- How soon will I feel better?
- Physical pain: Generally, people feel better after 1-2 treatments. If it has been a very chronic case, then perhaps there is no noticeable improvement. However, it is beginning to break up, but you may not notice a change yet. Just as you do not notice the changes that are happening before you feel the actual pain, you may not notice it beginning to break up. The pain signals are still there since not enough has broken through yet.
But even in those cases, other changes such as better sleep, a better and more hopeful mood is obtained right away. In more simple cases, 3-4 will go a long way in resolving a lot or even most of the pain. See Case History: a simple case. On the average, 5-6 will be the most helpful. In more complex cases with different life circumstances, it may take more. See Case History: a more complex case. - Will I lose the benefits once I stop?
- For physical pain: Once the pain begins to lessen after 2-3 treatments (it can even stop, depending on age and health), it will come back if the process is not finished. If it is an acute injury that just happened very recently, then 1-3 treatments could resolve all of the pain and it will most likely hold.
But if it is a long standing, chronic situation, yes, you will lose some, but not all of the benefits. That is due to the body being lifted of its burden, like rocks being lifted that is blocking the flow of the river, but the newly created flow is not strong enough to wash away the remaining “rocks.” Then the rocks, or blockages of the body, begin to build up again and the pain comes back.
But each time the “rocks” are cleared, the body’s flow becomes stronger and stronger until it will be able to do it on its own. Each treatment is cumulative. For an example of a case history: I can't handle the disappointment.
For emotional pain: Every treatment you receive will benefit you in some way. The insights and whatever healing that is activated are yours forever. If you only have time or the finances for a few, it will still greatly benefit you, since changes and energetic shifts will be made. However, 1 or 2 will begin the process, sometimes dramatically or sometimes on a more subtle note, and more layers will need to be addressed to get more resolvement of what you came in for. But generally, 5 or 6 treatments will certainly make your life easier, and perhaps take care of the most pressing problem. At times, the most pressing problem cannot be reached until some other issues are addressed first. Again, every one is unique, and every treatment is extremely tailored to the specific individual. Even within the treatment protocol for the same person, the treatments are seldom repeated, since every time you come in you are a bit different and that needs to be taken into account. - Why am I being asked to come back after the physical pain is gone?
- We do suggest two more treatments after the pain is gone to stablize the results. Remember, changes that you did not feel already happened before the onset of pain. In the same reasoning, when the pain goes away, some more residual changes have to happen and the body still needs to be supported in order to do so. Before those residual changes occur, the pain will be gone since the emergency signal of pain is no longer needed since the bulk of the healing is done.
- If there is intelligence in the body, why can't it fix pain on its own?
- In order to fix anything, the body has to have enough energy to do 3 things:
1: to notice there is a problem
2: to assess the situation and figure out what to do
3: to fix the problem with no interruptions to allow a steady repair for a cure
When a person is preoccupied by various factors, the energy is being drained and unavailable. The body then needs to be reawakened and redirected to do its job. The various factors can range widely, from the improper handling of work- induced stress, unresolved past emotional issues or trauma that is unconsciously working beneath the surface of day to day life, pain that the body is trying to fix but cannot, or simply trying to do too much and being unable to prioritise based on outdated belief systems. - I hear acupuncture is good for preventative measures to maintain good health. Can you explain why?
- Yes, acupuncture is excellent for this purpose. Since it is such a subtle, energetic medicine, small signs and symptoms that would not be detected by tests or would not even really be bothersome would be part of the signs and symptoms of Traditional Chinese Medicine that would point out an impending dysfunction or at least a very strong tendency for weakness in certain parts and organs of the body. These could be addressed early on energetically so that they will not manifest physically. By the time it shows up in a Western diagnostic test or scan, it has already progressed to a more pronounced physical state. It is much more difficult at that time, however it is certainly possible. It would just require more time and patience and the physical body will make the changes, once the energetic pattern for it has been changed or reversed.
No, you do not have to come forever, but we have many people who do like to come once a month or every 2 months for a preventative “tune up.” It helps to dissipate the stresses that are really at the root of many early beginnings of disease. It is impossible to avoid all stress since challenges are really just a part of life. But people who have been coming to us regularly often tell us that they are so much better at dealing with situations that would have been impossible to deal with before. They feel much more centered and previous “emergencies” are no longer common scenarios. Their perspective has widened and therefore the body does not have to go into that fight or flight response that can be life draining and immune suppressing. That leaves a lot more time to actually enjoy your life. That is perhaps the best preventative measure for good health. - How can acupuncture help me in my path of self growth and understanding?
- We have many people who like to come once a month for more insights into their life, since at that point they are not coming for physical or even emotional issues, but to understand themselves better and to discover their purpose in life. Since acupuncture can be utilized on this deeper level and we believe wholeheartedly that this is one of the best, yet under utilized benefits of acupuncture. In accessing the innate intelligence of the body, acupuncture can bring out deeper answers from the person that is sincerely seeking.
FAQ