Really?!?

This question is similar to ‘do I need to believe in acupuncture for it to work?’ Nope. It is highly effective for treating animals. To my knowledge, they don’t have belief systems.

It works best if you can remain neutral.

Thanks for asking! I obtained my original Masters degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine in 2002 at the prestigious Emperor’s College. Immediately upon graduating, I completed an additional clinical experience in Beijing, China. After working for several years, I decided to attend nursing school. I went back to obtain my doctorate in acupuncture with a focus on integrative care, and my BSN in holistic nursing. I have been working in a military hospital clinic for the past 8 years.

Absolutely not! Acupuncture needles are single use, sterile, and disposable.

They are also not ‘dipped in medicine.’

Great question! My favorite treatment is the Aroma Acupoint Therapy. In my experience, the placements of the essential oils on acupuncture points is very powerful, therapeutic, and effective.

Also, most patients who were afraid leave their treatments completely relaxed. Acupuncture needles are not anything like needles used for injections. And my 25 years of technique helps reduce any needling sensation.

p.s. I better not see you come in with this question but covered in tattoos, haha!

Sort of. This is a complicated issue. The agency in charge of Medicare decided around 2020 to cover acupuncture for low back pain. But acupuncturists as a provider class were not included in the original Medicaid act passed by the US Congress. So, it is covered if performed by an MD or a PA/NP who also has a Masters in Acupuncture. The majority of licensed acupuncturists cannot bill Medicare directly. We are working on it, but it takes an act of Congress to change the rules.

No. Many of the concepts of acupuncture are rooted in Taoism, which is a kind of description of the universe. But there is no deity involved. Taoist ideas can be used to become closer to whichever god you worship.

Also…no, it is not ‘devil worship,’ demonic, or anything else related to demons. If your pastor told you this…they are highly misinformed at best…

I do not because my practice does not focus on pain management. Most insurance companies only reimburse for pain, not prevention. My practice largely focuses on preventive measures.

It depends why you are seeking care. The longer you have had an issue, the more care is required. So, if something just came up in the past few weeks, you likely will only need fewer than 5 treatments to resolve the issue. If you have had an underlying issue for years…it will take longer. Multiple layered treatment approaches (like herbs & acupuncture together) will shorten treatment time. I can provide some insight during a consultation. You should schedule one!

Absolutely! But I don’t do that. I believe children are special and unique. I have no training or experience interacting with them, so I prefer to be cautious. I respect them too much to treat them like little adults.

Training. That’s it.

Dry needling is a very specific type of pain management acupuncture technique involving inserting a needle into a trigger point, getting the muscle to twitch and relax.

If your chiropractor/physical therapist/certified athletic trainer is leaving the needles inserted and connecting a TENS unit or electrical stimulation to them…this is the definition of acupuncture.

Dry needling performed by non-acupuncturists is a way of avoiding rigorous training requirements of acupuncture practice.