Acupuncture
Fear not! The Acupuncture needles that we use are as slender as a hair. They are pre-sterilized and disposable. Most people feel little or no discomfort. Even kids love acupuncture. And once the needles are in, most people relax and enjoy a peaceful acu-nap.
That depends on the nature of your complaint. Most patients see results (but may not yet be cured) within 4-8 treatments. Many acute problems are resolved within 1-2 treatments. Some chronic issues can’t be cured, but their health can be managed with ongoing treatment. We’ll discuss this during your first visit. After your symptoms improve, we encourage you to come for regular wellness visits to manage stress and maintain their good health.
Ideally, you should have a relaxed and easy day, avoiding strenuous exercise for at least 6 hours after your treatment.
Absolutly not! Acupuncture needles can’t spread disease. We use only sterile, disposable needles. They are used once and then discarded into a biohazard waste container, which is then processed safely, according to the law.
The short answer is yes. Chinese Medicine doesn’t treat “diseases.” It treats “patterns.” These “patterns” can include any number of western medical conditions. Chinese diagnosis and treatment are paradigmatically different than Western Medicine. We have a saying: “Different diseases, same treatment; same disease, different treatment.” For example, we might treat three patients for headaches; each will receive a unique acupuncture treatment and a custom herb formula. That’s because the first person had a sinus headache, the second a tension headache, the third had neck pain. Each problem presents uniquely: it reflects a different pattern, a different diagnosis, and a different treatment.
On the other hand, one patient might have a headache, and the next patient has reflux. Because they both might present with the same pattern, they’d be treated with similar points and herbal formulas.
Chinese Medicine views the body, mind, and spirit as part of these patterns, making it a truly holistic system.
Most people feel extremely relaxed. Many nap during their acupuncture treatment.
Absolutely not! Six Fishes welcomes collaborative relationships with your health care providers.
Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine are distinct systems, and each one has important strengths. Neither medical tradition offers all the answers. Our clinical decisions are based on our values of safety, efficacy. We want what is right and best for you.
Of course, we champion the use of Chinese Medicine as a pragmatic and effective health care modality. But we also believe that both systems can be integrated harmoniously.
An Acupuncturist is a person who has graduated from a nationally accredited Acupuncture School. At Six Fishes, our practitioners have different credentials based on their training, as well as the state where they received their education. Acupuncturists must pass written and practical state and national board exams to become licensed. Licensed acupuncturists are also certified in Clean Needle Technique.
Currently, most states require a 4-year Master’s degree in Acupuncture (MSAC) or Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM) from an accredited acupuncture school for licensure. Training includes all aspects of biomedicine as well as Traditional Oriental Medicine.
At Six Fishes, most of our practitioners all have additional national certification in Chinese Herbology.
Acupuncture originated in China over 2,500 years ago and is a primary and complementary health care modality throughout the world. Chinese Medicine views disease as the result of an imbalance or blockage in the body’s natural energy flow. It is a method of balancing and building the body’s energy, known as “qi” (pronounced “chee”). Acupuncturists insert sterile needles into unique points that lay on particular pathways called channels that circulate energy throughout the body.
The list of conditions that acupuncture may help is virtually limitless. The most common conditions we treat in the clinic are allergies/asthma, headaches, anxiety/depression, fertility, neurological diseases, and pain anywhere in the body.
Chinese Medicine treats the whole person by viewing the body, mind, and spirit as being on a continuum. Such imbalances can manifest as physical, emotional, and stress-related disorders. Patients feel relief from their symptoms, along with a feeling of vitality and peace.
Acupuncture is only one a part of a more extensive health care system. Chinese Medicine also includes herbs, exercise, and diet and lifestyle changes.
Stop guessing. Start living.
Whether it’s your first step to a healthier life or your last resort, Chinese medicine gives you the power to make positive change.
