Acupuncture FAQ

Acupuncture is the placement of hair-thin needles into various locations in the body. These locations are known as acupuncture points.

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The ancient Chinese believed that the body was first and foremost a system of energy, what they called Chi, or Qi. They mapped out grids along the body, what they considered pathways of energy, which they called meridians. It was through these meridians that they felt the Qi flowed. The acupuncture points are along these meridians. It was thought that by putting acupuncture needles into these points, the Qi would be stimulated to flow better, and the person’s health would improve. Thousands of years of clinical work have shown that the Chinese were right!

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Since acupuncture has made its way into the West, there has been no shortage of research to prove what the mechanism is that allows acupuncture to work. Some of the mechanisms that have been discovered are:

• Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins and other opiods
• Acupuncture stimulates the secretion of hormones and other brain chemicals such as serotonin
• White blood cells migrate to the areas where the acupuncture needles are inserted
• Acupuncture changes the pattern of blood flow through the body
• Brain scans on people having acupuncture have shown certain segments of the brain “light up,” signaling that the brain has been energized to make a positive response

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Because the needles are hair-thin, generally you will not feel a thing, or have a sensation similar to a mosquito biting.

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Acupuncture, and Chinese Medicine in general, is understood to be a process. It is trying to stimulate the body’s own natural healing capabilities. Some people respond quickly, and others take more time. Common sense would dictate that the longer a person has had a condition, the longer it might take for it to reverse, though every so often, a person with a seemingly intractable problem responds very quickly. You should plan on a course of six to ten treatments to either effect a cure, relieve symptoms totally, or partially, or to see no response. After this initial course of treatments, a blueprint can be determined as to how to proceed from there.

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There are no magic bullets. Western Medicine always has a latest and greatest treatment or wonder drug, but often they are laden with side effects. Western Medicine often has the best of intentions, and the worst of results. A good analogy to relate it to is to think of your body as a garden. If the soil is weak, the seeds sown won’t grow well. If the garden is fertilized and watered, the seeds can grow strong and bloom into healthy plants. And seeds don’t become healthy plants overnight. If we develop our soil – through proper diet, exercise, stress management, and with the help of acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine – the seeds of good health can come to fruition.

The formula for improving health isn’t complicated. We make it so, with our reliance on Western Medicine to fix things through drugs and surgical techniques. There is a place for those, but often times, unless we have a life-threatening problem, they should be the secondary choice, and the primary choice should be either Chinese Medicine by itself, or an Integrated Medicine.

In Chinese Medicine, it is said there are three classes of Doctors: The lowest class use drugs and surgery to treat people; the middle class of Doctors use Chinese Medicine to treat people’s symptoms; and the highest class of Doctor not only use Chinese Medicine to treat symptoms, but educate people so that they can take care of their own health, and can develop better health, which would allow them to realize more of their innate human potential. This is the type of Doctor I aspire to be.

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Acupuncture, when practiced by a licensed professional, is generally safe and free of any side effects.

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There is a big difference. A licensed acupuncturist has at least 3,500 hours of training in acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, and completely understands the levels of sophistication of Chinese Medicine, and is well equipped to treat any problem using Chinese Medicine. A physician that does acupuncture is not a licensed acupuncture, but is certified to practice acupuncture. They undergo 300 hours of training, some of which is done by watching videos. They are generally trained in the very basics of acupuncture, if that. The bottom line with this is that a licensed acupuncturist is far more skilled at the nuances of Chinese Medicine, and will have a far better chance of effecting a positive response than would a physician certified in acupuncture.

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Some do – it varies from company to company. Check with your carrier to see. If you have been in a car accident, and are experiencing problems from that, your no-fault automobile policy covers acupuncture, with no referral needed.

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Chinese Herbal Medicine, like acupuncture, has a long and storied history, with many great doctors over time adding to the rich sophistication of it. In the most classical application, a Chinese Herbal Formula is tailor-made for the person, and this formula is taken home and cooked into a tea, which the person drinks on a regular basis.

This is the way I like to do Chinese Herbal Medicine. I maintain a Chinese Herbal Pharmacy of over 200 herbs. This allows me greater flexibility to treat conditions that may need additional assistance besides the acupuncture.

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I work in Saratoga Springs and Clifton Park.

My Saratoga Springs address is 62 Beekman St. My phone number is (518) 210-1557.
My Clifton Park address is 6 Chelsea Place. My phone number is (518) 210-1557.

Call either of these numbers to set up an appointment. My initial visit fee is $85. My subsequent office fee is $65.

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