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toxicity.
What are the benefits?
One of the biggest benefits of acupuncture is that it has very few adverse side effects. Meanwhile, many widely accepted western medical procedures used to treat the same conditions have serious side effects. For example, acupuncture is commonly used to address chronic musculoskeletal pain2.
The widely accepted western medicine treatments for chronic pain can have serious, sometimes addictive side effects.
According to NICDC,
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“The evidence supporting these [western medicine] therapies is no better than that for acupuncture.”3
What to expect?
Our acupuncturist will talk with you about your health history and perform a physical examination. The frequency and number of treatments differ from person to person. Those with acute symptoms may experience dramatic relief in just a few treatments. Those with chronic or complex health issues can expect it to take longer to see results.
The acupuncture treatment begins as you lie comfortably on a treatment table. Most people feel little or no discomfort as the fine sterile needles are gently placed into the skin. Treatment times vary from 5 to 30 minutes. Many patients find acupuncture treatments very pleasant and relaxing.
Drug Free Pain Relieve
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine have been providing drug free pain relief for thousands of years. It is believed the needles are stimulating the body’s central nervous system and activating its natural healing abilities.
What is cupping?
Cupping is an ancient healing therapy that some people use to ease pain. A provider places cups on your back, stomach, arms, legs or other parts of your body. Inside the cup, a vacuum or suction force pulls skin upward.
Cupping is a form of traditional Chinese and Middle Eastern medicine. People have practiced cupping therapy for thousands of years.
How does cupping work?
Experts are still exploring how cupping eases pain and disease symptoms. There isn’t a lot of research on the therapy.
Suction from cupping draws fluid into the treated area. This suction force expands and breaks open tiny blood vessels (capillaries) under the skin. Your body treats the cupping area like an injury. It sends more blood to the area to stimulate the natural healing process. Some people theorize that cupping clears the pores and releases toxins.
What does cupping treat?
People mostly use cupping to relieve conditions that cause pain. Some people say it also helps with chronic (ongoing) health issues. Cupping may ease symptoms of:
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Arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis
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Neck pain
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Back pain
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Knee pain and shoulder pain.
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Breathing problems, such as asthma
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Gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel disease (IBD).
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Headaches and migraines
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High blood pressure (hypertension)
How is cupping performed?
There are different ways to perform cupping. The steps vary slightly depending on the chosen method. Your provider will leave the cups in place for several minutes. Some treatments involve briefly moving the cups to stretch and massage the area.
Depending on the treatment, your provider may place multiple cups on your skin. Cupping methods include:
Dry: Your provider heats the inside of each cup — typically with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball that is set aflame. The heat sends oxygen out of the cup, creating a vacuum. Some providers use a suction device to remove air from cups. Once placed on your skin, the vacuum force pulls skin up into the cup.
Wet: Your provider uses a needle to lightly puncture your skin before, and sometimes after, cupping. Toxins leave the body through the puncture wounds during the cupping procedure.
What should I expect after cupping session?
The suction force from cupping breaks open tiny blood vessels under the skin. You will have round bruise-like marks that fade in a week or two.
What are potential risks or complications of cupping?
Cupping is a relatively low-risk therapy. Still, you may experience:
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Burns from heated cups
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Fatigue
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Headaches
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Muscle tension or soreness
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Nausea
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Skin infections, itching or scarring
Who shouldn't get cupping?
Because researchers know little about cupping’s effects on pregnancy, moms-to-be shouldn’t get the therapy. You should also forego cupping if you have:
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Bleeding disorders like hemophilia
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Blood clotting problems, such as deep vein thrombosis or history of strokes
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Skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis
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Seizures (epilepsy)
Who is Auriculotherapy?
Based in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ear seeds are a form of auriculotherapy, which uses acupressure points in the ear to stimulate other parts of the body.
“Auriculotherapy is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat and even prevent conditions like anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, nausea, vomiting, substance abuse and gynecological and digestive disorders,” Dr. Nguyen says. “The ear seed is like an acupuncture needle that you use to stimulate a channel to help the patient’s condition without needing to puncture the skin.”
So what exactly is an ear seed? They’re small latex stickers — about the size of a fingernail — that contain a ripe seed from the Vaccaria plant. Your acupuncturist places each ear seed carefully on your ear in specific acupressure points that correspond with the conditions you’re experiencing.
Types of ear seeds
The most commonly used ear seeds are made from Vaccaria seeds that are attached to an adhesive sticker, though some versions now are made with ion pellets, magnets, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic or other materials instead.
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If you have allergies to latex, bandages or tape, make sure to consult with your acupuncturist to use ear seeds with a backing that’s safe for you.
What auriculotherapy can threat?
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Acute pain
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Anxiety
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chronic pain
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Depression
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Infertility
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Insomnia
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Migraines
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Stress
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Substance abuse
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Weight issues
What are se side effects of using seeds
Ears seeds are generally safe to use, but there are some risks. Adverse reactions may include:
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Skin tenderness: If you rub your ear seeds too hard, you may cause yourself a little pain in the spots where they’re stuck.
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Skin irritation: If you have sensitive skin or leave them on your ears too long, you may experience redness, irritation or swelling.
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Allergic reaction: If you’re allergic to any of the ingredients in ear seeds or materials used, inform your acupuncturist and ask them to use a version that doesn’t include those allergens.
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Dizziness or nausea: Accidentally stimulating the wrong point on your body may make you feel faint, woozy or generally ill.
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Losing the seed in your ear canal: Though ear seeds are stuck to an adhesive, they’re not firmly affixed to it, which means the seed itself can fall off — and into your ear, which may require medical attention to remove. This is why Dr. Nguyen recommends having someone else apply them to your ears.
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Accidental labor: “There’s a certain point on the ear that can induce labor,” Dr. Nguyen warns, so save the ear seeds until after you’ve safely given birth.
How to use ear seeds
Thinking about trying ear seeds on your own? Dr. Nguyen explains how to get started and why you should see an acupuncturist beforehand.
Reduce Pain from Headaches
It is said that ear candles can help reduce the amount of pain a person experiences from a headache. The gentle suction and warmth helps to release pressure on certain blood vessels, which allows for relief if you experience tension headaches.
Please be aware that not all types of headaches are reduced by using this process though! Although it may be effective for some, not everyone will experience relief.
Help with Vertigo and Nausea
Ear candling is said to help with motion sickness, vertigo, and nausea. It helps by clearing the ear canal of any built-up wax that may be causing fluid build-up or pressure around your inner ears. Please note this isn’t a treatment for these conditions but it can relieve some symptoms!
Aid with Sinus Infections and Colds
It is said that ear candling can help with sinus infections and colds because it helps to clear the ears of built-up wax. This allows for your body to fight off infection naturally, rather than having a buildup of mucous in the ears causing pressure and pain.
What is Ear candling?
Ear candling, also known as ear coning, is a practice that has been around for centuries. During the process of ear candling, the pointed end of the candle is placed in the ear, while the other end is lit on fire. The warm heat transfers down the cone into the ear softening the built-up earwax. Later a gentle vacuum is created by the cone and the built-up earwax is gently pulled into the cone. It has been said to provide many benefits, including reducing pain from headaches, improving hearing, helping with vertigo and nausea, and more! In this blog post, we will discuss 8 benefits of ear candling that you may not have known about before.
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Does it Eliminates Excess Earwax?
Since earwax is a natural substance produced in the ears to help keep them clean and healthy, it only makes sense that removing excess wax will lead to better hearing. Although is not scientifically proof, the small candle can be used on certain areas of the body such as the nose or ears, which helps with sinus pain and pressure by gently pulling out any built-up wax.
Does it Improves Hearing?
Many people report an improvement in their hearing after ear candling. The process of removing excess wax helps to release the pressure behind it, which allows for better hearing.
It is believed that ear candles can help improve your ability to hear by irrigating and cleansing the Eustachian tubes (connecting each inner ear). This improves balance and pressure, which can make it easier to hear.
Improve Overall Wellbeing
Many people report feeling more relaxed and in a better mood after ear candling. The process of ear candling may reduce stress and anxiety by clearing the ears and sinuses, which can allow for improved breathing as well. For many people this has been an effective way to help with sleep!
Relieve Sore Throats
Ear candling has been known to help relieve sore throats. There are several reasons for this, one being that it can remove excess wax in the ear canal which reduces pressure and pain.
Another reason is because of the heat associated with the process, which helps open up your nasal passages allowing you to breathe easier. This allows everything from fluids to drain more easily, which also helps with sore throats.
Helps with Relaxation
The process of ear candling can help with several things, one being relaxation. The gentle warmth and suction helps to reduce stress, which allows for a calmer mood overall. It is recommended you use this at the end of your day or before bed so that it may help with sleep as well.
Risks and side effects
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Some of the potential risks and side effects include:
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burning the face, neck, eardrum, middle ear, or ear canal from hot wax or ash
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starting a fire
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puncturing the eardrum
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blocking the eardrum with candle wax
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bleeding
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contracting secondary infections
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experiencing temporary hearing loss
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developing otitis externa (swimmer’s ear)
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causing damage to the middle ear
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Such risks increase greatly when children are involved, as they tend to move around during the procedure, which can allow hot wax or ash to fall outside the protection of the covering.
Children also have much smaller ear canals than adults. This makes them more prone to blockages.
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By practicing ear candling instead of seeking medical attention, people might also allow underlying infections and other conditions requiring proper treatment to worsen.
Relieve Sore Throats
Ear candling has been known to help relieve sore throats. There are several reasons for this, one being that it can remove excess wax in the ear canal which reduces pressure and pain.
Another reason is because of the heat associated with the process, which helps open up your nasal passages allowing you to breathe easier. This allows everything from fluids to drain more easily, which also helps with sore throats.
Helps with Relaxation
The process of ear candling can help with several things, one being relaxation. The gentle warmth and suction helps to reduce stress, which allows for a calmer mood overall. It is recommended you use this at the end of your day or before bed so that it may help with sleep as well.
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