FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Oriental Medicine
Q. I’m been more familiar with Western medicine until now. What is Oriental medicine’s strategy for healing? How is it different?
A. “The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” -Thomas Edison
Oriental medicine aims to achieve balance and harmony within the body, by treating the root of the problem instead of only targeting symptoms.
The effects of herbal medicine are natural and don’t decline in effectiveness, as antibiotics do after resistance. By inserting filiform needles into meridian points, acupuncture regulates energy flow to heal the body, without the tissue scarring, infection, and expensive extremes of surgery. Oriental medicine coordinates your lifestyle for preventive therapy, aiming for long-term stability in a way that your body can naturally follow.
A. Any medical technique involves some risks. Properly performed acupuncture presents minimal hazard comparing to some other invasive treatment. Because the needles are so small and thin, a patient may not feel the needling sensation. Occasionally a patient may have small bruises or hematomas in the needling areas and they will go away automatically in a few days.
Selecting well trained, skillful and experienced acupuncturists can greatly reduce the risks to minimum.
Q . What should I do after an acupuncture treatment?
A. It is found very helpful to take an easy for the continuous mind/body relaxation after an acupuncture treatment. Drinking a cup of tea, read a book or take a nap are beneficial. Large meals, vigorous exercises, alcohol or excessive emotions should be avoided.
Q. How often shall I come back?
A. It varies. The frequency and duration of treatment depends on the history, severity of the disease and as well as your body constitution and how you response to the needling stimulation. Normally an acute problem may request a more frequent treatment while a chronic illness a less frequent treatment. Your practitioner will explain to you the frequency and duration of the treatment and as well as some other options.
Q. Shall I also take Chinese Herbal Medicine?
A. Chinese herbal medicine has a history for over 5,000 years, even much older than the history of acupuncture. Since it’s taken orally digested and absorbed in the gastro-intestinal organs and therefore it’s more for the treatment of internal organ problems. It’ said that acupressure is for soft tissue problems, acupuncture for channel and collateral imbalance and Chinese herbal medicine for internal organ dysfunction. Combination of these techniques and therapies are for diseases and illnesses in different areas of human body.
Q. How to take Herbal medicines?
A. The most traditional method of taking herbal medicine is to drink herbal tea prepared by boiling the selected herbs. Patent herbal medicine, including herbal pills and tablets, tinctures, syrups, and powdered extracts are some other options to increase the convenience. Your practitioner may also prescribe some tonic herbs for you to cook with foods for a weak body condition.
Q. Does herbal medicine have side effects?
A. Most of Chinese herbs are very safe with minimum side effects. When they are prescribed by following the herbal formulating rules and principles, the toxicity of some Chinese herbs are reduced to minimum. Your practitioner will carefully apply the herbs for you by also considering the herb/drug, herb/vitamin and herb/herb interactions.
If you have questions that were not addressed and answered here, please discuss with your practitioner when you make an appointment or during the treatment. Your health is our biggest concern.