How does acupuncture work? 

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views diseases as the result of an imbalance or blockage in the body’s natural energy flow.  Such imbalance manifests as physical, emotional and psychosomatic stress-related disorders.

Acupuncture works by placing very thin needles into specific points of the body in order to disperse the blockage and rebalance diseased systems by promoting the body’s natural healing ability. Aside from stimulation with needles, traditional Chinese acupuncture also employs other methods, such as acupressure, moxibustion, cupping, etc. to achieve similar goals.

Do the needles hurt? 

Acupuncture is not meant to be painful since the needles are extremely fine and the insertions are delicate and gentle. It is normal to have certain sensations such as distention, heaviness, soreness, tingling or electric sensation when the needle is stimulated. In any case, if you experience any discomfort, it is usually mild and transient. Most people find the experience relaxing.

If you prefer to not receive acupuncture, you may select alternative therapies such as acupressure, moxibustion, cupping, and natural herbs.  

What is Chinese herbal medicine?  

Chinese herbs consist of natural ingredients such as roots, leaves, flowers, seeds, stems, fruits and minerals. They tend to have fewer side effects than synthetic drugs. Chinese herbal medicine can effectively treat the full range of human disease. The prescription of Chinese herbal medicine is based on highly individualized diagnosis, which takes many factors, such as your specific symptoms, root causes, emotional temperament, and the overall constitution of your body, into consideration. 

What is dietary therapy in TCM?