Acupuncture

---

• What is acupuncture?   Acupuncture is a form of Chinese Medicine that has been used successfully for over 3,000 years. It involves the insertion of extremely thin needles at strategic acupuncture points along the body to manipulate energy flow and promote the body’s own natural healing cascade. Other treatment modalities in Chinese Medicine include nutrition, herbal therapy, cupping, tuina and guasha.  

• How does acupuncture work?   Acupuncture is based on the theory that we all have a vital essence called Qi, pronounced “chee”. This Qi flows through the body along a system of meridians that connect to all of our major organs to nourish the body. When Qi flow is impaired, pain or disease develops. Acupuncture encourages natural healing by applying very fine needles to specific acupoints located along these meridians in order to access the Qi and rebalance or unblock the flow thus restoring health. Modern research has proven the efficacy of acupuncture, but more research is needed to further explain exactly how acupuncture works from a scientific standpoint. In a nutshell, acupuncture stimulates your body’s own healing abilities. Certain acupoints are used to trigger and direct your body’s healing response to the areas that need it most. Whether this means releasing endorphins to relieve pain, or regulating the endocrine systems to rebalance hormones, your body will figure out what is needed for healing that area and will respond to the request to accelerate healing. For more information, check out the video below.

• Does acupuncture hurt?   No. On the contrary, most people find acupuncture to be very relaxing. It’s very common to slip into a meditative or sleep state during a treatment. You may feel a brief pinch when the needles are inserted, but it passes quickly and is mild. Once the needles are inserted it is common to feel a mild ache, heaviness, warmth or even a burst of energy that can be felt along the meridians. These are all considered positive sensations that signal the arrival of Qi. The reason acupuncture needles don't hurt is because they are extremely thin compared to a hypodermic needle, which is used for injections or drawing blood. You can fit actually fit about 40 acupuncture needles into the tip of one hypodermic needle. Our best advice is to just try it out and see for yourself how relaxing acupuncture can be. 

• What does Acupuncture treat?   Acupuncture is very effective for pain relief, but it also used to treat a wide variety of other medical conditions. Based on research, the World Health Organization (WHO) has listed several conditions known to be treatable by acupuncture and Oriental medicine including:      

  Sinusitis · allergies  · bronchitis · asthma  · migraine headaches · cataracts · retinitis pigmentosa · anxiety · depression · stress · insomnia · addictions  · weight control  · frozen shoulder  · tennis elbow  · low back pain  · neck pain · tendonitis · sprains · herniated discs · arthritis · bursitis · knee pain · chronic fatigue · fibromyalgia · toothache · gastritis · acid reflux · constipation · IBS  · PMS  · PCOS · Endometriosis · Infertility · Menopause · irregular cycles · pelvic pain · incontinence · impotence · vertigo · bell’s palsy · sciatica, neuropathy · TMJ · trigeminal neuralgia  · and more  

• How many treatments will I need?   It is not unusual to notice changes immediately after the first treatment, however, the average patient will begin to notice changes within the first few. A typical course of treatment is a series of 10 sessions coming in 1-2x’s a week. Most patients note significant improvement by the end of the 10 sessions and are often ready to switch to a maintenance care routine. With acupuncture, the effectiveness of each treatment typically builds upon the previous one. The number of treatments required depends on the nature, severity and length of the health concern as well as the individual response. Acute conditions tend to resolve more quickly with a short intensive series of treatments whereas chronic conditions may require a longer and more consistent series of treatments. Once significant changes have been made, maintenance treatments may or may not be required depending on the patient.  

• Is acupuncture safe?   Yes, acupuncture is very safe. Acupuncturists are trained in exact location, angle and depth of insertion to avoid any injuries. The needles used are extremely thin, sterile and disposable needles. Acupuncturists must be CNT (Clean Needle Technique) certified as required by the NCCAOM.     

• What can I expect during a treatment?   During your first appointment, the practitioner will collect a complete history and detailed evaluation of your condition. They will ask questions relating to many different aspects of your life, not only the condition for which you are seeking treatment. The practitioner will then take your pulse, examine your tongue, and sometimes palpate your abdomen or check for tenderness along the meridians. Once the needles are inserted the patient is to relax for approximately 30 minutes. Most find the treatments to be very relaxing. The practitioner may also prescribe an herbal formula, make nutritional recommendations or administer other forms of therapy such as cupping or guasha.    

• How can I prepare for my session?   You do not have to do anything special to prepare for your treatment. If possible, it is best to wear loose clothing so the practitioner can roll up your sleeves or pant legs as needed. It’s good to have eaten something that day. Patients who are fasting may feel a little lightheaded after acupuncture. Do not drink alcohol or do any recreational drugs before your appointment. Please refrain from wearing perfumes and scented lotions or smoking cigarettes before your appointment to respect our environmentally sensitive patients.  

• Will my insurance cover Acupuncture?   There are a growing number of insurance companies which cover acupuncture. Both of our providers are in network with all the major insurance companies, but coverage depends on your particular plan. To verify your coverage fill out the form on our homepage and we will verify your benefits and email you back within 48 hours. 

• Do you participate in the Veteran's Choice Program?  Yes, we are proud to be Non-VA Community Care providers. Simply speak with your VA physician and ask for a referral for acupuncture and give them the name of the provider you wish to see, either Dr. Will or Dr. Linton. If authorized, the VA will fax us an authorization form to begin care and they will call on your behalf to schedule your initial appointment. After that you can schedule your follow up appointments at your convenience. Veterans do not have to pay any copay or coinsurance. As long as you have authorization your visit will be covered in full by the VA.  You may want to supply them with our NPI for ease of authorization. Dr. Devon Linton NPI 1073748430 or Dr. Ashley Will 1114206836

• What are the requirements to become an Acupuncturist?   Acupuncturists must graduate from a school that is accredited by either the United States government or by the National Accreditation Commission for Schools and Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NACSCAOM). An acupuncturist’s education is typically 5 didactic years or 3000 hours of training. Training must including at least 450 hours of training in Western sciences (anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, pathology, western clinical sciences, hygiene and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) and a minimum of 750 hours of acupuncture study (fundamental principles, diagnosis, pathology, therapeutics, meridians and points, and acupuncture technique including electro-acupuncture). Clinical training must include a minimum of 150 hours of clinical observation and 720 hours of supervised practice. Acupuncturists must have applied over 400 treatments on at least 100 patients over the course of more than one year of their schooling. Board exams are administered by the NCCAOM in order to obtain licensure.  

• What's the difference between acupuncture & dry needling?  In recent years there has been an increased practice of what has been termed “dry needling” by physiotherapists, osteopaths, doctors and members of other similar professions dealing with musculo-skeletal conditions. Dry needling is in fact part of acupuncture practice. Practitioners use the term Dry Needling because you can’t call yourself an Acupuncturist unless you have studied a minimum of 4 years in Chinese Medicine, including hundreds of hours of safe needle handling and aspect technique. Unfortunately those practicing dry needling don't require anywhere near the amount of training as acupuncturist. For example, in Virginia a physical therapist only needs 54 hours of training to practice dry needling. Dr. Linton and Dr. Will each have over 3000 hours of required training. There is such a difference in qualification in fact, that the American Medical Association has issued a statement warning against dry needling by non-acupuncture trained professionals. Dry Needling is predominantly comprised of an acupuncture technique referred to as "ashi" points, which is basically inserting needles into the site of pain. While this may be effective in temporarily relieving pain it is only a piece of the puzzle and is in no way addressing the root cause of the condition. With dry needling there is no training or understanding of an entire complex philosophy of medicine that has been used successfully for over 3000 years. Dry needling is basically a very watered down version of acupuncture by poorly trained practitioners. It is therefore highly recommended to avoid dry needling and seek out a licensed acupuncturist instead for best results and maximum safety.