FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of very thin, filiform (solid) needles into various "points" on the body, chosen according to Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostic techniques. The needles we are most familiar with are those used for injecting fluids/medications -- for this purpose, they must be hollow, and much larger in diameter than acupuncture needles. Acupuncture needles are hair-like and flexible -- they may have a brief sting when inserted, but we are neither putting anything into the body or taking anything out. It is basically a painless process.
The human body was mapped out many centuries ago by the Ancient Chinese Masters (and the Ayurvedic Masters did the same thing) into channels or meridians, most of which run length-wise along the body. It represents our body as sort of an electrical grid, with each point representing a switch or a fuse. Even in my yoga practice and teaching, I frequently will remind my students to "plug in" to the ground wherever their body is touching -- and this does help to "ground" and center us. In Acupuncture, the needles do the work of connecting, re-connecting and repairing connections in your nervous system. It is a passive experience, but very much like a "reboot" of your whole Self.
Our brain runs on electrical impulses, so it makes sense that the insertion of a small stainless steel needle under the skin, naturally creates an electrical reaction. The needles help to re-direct our energy, either stimulating or calming the central nervous system, as needed, and thereby facilitating the body-mind to heal itself.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, each channel corresponds to a specific organ system and its functions. And each point on each channel has certain actions and effects that it controls, however, it's when you combine them together in various "point prescriptions" that the medicine really begins to work. When all of your circuits/fuses are healthy and fully functioning, your grid will light up just fine! And you will feel great -- most people experience a deep sense of well-being and peace during and for some time after each treatment.
Acupuncture is part of the whole "system" of Chinese Medicine, which involves not simply learning and memorizing the 360+ points on the body -- where they are located anatomically, what their functions are separately, and then all of the many actions and effects they have when combined -- but also how to determine which points to use and when; how to insert the needles (the angle, direction and if any stimulation should be used) and how often to administer for the best outcome. In order to figure this out, a practitioner must also train and become proficient in how to diagnose the root cause of the main complaint or disease. This is the foundation for deciding which points to incorporate. It is also the safest and most effective way to select herbal remedies for each patient.
Does Acupuncture hurt?
The short answer is "NO." It should not "hurt." The needles are inserted just below the surface of the skin. You may feel a quick pinch or sting as a needle is inserted, but this should quickly dissipate. Some areas of the body are more prone to be sensitive, such as the tops of the feet and the back and palms of the hands and around any bony joints. It is simply because there is not as much flesh in these areas and they also have many nerve endings.
Please note: some points may feel more sensitive than others when first needled, but it can be a different experience each time. Focusing on the breath is very helpful with needle insertion and Dr. Raven is happy to guide you through this process.
I'm freaked out by needles -- can I still get a treatment?
Yes! Absolutely. This is always an option, however, most people's fears are based on a lack of understanding about the needles themselves. The average person thinks of a hypodermic needle which is large and must be hollow in order for blood to be drawn or for medicine to be injected into your body.
Acupuncture needles are quite thin and flexible as they are solid. We are not putting any substances into your or taking anything out during a treatment! At most, there is a quick pinch on insertion that quickly goes away. Sometimes you may not even feel the needle go in.
If you still feel uneasy about the needles, make sure you ask for "AcuPoint Therapy" when you make your appointment and we'll take care of you!
Raven developed her "AcuPoint Therapy" program initially for kids/babies, but anyone can benefit from this "no-needles" version of treatment. And no, it's NOT an "acupressure massage." The same acupuncture points are treated, but a different set of tools is used to stimulate the points. You will go through some diagnostic testing and an intial exam first -- from this information and your Main Complaint, Raven will select the points to be used and the tools as well.
Just as in a regular treatment, you will most likely become very relaxed and may fall asleep on the table.
How many Acupuncture treatments do I need?
Acupuncture is not "one-size fits all" -- it is holistic medicine, which means that we treat each patient as a "whole" person.
We start with a very in-depth look at your medical history and current complaints, as well as doing Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostic tests. From all of this information, we come up with a TCM Diagnosis and Treatment Plan and a set of points that we begin to use for you.
The process is fluid and collaborative -- while Raven is the practitioner delivering treatments, she depends on you to notice changes from day to day and week to week, no matter how small they may be at first, or if they fluctuate wildly from treatment to treatment -- there is no judgement on our part. And there is no "one trajectory" that everyone follows. Treatments and patient responses are neither "good" nor "bad" -- sometimes they are more effective than others and sometimes you will respond more strongly with one treatment than another. All of this is taken into consideration as you go from week to week.
So, the short answer is that each person is different, but from our experience and delivering thousands of treatments with successful outcomes, it usually takes at least 4 treatments to see any significant change -- and then anywhere from 6- 8 more treatments to make the effects long-lasting. Again, this can differ drastically from person to person, depending on their age, the severity of their condition, how long they have had the condition, and what their overall general health is like.
Please remember that acupuncture is also "cumulative", meaning that one treatment builds on the one before. It is not a "magic pill" that will work if you try it once!
Think of acupuncture as your "passive workout routine." Does physical/active working out do anything if you just try it once? Or if you just do it from time to time? No, of course not! In fact, the healing process will take LONGER if you start and stop, and start again -- kind of like driving a car with one foot on the brake and one foot on the gas! You won't get very far that way... so trust your practitioner and follow your treatment plan and recommendations -- You won't regret it!
Keeping up with regular treatments creates more and more healing on the inside... and the effects last longer and become more permanent when you are consistent and regular in your routine.
What kind of training must an Acupuncturist have to become Licensed and Nationally Board-Certified?
In order to become a practicing Acupuncturist, at minimum, one must complete a 3-4 year Master's degree from an accredited college or university. Every candidate must also take and pass the Clean Needling Technique course before graduation.
The Master's degree program in Acupuncture is a rigorous course of study which involves not only learning Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, but taking the same science courses that are required for western medical doctors, in addition to 2 years of Biomedical study.
Graduates must also complete over 3,000 hours of training in clinical methods, needling, plus years of clinical assistantships and internships, as they begin to treat patients under the supervision of a licensed acupuncturist/ mentor.
Upon receiving their degree, a candidate may apply to take the 3-4 national board exams. Most states require the national board exams be taken and passed before a candidate is allowed to apply for licensing. The examination and licensing process can take anywhere from 4-12 months.
Practitioners also receive training in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Chinese and Western Nutrition (approximately 200 hours), Qi Gong, Tai Chi and Tuina Acupressure as part of their curriculum.
Anyone who has received their Master's degree may choose to continue on into a clinical doctoral program, which may take anywhere from 2-3 years to complete.
