Atha Wellness Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine specializing in Dermatology in Kirkland, Wa.  Se habla espanol.

Frequently asked questions about acupuncture

Here's what you really want to know:

Do you feel it?  Yes, sometimes.

Does it hurt?  No.  It might feel a little strange, but it's not an "ouch feeling."

If you're "afraid of needles" should you still try it?  Totally.  More often than not the "worried patient" is the first to fall asleep once the needles are in and then be completely surprised by how relaxing the whole thing was.

Is it weird to stick needles in your body for health and serenity?  Again - totally!  However, the fact is that acupuncture has been used globally - not just in China - to treat many different conditions for at least 4000 years.  Just look up Otzi the Iceman if you don't believe me!

Do you need to be sick to benefit from acupuncture? While acupuncture can be incredibly effective at treating symptoms, the ideal acupuncture patient actually has no “symptoms” and wants to stay that way.

How many treatments will I need?  Much like going to the gym, the benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, so more then one treatment is often necessary. For acute conditions you can expect to have 10 to 15 treatments, but you will usually begin to feel relief after just the first few. Chronic conditions may take longer to respond, depending on the type, severity, and duration of the condition. And just like going to an MD for a yearly physical, I highly encourage preventative treatments and treatments for general well-being as well.  These are great tune-ups, and help keep the body in balance.  These may be scheduled on an as-needed basis.

How will acupuncture benefit me?   Not only can acupuncture help with the underlying cause (the root) of the symptoms (the branch) that you came in for, you'll more than likely find these acupuncture deeply satisfying and leave the treatment feeling relaxed both mentally and physically.

Will I have to take herbs? Herbal medicine is often recommended, but not always.  You will always go home with some type of homework, whether it be herbal, dietary, or otherwise.

The thing is:  Energy, or "Qi", and Blood are constantly moving through your body. When they're circulating properly, you don't feel it. But if something causes the Qi or Blood to become blocked, or become deficient, then there is pain and discomfort. The Chinese have a saying for this: "With free flow there is no pain. If there is pain, there is no free flow." Acupuncture can help release the blockage and get rid of pain, thus bringing the body back into pain free harmony. NSAID free.