FAQS

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WHAT IS ORIENTAL MEDICINE?

Oriental medicine is a holistic medical system that has developed over the last 2500 years and is used to maintain health and treat a wide range of illnesses. The three main branches of Oriental medicine are acupuncture, herbology and bodywork (for more details of each modality refer to the Services page). The focus of Oriental medicine is on the patient’s well-being, rather than treating only specific, isolated symptoms. As a holistic medicine, the goal of an Oriental medicine treatment is to restore equilibrium between a person’s physical, emotional and spiritual aspects.

WHAT ARE THE ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES LIKE?

Unlike hypodermic needles, which are thick, hollow and used for injections, acupuncture needles are hair-thin, flexible and are made of solid stainless steel. Needle sizes range from ½ inch up to 3 inches long. At AcuBalance Wellness Center, we use only sterile, single-use acupuncture needles which are FDA approved medical devices.

DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT?

Our goal at AcuBalance Wellness Center is to ensure that each patient has an effective and comfortable treatment. We have spent years training in needling technique to ensure that acupuncture is virtually a pain-free experience for our patients. When the needles are inserted, you may feel a sensation of heaviness, distention, soreness, tingling, warmth or movement within the body, but you should not feel pain. Following needling, most people feel extremely relaxed and may even fall asleep.

WHAT IS MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE?

Medical Acupuncture is a form of acupuncture created for Western practitioners such as medical doctors, chiropractors and osteopaths who wish to use acupuncture-based techniques without giving credence to traditional Oriental medicine diagnosis or theory. State acupuncture licensing requirements for Western practitioners are more lenient, often requiring a minimum of 200 or 300 hours of training. In comparison, nationally board-certified acupuncturists typically complete more than 1000 hours of acupuncture clinical training, in addition to close to 4 years of academic training.

I KNOW THAT ACUPUNCTURE IS GOOD AT TREATING PAIN, WHAT ELSE CAN ACUPUNCTURE AND ORIENTAL MEDICINE TREAT?

The National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization has recognized acupuncture and Oriental medicine as effective treatment for over 43 common ailments including addictions, anxiety, allergies, arthritis, asthma, depression, hypertension, digestive disorders, infertility, menopausal symptoms, migraine headaches, PMS and urinary tract infection to name just a few. Traditionally, Oriental medicine has successfully treated many other conditions as well.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF MY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERS ACUPUNCTURE?

To find out if acupuncture is covered by your insurance plan, call the phone number on the back of your insurance card and ask the following important questions:

* Is acupuncture covered by my plan?
* Is a referral required from my Primary Care Provider?
* Is reimbursement limited to particular network providers?
* Is pre-authorization required?
* Am I limited to specific diagnosis codes? If so, what are they?
* Is there an annual deductible?
* If so, how much is the deductible? How much has been met
this year?
* If I am covered for acupuncture, then may I receive written
proof / authorization?
* Is there a maximum yearly allowance for acupuncture? Maximum number of visits? Specific dollar amount? What percentage is covered?

We are not currently able to process and provide insurance billing for our services, but we can provide you with a receipt to submit to your insurance company.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OR SIDE EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURE?

As with any medical procedure, there is risk involved with acupuncture, although it is generally safe when practiced by a properly trained professional. Adopting and enforcing standards of training have proven to be effective measures of risk management and prevention (see www.NCCAOM.org). The risks and possible side effects of acupuncture are:

* Bruising
* Fainting
* Muscle Spasm
* Bleeding
* Nerve damage (very extremely rare)
* Punctured organs (very very extremely rare)

ARE CHINESE HERBS SAFE?

Chinese herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years with great success. At AcuBalance Wellness Center, we use high quality herbal granules which have been produced under pharmaceutical good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards and have been tested for potency and safety. For more information on Chinese herbs refer to the Treatment Modalities section on the Services page.

CAN I MEET YOU BEFORE I SCHEDULE MY INITIAL APPOINTMENT?

Yes, if you are new to acupuncture and oriental medicine and would like to experience it before booking a full appointment, we offer an Acupuncture Trial Session. During this session we will insert several acupuncture points and you will be allowed to rest for about 30 minutes. The whole session will last for 45 minutes and costs $45. As an added bonus, you may then apply the $45 payment to your first appointment if booked within 30 days. Please note that the Acupuncture Trial Session is not intended to treat any particular illness. It is designed to introduce you to the sensations and experience of acupuncture while gently calming and balancing your body.

You may also choose to schedule a 20 minute Complimentary Consultation. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet us, visit the wellness center, and ask questions.
Some of the things we might want to discuss during this consultation include:

* The reason(s) you are seeking treatment
* Oriental Medicine treatment modalities that may be beneficial to you
* Payment options and insurance
* Questions or concerns you may have regarding acupuncture, herbs, or other aspects of our care

To schedule either an Acupuncture Trial Session or a 20 Minute Complimentary Consultation, please call our office at 773-775-4257.

WHAT DO THE INITIALS AFTER THE ACUPUNCTURIST'S NAME STAND FOR?

“L.Ac.” (Licensed Acupuncturist) is the abbreviation most commonly seen after an acupuncturist’s name, but there are many other certifications and designations that practitioners may obtain. Below is a list of the most common abbreviations and their meanings:

• A.B.T. Asian Bodywork Therapist
• C.A., C.Ac. Certified Acupuncturist
• C.H. Chinese Herbalist
• D.A.O.M. Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental medicine (professional Doctoral degree similar to Ph.D.)
• Dipl.Ac. Diplomate in Acupuncture
• Dipl.C.H. Diplomate in Chinese Herbology
• Dipl.O.M. Diplomate in Oriental Medicine (includes both acupuncture & herbs)
• L.Ac. Licensed Acupuncturist
• M.S.T.O.M. Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine