FAQ's

What if I am afraid of needles?

We understand. Fear of needles is the second biggest fear in the United States. Acupuncture is only one of a dozen or two modalities that practitioners of Oriental medicine utilize. Except for acupuncture, none use needles. Other modalities include herbs, exercises such as qi gong and tai chi, massage, moxibustion, cupping, e-stim, heat therapy, etc... So if you are fearful of needles, discuss it with one of our practitioners and we will be happy to accommodate you.

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture works by a wholy consistent and empirically based system using history, examination, diagnosis, and treatment. While the terms may sound odd to those not brought up in the culture, they offer reproducible and sustainable results as evidenced by patient recoveries and numerous scientific studies.

From a Western biomedical point of view, acupuncture has been shown to release or reduce many bioactive compunds in the body including endorphins, neurotransmitters, epinephrine, and cortisol. In addition, inserting needles into points has specific affects depending on the location. For example, inserting a needle in the foot has been shown to affect the visual centers of the brain.

Do I need to be concerned about drug-herb interactions?

Many patients have concerns over Chinese herbal formulas interacting with the pharmaceuticals drugs that they are currently taking. Although there are considerations to take into account, taking both herbal medicine and pharmaceuticals together is not only safe, but advantageous. While every practitioner of Oriental medicine is instructed in how to recognize and avoid drug-herb interactions, one of our partners, Dr. Greg Sperber, wrote the textbook on the subject, Integrated Pharmacology, Combining Modern Pharmacology with Chinese Medicine, and is available to review every patient's chart no matter which of our partners is treating.

Are there any adulteration issues with using herbs from China?

At New Life Health Partners, most of our herbs are manufactured in the United States or Taiwan. We use the finest Chinese herbs from KPC Products, Inc. KPC manufactures premium Chinese herbal preparations at its GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) approved facility in Taiwan. KPC's herb extracts are submitted to tests to insure that they meet GMP standards. The site laboratory uses equipment such as High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to assure consistent levels of active ingredients. All products are analyzed for the presence of heavy metals and harmful bacteria such as salmonella and E coli. In addition, we use American made, high quality herbal pills from Health Concerns.

Do you accept insurance?
For the convenience of our patients, New Life Health Partners does accept insurance. However not every insurance policy pays for acupuncture. To find out if we can process insurance for you, please call. Even if we can't bill your insurer, we may be able to give you a bill so that you can submit a claim and get reimbursed directly. If you have insurance that covers acupuncture, it is more than likely that we will accept your insurance. Please ask if you have any questions.

Are needles safe?
Absolutely. We only use disposable needles that are used once and discarded. In addition, we use the highest quality needles to make the patient's experience as comfortable as possible.

What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a process whereby a trained and licensed acupuncturist inserts thin, sterile, single-use needles into specific points on the body to elicit a healing response. Currently the fastest growing medical modality in the United States, acupuncture is archeologically documented to be at least 2500 years old. It has been consistently used since its beginning in China and has spread the world over. It is one of the most implemented medical techniques in human history.

Needles range in size and thickness but are generally far thinner than any injection needle you have experienced. The needles are so thin, about 20 of them could be inserted into the hole of a hypodermic needle. Generally, between five and fifteen needles are used per treatment, although this number can vary greatly. Each treatment is customized to meet your current needs and may be slightly different.

What does acupuncture feel like?
It depends. This medical skill evolved all over Asia and many techniques devised. Some generate a great deal of sensation, others cannot be felt at all, and several range in between. Once acupuncture needles are in place, the patient rests comfortably as the needles are generally not felt. An acupuncturist may continue to interact with a patient or leave the treatment room while the patient enjoys the calming and relaxing experience privately.

Acupuncture can feel wonderful! The process stimulates endorphins, substances that create a calming and pleasurable state. Many patients fall asleep or feel deeply relaxed as a result of treatment. Many times patients feel energized and relieved of their symptoms immediately.

What are the licensing requirements and education for practitioners?

The California State Acupuncture Board (www.acupuncture.ca.gov) requires that potential license holders graduate from an accredited school of Chinese medicine, and then pass the state licensing exam. All practitioners at New Life Health Partners hold a Masters of Traditional Chinese Medicine or Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) and are nationally certified in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

Which health problems can acupunture address?

The Oriental medical system helps the body improve almost any health condition. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can benefit a wide range of health challenges including but not limited to:

  1. Ailments that your current medical care is not addressing to your satisfaction: Chronic pain, including arthritis, migraines, back or neck pain, phantom limb pain, osteoporosis, residual injury pain and others. Chronic illness including diabetes, asthma, gastro-intestinal difficulties, allergies, skin disorders, HIV, chronic fatigue syndrome, post stroke or heart attack, multiple sclerosis, tobacco, alcohol and drug addictions, and many more. Acute ailments including influenza, colds, food poisoning, and others.
  2. Difficult side effects of medical treatment: Post surgical healing and side effects from chemotherapy, fertility treatment, and medical testing.
  3. Orthopedic and Traumatic Injuries: including tendonitis, muscle strains, sprains, joint inflammation, accidents including whiplash, disorientation, muscle spasm, body pain, and many other conditions. This medical system was the very first in history to have a branch specifically devoted to sports medicine. The martial arts, originating in China, are still the most injury prone of the world circuit competitive sports. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine have been treating martial arts and war related injuries since its inception over 2500 years ago.
  4. Mental health issues: emotional trauma, foggy thinking, absent mindedness, loss of sexual sensation, sexual function problems, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and mood swings.
  5. Hormone related problems such as PMS and other menstrual disorders, menopausal symptoms, sexual function and desire problems in men and women, adrenal fatigue, and infertility in men and women.

Acupuncture is only one of the many tools used by practitioners of Oriental medicine. When you go to see a practitioner, he or she will have many techniques to help you.