Acupuncture and Neural
Therapy FAQs
Treatment FAQs
Acupuncture and Neural
Therapy FAQs
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 bodys 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 ones body hormones, organs,
muscles, circulation, and more. With acupuncture, the bodys
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
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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 lifes 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
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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 states 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 ones 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 200hour 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
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Treatment FAQs
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
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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 youve 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 bodys
organs can be felt on the radial pulses on each wrists) and looking
at your tongue (each of your organs 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
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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
youve 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 bodys
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 dont
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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