• 1) What Is Acupuncture? • 8) Is Acupuncture needling safe? • 9) How many needles should be used in each treatment? • 10) Can I receive Acupuncture if I am pregnant? • 11) Should I stop other medications? • 12) How long each session takes? • 13) How many sessions do I need for treatment? • 14) Does medical insurance cover acupuncture treatment? • 15) Do you have gift vouchers?
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Acupuncture is a complete medical system originated from China more than 300 years ago. It applies traditional Chinese medicine theory to diagnose and treat illness, prevent disease and improve well-being by inserting acupuncture needles at critical points through human body. Due to its proven effectiveness, it has been becoming more and more popular throughout the world. In traditional Chinese medicine, there exists meridian system through human body and more than 360 acupoints are located at these meridians. Qi, or a stream of energy, flows through these meridians and acupoints to support tissue, muscles and organs. When the Qi is obstructed in certain critical points, or acupoints, the function of tissue, muscles and organs will be impaired. By inserting acupuncture needles into acupoints helps the release of Qi flow and corrects Qi imbalances at the organ level to improve your energy and internal processing. The acupoints are the areas along a meridian where the energy comes together and rises to the surface of the body. It can therefore be more easily accessed and redirected with the use of a needle. There are 12 major meridians in the body. Each of these is like a highway transporting energy and blood to its respective internal organ (Liver, Heart, Lung, Spleen, Kidney, etc.). When the energy in a meridian is not moving properly, it can, in turn, affect the proper functioning of the organs and cause imbalances throughout the body. Since acupuncture promotes the body's natural healing ability, many conditions can be corrected or improved. Also, it is being recognized that acupuncture is a comprehensive system of preventive health care and health maintenance. The effectiveness of acupuncture extends far beyond the conception that it is only useful for chronic pain management or as an analgesic. It has been discovered by many athletes that acupuncture treatment helps them to reach optimum performance levels. Recently acupuncture detoxification treatments have been recognized as a valid form of therapy for chemical dependency problems such as drinking, drug and smoking. Throughout its long history, acupuncture has established a solid reputation as an excellent alternative for health care. 6) What Conditions Are Commonly Treated by Acupuncture? According to my clinic experience, the following conditions can be treated by acupuncture most effectively. Pain Relieve and Control It is well proven that acupuncture can treat many types of pain conditions such as Arthritis, Cervical Spondylopathy, Knee Pain, Hand and Foot Pain, Sciatica, Shoulder Pain, Tennis Elbow, Lower Back and Neck Pain, Tendonitis, etc. More than half of my patients who suffered from different pains visited my office. Most of them have received satisfied treatment results. I have some patients who suffered injury due to car or sports accidents. They are also very pleased with acupuncture treatment. Headache & Migraines Many of my patients have suffered from headache or migraine for many years. Before accepting acupuncture treatment, they have tried almost everything. However, none of these approaches really work. After having acupuncture treatment, they felt remarkable improvement of their condition. Quit Smoking It usually takes three to five sessions of acupuncture treatment to have smokers to quit. Other Conditions I have successfully treated other diseases and conditions such as Anxiety and Depression, Facial Paralysis, Insomnia, Neuralgia, Stroke Rehabilitation, TMJ, Whiplash, etc. Tom Shanahan, founder of the Irish College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Dublin states that acupuncture is not restricted to any area of human infirmity, whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. "Acupuncture can even improve depression fairly significantly," he says. "The massive benefit is that it is not restricted to physiological conditions. People who have emotional problems, social inadequacies, or even an inability to communicate may also benefit." Prior to their first treatment, many people do not believe that acupuncture can be painless. Different sensations such as soreness, numbness, distending, warmth and pressure may be felt, but the energetic sensation differs from pain. People often comment that the feeling is unfamiliar but pleasant and relaxing. Acupuncture needles are very fine, about the size of a thick hair. They are solid and nothing is injected through them. Over the centuries, refined needle insertion techniques have been developed which enable the skilled acupuncture practitioner to place a needle with little or no sensation. If you have a real fear of needles, discuss it with your acupuncturist. An appropriate treatment strategy can always be agreed upon. 8) Is acupuncture needle safe? Yes! Because now acupuncture is carried out with sterile and disposable needles, Acupuncture is a relatively non-invasive treatment with no inherent side effects. Some people may experience agitation or exhaustion afterwards, but these symptoms often disappear within a few hours. Anyone who is susceptible to excessive bruising, clotting disorders or currently taking blood-thinning medication should consider avoiding acupuncture, as there is a chance of damaging the blood vessels. Women who are pregnant should not allow needle insertion on or near the abdomen. 9) How many sessions do I need for treatment Since each person is unique, the number of treatments needed will vary. Among the determining factors are the type of condition, whether the condition is chronic or acute, and the vitality of the individual. Again, you should discuss your treatment program with your acupuncturist. 10) Can I receive Acupuncture if I am pregnant? Yes. Because there are some points that are contraindicated during pregnancy, it is very important to inform your practitioner if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant as there are needle points that must be avoided. 11) Should I stop other medications? No. You should continue to follow your current physician's instructions. Please remember that acupuncture is used to complement and supplement your physician's treatments not to replace them. You should discuss this issue with your physician and acupuncturist. A word of caution though. You may find your medication working more efficiently since Acupuncture has a tendency to remove blockages and balance the energetic pathways. If your medication is dosage sensitive, make sure you see your Doctor to monitor your dosages. Make sure you know what the signs of overdosing are, if any. It is never a good idea to stop taking medication without your Doctor's guidance. Western pharmaceuticals are potent. In many cases you need to reduce dosages gradually to avoid unpleasant reactions.
12) How long does each session takes? I allow an hour for each session. Not all of this time will be used by needling. Generally speaking, the quality of acupuncture treatment relies on the experience and skill of an acupuncturist. They are combination of diagnosis of symptom, accuracy of acupoints, timing, the depth and angle of insertion, techniques of manipulation, etc.During the last part of the session you will have time to relax and take it all in before you leave.
13) How many sessions do I need for treatment? Since each person is unique, the number of treatments needed will vary. Among the determining factors are the type of condition, whether the condition is chronic or acute, and the vitality of the individual. Again, you should discuss your treatment program with your acupuncturist.
14) Does medical insurance cover acupuncture treatment? Yes, We are registered with the main health insurance providers (Viva, Quinn and VHI) which means that you can offset €20 per visit for up to 12 visits on approved complementary therapies, but it is worth checking our individual policy to make 100% sure.
15) Do you have Gift Vouchers? Yes. Gift Vouchers are a delightful way to introduce someone to the benefits of acupuncture. They are valid for up to 6 months from the date of purchase, and they can be made out for any service we offer. | 
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