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Acupuncture Questions and Answers
by Virginia Mitchell
- Can children receive Acupuncture?
- What is my practitioner doing when she touches three places on my torso?
- How do I decide if I need acupuncture treatment or psychotherapy, and can they be used together effectively?
- How do you decide when you need an acupuncture treatment?
- I 've seen pictures of people with needles in their ears. What are they doing?
- What is moxa? Why does my acupuncturist use it?
- How long will I need to come for acupuncture treatment?
- Why do you keep changing needles?
 Can children receive Acupuncture?
Yes. Generally speaking children do well with acupuncture because their energy is very responsive. As a result their course of treatment may be shorter and fewer needles
required. On the other hand, the younger the child the more training the practitioner needs. If your practitioner isn't ready for a child as young as yours ask for a referral.
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What is my practitioner doing when she touches three places on my torso?
Your practitioner is feeling the skin temperature in these areas. These areas are referred to as the upper, middle, and lower jiao (pronounced chow), and the process is called checking the jiao. Each jiao is
associated with particular meridians. The temperature gives an indication of the relative flow of energy in the region. This piece of diagnostic information, added to many others, helps your practitioner choose the
points appropriate for your treatment.
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How do I decide if I need acupuncture treatment or psychotherapy, and can they be used together effectively?
Some people report that they feel better just talking with their acupuncturist, and they question whether the needles "really do anything
." bob Duggan tells acupuncture students that the treatment is crafted through listening, through spoken words, through touch whatever is needed in the moment by the person who is client. The needles are then
used to anchor that treatment in the body.
Generally, an acupuncture treatment begins with a conversation regarding observed changes in the client's body, mind, and spirit. Such a conversation reminds some clients of their psychotherapy sessions.
Although the content may be similar, the purpose of the practitioner is different from that of a psychotherapist. An acupuncturist is assessing the client's energy, in part, by asking questions. When listening to
responses, the practitioner is paying attention to what is being said, what is not being said, and to the overall energy field in which the speaking takes place.
As a client begins to feel better and her energy moves more easily, her awareness changes and issues other than the original complaint tend to
surface. Often a client discovers resources within herself to deal with her problems: other times, she recognizes the need for help from a mental
health practitioner; and sometimes it is the acupuncturist's job to refer the client to a psychotherapist.
Clients who seek psychotherapy sometimes question whether acupuncture might facilitate their work. Several people, who have done both, report that acupuncture has proven very beneficial to their
psychotherapy sessions. I believe it is fair to say that acupuncture has the potential to accelerate the psychotherapeutic process; one satisfied
client described the effect of acupuncture on his therapy sessions this way: "acupuncture acted like boosters on rocket!"
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How do you decide when you need an acupuncture treatment?
The patient who asked me this question had just completed the initial stage of his treatment. He had come once a week for 8 wrecks and his experience told him acupuncture was working for him. "Now seems to
be a good time to space out your treatments," I told him. "I suggest scheduling your next two appointments 2 weeks apart and a third appointment 3 weeks after the second. By that point, you will probably
be able to answer your own question."
I went on to remind him of our discussions regarding the ongoing role that exercise, meditation, pleasure, and food play in keeping his energy flowing smoothly and the specific use of these resources when he
observes his energy becoming stuck.
We also discussed using acupuncture in a preventive manner. The effectiveness of Five Element Acupuncture lies in our ability and willingness to live in harmony with the seasons. Often we find we are
more vulnerable physically, mentally, and/or spiritually during the transition from one season to another. Seasonal treatments (e.g., as winter gives way to spring) help to keep our energy moving and serve as
a reminder to us to live in the moment, to accept life as it presents itself, without imposing conclusions and reactions on ourselves and those
around us. "Above all," I told my patient, "trust yourself. Listen to your body/mind/spirit and respond accordingly."
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I 've seen pictures of people with needles in their ears. What are they doing?
When acupuncture is done on the ears it is called auricular acupuncture. Recently there have been articles on it's use to support people in overcoming drug addictions. Short needles are inserted shallowly at 5
specific sites and allowed to remain for thirty minutes. While it is only one part of a successful treatment program the role acupuncture plays is
important. Clients treated with auricular acupuncture report a reduction in cravings, less anxiety and better sleep. TAI is involved in two such programs thereby allowing students to learn another form of
acupuncture and be of service to the community.
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What is moxa? Why does my acupuncturist use it?
Moxa is an herb of the mugwort family, a species of chrysanthemum. The Latin name is Artemisia Vulgaris. The leaves are used to form "moxa wool" which can be formed into cones of various sizes. The
acupuncturist then places it on a point and lights it with an incense stick. The moxa smolders until the patient feels the warmth at which time it is
removed and the next cone is applied. Moxibustion warms the meridians and expels cold. This is one reason it is used more often in winter. Moxibustion also promotes the smooth flow of qi and strengthens the
yang energy.
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How long will I need to come for acupuncture treatment?
Length of treatment is as individual as the treatments themselves. However, there are some "rules of thumb" that may prove helpful. Generally, it takes a minimum of four treatments spaced a week or so
apart for every year you've had a condition. For example, if you have had neck pain for three years, you would expect to go for twelve treatments to reach the optimum benefit for your condition. Factors such
as age, overall state of health, and medications all influence the length, frequency and effectiveness of treatment. After six to eight treatments
you and your practitioner will know to what extent you are or are not benefiting from acupuncture.
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Why do you keep changing needles?
There are at least three reasons for using different needles during a treatment: safety, comfort, and effectiveness. Since different parts of the
body host various microbes, using a fresh needle for various points can prevent their spread within the body itself. Secondly, needles become dull quickly, often after only three or four insertions. Sharp needles
create less sensation on insertion than dull ones. Finally, different length needles are often required to reach the energy at various points.
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