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Frequently Asked Questions
About Acupuncture & Asian Medicine
WHY USE CLASSICAL ASIAN MEDICINE?
In addition to being effective for many illnesses, Classical Asian Medicine has much to offer those who wish to improve their health and vitality. The primary goal of Asian Medicine is prevention, so we attempt to correct small energetic imbalances before they become big health problems.
If you come to the clinic with significant imbalances, however, we work to correct those and bring you to health. Our form of medicine stimulates and supports your body to do what it was designed to do – heal itself.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
Acupuncture is a form of therapy that promotes natural healing of the body. The science and art of acupuncture involves insertion of needles into specific points along the meridians or channels of the body. Acupuncture is a safe and effective natural therapy and an increasingly popular form of healthcare that is used by a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds.
Asian medicine theorizes that it is essential for qi (energy), as well as blood, to circulate in a continuous and unobstructed manner for good health of the mind and body. Acupuncture meridians are the pathways through which the energy flows throughout the body. Acupuncture points lie along the meridians and are the points that allow entry into the acupuncture meridians. These points provide gateways to influence, redirect, increase, or decrease body¡¯s vital substances, qi (energy) & blood, thus correcting many of the body¡¯s imbalances.
Aside from the well-studied effect on pain, researchers are still exploring exactly how acupuncture aids the immune system. We know that certain blood counts and immune enhancing chemicals stay elevated for at least 3 days following an acupuncture treatment.
Modern research has described other various physiological shifts following acupuncture as well, such as beneficial changes in the body's anti- inflammatory agents and hormonal activity.
DON'T THE NEEDLES HURT?
The needles used for acupuncture are extremely thin. Some people experience acupuncture as virtually painless, while some describe mild tingling, slight numbness/achiness, or electrical pulsations.
How the treatment feels to you will depend on a number of factors, including your preference for how the treatment is delivered. A hallmark of the Zen Clinic practice is the doctors¡¯ ability to achieve more rapid and profound results by using a creative, somewhat more aggressive approach. This can be a topic of your conversation with the doctor before and during treatment.
IS ACUPUNCTURE SAFE?
Drs Song and Chou have the training, experience, and talent to practice acupuncture in a completely safe manner.
WHAT IS AN ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT LIKE?
An acupuncture treatment can be energetic or restful. This, too, depends upon the kind of treatment you undergo. Patients usually leave in less discomfort and are more functional than when they arrived. Sometimes the effects are too subtle to perceive, especially in the beginning of treatment. Over time, improvements become increasingly apparent.
HOW LONG IS AN ACUPUNCTURE VISIT?
The first visit is the longest in order to allow for a complete history taking and exam - typically one and one-half hours. Follow-up visits are usually 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your needs. Sometimes other therapies, such as moxibustion, acupressure/massage, and exercises are incorporated with the acupuncture treatment.
WHAT DOES THE EXAMINATION/CONSULTATION INVOLVE?
An exam/consultation includes the doctor taking a comprehensive medical history, questioning you about your chief complaints and observing you physically such as the appearance of your face and body build, the shape and color of your tongue, the quality of your pulses, and the feel of diagnostic areas such as the abdomen and back. The doctor may also test for weaknesses along the "meridians" and weaknesses in the muscles. A diagnosis can be made once you are understood from all of these perspectives.
HOW QUICKLY WILL I RESPOND TO ACUPUNCTURE?
Everyone is different. Acute problems like a sore throat, sinus congestion, or pain can be resolved in a single session. With chronic problems, significant results will more likely occur within 4-6 treatments. The total number of treatments needed depends upon:
· the severity of your condition
· how long the condition has existed
· your overall state of health, energy and motivation
· your participation in the healing processing (e.g., willingness to change eating habits, make lifestyle changes, etc.)
ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS TO ACUPUNCTURE?
As performed by Drs Song and Chou, acupuncture is safe and effective, free from side effects. Quite often, a sense of relaxation and well-being occurs during and after treatments. While undergoing therapy for one ailment, other problems may resolve concurrently. This is a common side benefit that again demonstrates the value of balancing the quality and quantity of "vital energy" within the entire person.
WHY SHOULD I USE ASIAN HERBS?
Most drugs on the market today are synthetic constructions of plants. Not only is their cost often exorbitant, when plants are synthesized to form drugs the synergistic relationship the "active ingredient" had with the entire plant is lost. Without that relationship, the remaining ingredients can cause side effects that would have been balanced by the other parts of the plant.
The natural herb contains all of the balancing factors it needs to prevent side effects, and can be especially effective when combined with complimentary herbs. Drs Song and Chou are well-trained herbalists who are able to combine individual herbs together to suit your particular health needs in an safe and effective way.
Herbal formulas carefully designed by Drs Song and Chou rarely have side effects because their various influences on different body systems have been balanced by the other herbs and thus each body part receives a particular and desired effect.
WHAT METHODS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
Check , cash or Credit Card
WHAT ARE DR. SONG'S EDUCATION, CREDENTIALS AND EXPERIENCE?
Dr. Dongkyu Song and Dr. Eunhwa Choi relocated to the United States from Korea in 2002. Their education, credentials, and experience – combined with their uniquely authentic, multi-faceted approach – will give you the confidence you should have in your doctor: