Acupuncture  FAQs

Hello!  Welcome  to  Dr. Jake’s   Acupuncture  Clinic.  We’ve  compiled  a   list  of  Frequently  Asked  Questions  that would  hopefully  address  any  questions   or  concerns  you  may  have:

1. Does  it  hurt?

Patients  are  able  to  lie  still  and  relax  once  the   needles  are  in.    A  clinic  full  of  sleeping,  snoring   patients  shows  that  the  overall  effect  is  relaxation   and  healing,  not  hurting.    Most  first  time  patients   are  actually  hurt  more  by  their  fear  rather  than  the   needles  themselves.    Only  to  realize  that  once  the   needles  go  in,  they  had  nothing  to  fear  after  all. The   needles  inserted  are  solid  and  extremely  thin,   whereas  injection  needles  are  straw  shaped  and   have  a  cutting  edge.    Acupuncture  needles  are   meant  to  pass  thru  the  skin  to  stimulate  the  body,   causing  little  to  no  damage  whereas  injection   needles  cuts  through  everything  it  passes,  leaving  a   hole  that  you  have  to  bandage  and  press  closed.     That  being  said,  it  is  the  role  of  acupuncture  to   achieve  what  in  Chinese we  call  the “De  Qi” or  the   “Qi  sensation.”    It  is  usually  described  as  a  heavy,   deep,  numbing  or electric  sensation.   It  is  important  to  let  Dr.  Jake  know  how  it  feels,  so   he  can  adjust  accordingly.    Just  feel  relaxed  and   open,  with  no  expectations.   Do  not  move  or  tense   up, as  this  will  only  be  painful  for  you.    Some  points   will  be  more  painful  than  others,  this  is  because   the  Qi  is  blocked  in  that  area,  if  you  are  able  to   relax  through  the pain,  energy  will  flow  and  the   body  will  heal  faster.    The  treatment  will  work   better if  you  consciously  relax  and  smile,  quiet   your  mind,  and  just  imagine  you  are  a  happy  baby   in  the  mother’s  womb.

2. What  is  that  smell?

 It  is  from  the  burning  of  Chinese  medicinal   herbs  called  “moxa”  or  moxibustion  therapy.     Commonly  known  as  “mugwort” or  “Damong   Maria” (Artemisia).    It  is  placed  in  a  moxa  box  and   put  on  top  of  the  patient’s  abdomen  or  on  specific   needles.    Its  purpose  is  to  warm  the  body  so  that  Qi   flows  in  the  body  and  more  Qi  is  produced.  The   smoke helps the  patient  to  relax  and  it  clears  the   air,  as  well  as  the  lungs.

3. How  long  is  the  treatment?

The  treatment  proper  takes an  hour or   less.  The  acupuncture  needles  are  inserted   and  left  on  the  body  for  25  minutes,  and  then ventosa/cupping  will  be  applied  and  left  on   the  body  for  10  minutes.

4. Can  I  get  a  massage  or  work  out  after   my  session?

 Better  to  do  it  on  another  day.  This  is  to   maximize  the  effect  of the  acupuncture   treatment.  Give  your  body  at  least  the  entire   day  to  take  it  easy  and  to  rest.

5. Can  I  take  a  bath  after  the  session?

 Do  not  take  a  bath  for  at  least  6  hours.   Better  if  you  can  hold  it  off  until  the  next  day.     Acupuncture  is  a warming  and  opening   process so  Cold  and  Wind  must  be  avoided.     These  are  known  to enter  the body and   disrupt  the  healing  process.

6. There  are  bruises  and  hematoma   where  the  needles  were.  Is  that  normal?

 That  happens.  In  Chinese  Medicine,  it   means  the blockages  to  the  flow  of  Qi  have been  removed  from  the  inner  organs  and  out   onto  the  skin.  The  bruise  resolves  by  itself after  a  few  days.  If  it  bothers  you,  you  can   apply  warm  compress  3x  a  day  for  15   minutes.

7. There  is  bleeding  from  where  the   needles  were  pulled  out.  Is  that  normal?

That  happens.  In  Chinese  Medicine,  it   means  body.  We  try  to  express  more  blood   out  of  the  point,  before  wiping. This  is  dirty   blood  from  your  inner  body  coming  out.

8. How  long  will  the  marks  from  the   ventosa  last  on  my  back?

 For  first timers,  it  may  last  between  3  days to  a  week.  The  marks  represent  your dirty   blood,  negative  energy, and  stagnation.   Doing  ventosa  regularly  removes  the  old,   unhealthy  Qi  and  blood  allowing  the  body  to   provide  new  and  fresh  Qi  and  Blood.  This   improves  circulation  and  cleans  the  body.   With  the  body  clean  and  fresh,  the  marks  will   be  less  and  gone  in  3  days.

9. How  often  should  I  come  back?

Acupuncture  therapy  is  ideally  done   everyday  for  10  days  straight,  this  is  one   treatment  period.    So  for  severe  disease   better  to  come  often  (3x/week),  for  not  so   severe,  once  or  twice  a  week  will  do.    It   depends  on  what  we  are  treating,  how   severe  the  imbalance, and  how  quickly your   body  responds  to  the  treatments.   Nevertheless,  we  should  strive  to follow  Dr.   Jake’s lifestyle  advise  and  best  practices constantly  while  undergoing  treatment,  as   any  deviation  just  increases  the  number  of   sessions  you  will  need  in  order  to  restore   balance  in  your  body.