Below you will find some of the most frequently asked questions that we have encountered when discussing Chinese Medicine with newcomers. You are always welcome to submit your question directly to us. Acupuncture is an ancient medical technique dating back approxmately 3,000 years. It involves the insertion of very fine needles into particular points of the body. These points, called "Acupoints", are known to affect the body in various ways by stimulating natural healing processes and redirecting the flow of electromagnetic energy in the body. They have been time-tested and precisely recorded in written and oral form by countless Chinese sages and doctors over the 2,000 years. Modern research is just now beginning to verify and confirm the effects of Acupuncture, but the exact mechanism by which it works is still largely a mystery. Various modern theories indicate that Acupuncture may work by stimulating the brain to release various substances that relieve pain and balance the immune system. Herbal medicine is the science of using of natural plant, mineral, and animal substances to treat disease, promote health, and prevent illness. Medicines made from herbs are administered as pills, teas, powders, or soups, and they are used both internally (taken by mouth) and externally (applied to the skin). Chinese sages recorded countless volumes of material over the last two millenia detailng the medicinal properties of over 6,000 plant, mineral, and animal substances. Herbs can be prescribed singly for a very focused and particular effect (just as one might drink a cup of coffee to increase alertness), or in formulas where they can be combined to balance many various apsects of a patient's condition. A skilled practitioner will assess each patient individually and prescribe a custom formula suited to that particular patient's imbalance and constitution. Herbal prescriptions may also be adjusted for variance in season, regional climate, and stage of imbalance. The literal translation of Medical Qigong is "Medical Energy Work". It is an ancient Chinese healing art that predates and serves as the foundation of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. Medical Qigong involves treatments by a Medical Qigong Therapist, along with special exercises practiced at home to train the mind, breath, and body to sense, store, and use vital energy more completely and efficiently. An ancient Chinese saying states that "Where Qi flows freely, disease cannot take root". By using Medical Qigong treatments and exercises, we train ourselves in the art of cultivating health by maintaining this free flow of energy in our body, mind, and spirit.

Medical Qigong treatments are relaxing, and the exercises are simple and non-strenuous, and can be done anywhere, anytime with minimal space and time constraints. Despite their simplicity, the effect of the treatments and exercises is profound and affects every level of the human system. A Medical Qigong therapist assists each patient in increasing his/her awareness and balance of Qi. The therapist accomplishes this by working directly with the patient in the treatment setting and prescribing exercises for the patient to perform at home.

In the hands of a skilled practitioner, an Acupuncture needle should never cause pain for the patient. The insertion of needles can produce various sensations in the body ranging from a mild tingling type sensation, to a change in temperature of the body or surrounding area, to a sense of well-being, or even a sense of energy flowing from one part of the body to another. The sensations felt during an Acupuncture treatment indicate that the body is responding to the needles in some way. Blood flow may increase to certain parts of the body, the release of certain hormones and other substances may be stimulated, and the flow of signals along the nerves may increase. There also may be no perceptible sensation at all -- however, this does not indicate that the treatment is not having an effect. Indeed, many processes go on in the body at all times that we are unable to feel -- yet these processes are vital to our lives. Herbs do work in a manner similar to drugs, but for the most part they are milder in effect, less harsh on the body, and take longer to work. There are herbs that are very strong and work very fast, but these herbs are only used in moderation and for very short courses to control severe symptoms. Once the symptoms subside, their use is discontinued and the gentler, more nourishing herbs are used to balance and detoxify the system. These more gentle herbs are the mainstay of Chinese herbal medicine. They gently and effectively balance and assist the body's functions without causing harsh and unpleasant side effects. Because they are more gentle than drugs, they often take longer to work. But, this gentleness is of great advantage for promoting balance and health, and is well-suited to long-term therapy for chronic conditions. First and foremost, you can expect to have 100% of my attention devoted to you and your healing process. During the time that you are in my clinic, I will make sure that you and I take our time to understand and apply the best approach for your particular situation. Chinese Medicine is based on the principle that while many diseases are similar, each patient must be treated individually in order for true healing to take place. Rest assured that I will apply this principle to your treatment regimen, always prescribing the Acupuncture, Herbal Medicines, and other treatment regimens that are best suited to your individual needs. Qi is the concept of Universal Energy that is the underlying foundation of all Chinese Medical theory. It is difficult to define in words, other than to say that it is, in essence, the unifying factor of all existence. The concept of Qi encompasses the idea that all things in the Universe are composed of energy at various levels of vibration. Modern Quantum Physics has proven that matter and energy (light) are completely interchangeable, meaning that the table you are sitting at right now is both solid (from one perspective) and pure light (from another perspective). The concept of Qi also describes how everything in the Universe is constantly changing and transforming, just as the water in the ocean today becomes clouds over the mountains tomorrow and snow the day after that. Without Qi, or Universal Energy, nothing would exist and all processes we know as "life" would cease.