Acupuncture and Neural Therapy FAQ’s

Treatment FAQ’s

 

Acupuncture and Neural Therapy FAQ’s

What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture, which has been around for over 3,000 years, is the practice of inserting and manipulating very fine needles to help your body to function better and with fewer symptoms. Symptoms are simply a sign that there is an imbalance in your body or a “dis-ease” of living.

Dr. Amy Oros likes to compare acupuncture to electricity. If “electricity” is flowing correctly, “lights” work as needed/when needed. If your body’s “current” is flowing correctly, your body is in balance. However, if you've ever worked or studied in an office with flickering florescent lights, you know how annoying that flickering can be. The flickering means that something is disrupting the flow of electricity. There could be a problem at the power company, the circuit breaker, the light switch, or the bulb - any number of issues. The end result, however, is that your light is flickering. And it's annoying (or worse)! Acupuncture works to repair the cause of your "flickering" (the pain, depression, insomnia, digestive issues, etc.), and therefore helps to relieve your symptoms. Rather than masking symptoms, Acupuncture works at the root.

You use Blood and Qi (pronounced "Chee") to carry nutrients and to power your body. (A note about Qi: This is the energy in your body, the current of neurons firing in your brain or the electrical impulses given off by your heart. Qi can be compared to what is measured in an EKG or EEG test.) If there is blockage or "stuck-ed-ness" in Blood (i.e. a bruise is stuck blood) or Qi, you will have symptoms such as pain.

From a Biochemical point of view, acupuncture can regulate the nervous system by stimulating the release of neuro-chemicals like endorphins and immune responders. It has also been shown to alter brain chemistry by mediating how some neuro-transmitters and neuro-hormones are released. This in turn affects parts of the central nervous system which stimulates each part of one’s body – hormones, organs, muscles, circulation, and more. With acupuncture, the body’s organs and systems are able to repair tissue and regulate body defenses better.

The goal of acupuncture is to get your Blood and Qi moving, allowing your body to heal itself so that you can live at your best health, symptom free. Back to List

 

What is Neural Therapy?
You hold – knowingly or unknowingly – the memory of accidents and traumas in your cells. These memories can interfere with how your body communicates with your nervous system leading to pain or any number of other symptoms. By treating those “Interference Fields” specifically, your body can once again communicate clearly, without irritation or interruption and decrease or rid you of symptoms.

Neural Therapy is truly unique to each and every person because experiences, surgeries, traumas and interference fields are unique to each of our life’s journey. It can restore dysregulation back to normality and addresses the causes of a wide variety of functional and organic disorders. Neural Therapy is a low-risk and at the same time highly effective, holistic method of treatment. A Neural Therapist treats each Interference Field (primarily by use of acupuncture needles) in order to restore your body's clear communication.

“Practically any illness may be caused by an Interference Field, and any part of the body may become an Interference Field that can cause practically any disorder,” (Peter Dosch, Facts about Neural Therapy according to Huneke (Regulating Therapy) Brief Summary for Patients, 1985). If you'd like to read more about Neural Therapy, this is a wonderful resource for Patients. I have a few copies in the office in my lending library.

Neural Therapy was discovered in 1940 by two German physicians, Drs. Huneke. Through their discovery of this method they taught how important an irritation (an “interference”) on the nervous system is in the genesis of diseases. Since that time, many physicians in Europe and South American have learned the system of Neural Therapy. It is now becoming more widely known here in The United States. Back to List

 

What is Biopuncture?
The term “Biopuncture” has been heard increasingly in the news. Biopuncture is a general term that describes the use of natural products designed specifically for injections into a specific area or point, many times acupuncture points. By using natural products combined with conventional diagnoses, it bridges the gap between mainstream medicine and natural medicine. Neural Therapy by definition is a type of Biopuncture. Neural Therapy uses the same natural products in specific spots, the location determined by each patient's Interference Fields. How a Neural Therapist chooses the location to inject specific to you is the difference between Biopuncture and Neural Therapy. Back to List

 

What is an Acupuncture Physician?
There are many names for a board-certified Doctor of Oriental Medicine. What name one is called depends on each state’s licensing laws. You may see “Doctor of Oriental Medicine” or “Acupuncture Physician” or “Licensed Acupuncturist.” These all indicate a board-certified practitioner. To attain a license as a Doctor of Oriental Medicine as well as to be a board-certified Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, one must pass all four national board exams: BioMedicine (covering Western Medicine), Foundations of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture Theory with Point Location and Chinese Herbology. A Diplomate in Acupuncture has the same school requirements but passes only the 1st three exams. In order to remain licensed, continuing education is required throughout one’s career. To find a board-certified Diplomate close to you, visit NCCAOM's website. Back to List

 

What training does an Acupuncture Physician have?
“Acupuncture” is performed by a board-certified practitioner with a minimum of 3 – 4 years of full-time study. Many Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine schools exceed 2,000 hours of study. The college where Dr. Amy Oros studied required over 3,400 hours of postgraduate study in Oriental Medicine, including Acupuncture, Chinese Herbology, Dietary Therapy, Cupping and Qi Gong meditative exercises. Her training included more than 1,000 hours of clinical training treating over 300 patients with a wide-range of complaints. The required classroom and clinical hours are slightly more for acupuncture and oriental medicine than are required for medical school students to become an MD!

In some states a Chiropractor, Doctor, Dentist or Physical Therapist who has taken a 200–hour course is able to place acupuncture needles in a patient. This is sometimes called “Medical Acupuncture” or "dry needling." These practitioners will not be board certified in Acupuncture or Oriental Medicine. In order to be eligible to take the Acupuncture board exams, one must complete a rigorous, accredited program. If in doubt about the certification or qualifications of a practitioner, ask if she is "NCCAOM certified." Back to List

 

 

Treatment FAQ’s

What can Acupuncture and Neural therapy Treat?
These medicines treat so many things by helping your body to get back in balance. A short, though not complete, list: migraines, anxiety/stress, arthritis, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, common cold, depression, diabetes, digestive disorders (Chron's Disease, IBS, ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, constipation, etc.), fibromyalgia, heart disease, high blood pressure, insomnia/sleep disorders, lupus, headaches, menopause symptoms, pain, PMS symptoms, infertility, sciatica, scars, ADD/ADHD, allergies, side effects from cancer treatments, sinus problems, stroke recovery, stones (i.e. gallstones and kidney stones), weight loss and so much more. Back to List

 

What other treatment modalities are offered?

While Acupuncture is the backbone of each treatment, there are other modalities offered at Acupuncture Health & Wellness. Neural Therapy and Frequency Specific Microcurrent are the most common pairings to Acupuncture, and during most visits you will receive 2 of the 3 modalities all in one treatment. Each modality signals differently to your body, and offering complimentary information aids your body in recovery. Additionally, Cupping can be used to address muscle strain and tension, or to aid the body in clearing up cell waste so that the information carried by the acupuncture needles have a much cleaner communication and higher efficacy. Back to List

 

How long do the treatments take?
Your first appointment will take approximately 2 hours and consists of conversation with your Acupuncture Physician to compile an extensive medical history. The questions asked in this intake may be completely different from what you’ve previously experienced. Questions about immunizations, scars (big and small), dental work, surgeries, as well as illnesses are all extremely important. Additionally, taking your pulse from a Oriental Medicine perspective (each of your body’s organs can be felt on the radial pulses on each wrists) and looking at your tongue (each of your organ’s health or imbalances are shown on your tongue and its coating) all give your Acupuncture Physician a great deal of information on how to treat you and your complaints. After this intake, acupuncture needles are placed and you rest quietly allowing the needles to do their work for 45 - 60 minutes. Follow-up appointments normally take approximately 75 minutes, and take into account changes and improvements from the previous visit. Back to List

 

What should I wear?
Wear something comfortable! You'll be "cooking" (lying on the treatment table with needles in) for 45 mintues to an hour. Being comfortable will help you relax into the treatment. Additionally, wear loose clothing - most acupuncture points I use are located below your elbows and knees. Wearing pants with loose legs that can be pulled up to your knees will give access to the points most beneficial to your treatment. Save the skinny jeans for your night on the town!

 

How many treatments will I need?
Since every person is unique in her own condition, the numbers of treatments will vary. The nature, severity and history of how long you’ve had a problem are all factors that are involved in how many treatments will be necessary. A general rule of thumb is 1 – 2 treatments to see changes in your chief complaint, 4 -5 treatments to see significant, longer-lasting changes. Additional treatments, though less frequent, may be necessary to strengthen your body’s response to crisis and to improve your natural healing power. Dr. Oros' goal is to find the appropriate affected areas or Interference Fields specific to you and your symptoms. The therapeutic action must increase in duration and effectiveness with each treatment, i.e. the disorder should recur less and less frequently and less severely with each treatment. The goal is to restore more and more disturbed functions to normalcy, returning you to health as far as is anatomically still possible. Her biggest joy comes from you not needing regular treatments any longer! Back to List

 

How safe are the needles and herbs?
Acupuncture and Neural Therapy needles are FDA approved. These needles, made from high quality surgical stainless steel, factory sterilized, individually wrapped and sealed, are intended for one-time use and are disposed of after they are used. The herbs that Dr. Oros prescribes are only those processed in the United States under the guidelines set forth by the FDA. Back to List

 

Is it Painful?
Acupuncture needles are so extremely thin that most patients don’t even feel them. (TWENTY-ONE acupuncture needles can fit in the TIP of a standard gauged needle used for drawing blood!!! If you are familiar with wire gauge, the size of acupuncture needles used is 40ga, for drawing blood is around 20ga). As they are inserted, you may feel nothing or you may feel a sensation similar to being bitten by an ant. Once the needles are in, there are many different sensations you may feel: heaviness, tingling, warmth, throbbing, itchiness - or simply nothing. Extremely sensitive patients may feel a slight sensation of pain; your Acupuncture Physician can adjust the needle to relieve that discomfort. The needles used for injections are also as small as possible (similar to thin insulin needles). With the injection you may feel a slight prick as the needle penetrates the skin. Back to List

 

What should I expect after my first treatment?
During the 24 hours after a Neural Therapy treatment it is possible you may have a sore throat, slight fever or other minor symptoms for 5 or 10 minutes as your body processes through the Interference Field being cleared. Drinking warm water will speed this progression and keep the symptoms brief and minor. Once any reactions subside (normally in 5 – 10 minutes) the patient will normally feel a noticeable improvement in the symptoms or may become completely symptom free. A patient may report that the pain or symptom has shifted elsewhere. This however, is an illusion; the “new” pain was there before, but the more severe pain or symptom hid the weaker signal which could make itself felt once the stronger pain had been eliminated. In these cases, your Neural Therapist will inject the site of the “new” pain to erase each interference field. In this way your doctor will “follow” you.

The acupuncture serves to balance the treatment, regulating the body and mind so that the effects of the session last longer. Some patients may feel a burst of energy after acupuncture; others may feel less stress and great relaxation rarely felt without treatment. The two modalities combined give your body the best opportunity for healing and long-term wellness. Back to List

 

Should I do anything special before or after my treatment?
The best way to prepare for a treatment is to ensure that you have eaten within a few hours of treatment. For the 24 hours after a treatment, drink as much warm to hot water as you can (8 cups is a good rule of thumb). Hot tea is also okay. By drinking warm water, the treatment is enhanced and cell waste can be released and removed by your body. Make notes of any changes in your symptoms during that 24 hours. Through the process of Neural Therapy, you may remember old injuries or traumas and in this way you and your Neural Therapist will “follow” you to clear each Interference Field. Back to List

 

What are the side effects of Acupuncture and Neural Therapy?
Acupuncture and Neural Therapy are tremendously safe with little to no side effects when applied by a skilled physician. Occasionally, a bruise can result from treatment. It has no contraindications with other treatments or medications you may be taking. Back to List

 

Will Acupuncture or Neural Therapy treatments interfere with my medications?
Acupuncture and Neural Therapy will not interfere with Western Medications. However, it is important to inform your Acupuncture Physician of any Western drugs that you are taking because there are many side effects of these medications that can hinder or slow the progress of your acupuncture or Neural Therapy treatments. Prescribed herbal formulas need to be tailored so that there are no contraindications with the western medications. An Acupuncture Physician will never advise you to change or alter how you take your western medications. Any questions about changes to your dosages or medications must be discussed with your prescribing physician. Back to List

 

Does Insurance Cover Acupuncture?
Some insurance plans do cover acupuncture, and more and more plans are adding this number one requested coverage. The demand from you, the customer, is growing. Ask for it to be included at your work's plan. Ask your insurance company to cover "board-certified Acupuncture Physicians." Regular treatments can keep you healthier and happier – great news for you! Regular treatments can keep the sick days to a minimum, and to help you to be more productive – great news for your company! It serves them well to have it included; without employees asking for it, acupuncture by board-certified Acupuncture Physicians will not be covered.

I have you pay at the time of service and will provide you with a Superbill. This has all of the insurance codes and information that you need to submit to your insurance company. They will pay you back directly based on their coverage. Back to List

E-mail AH&W
Falcon, Colorado 80831
 
Phone: 719-334-3347