What does a typical course of acupuncture treatment consist of?

After an initial evaluation, a "trial" course of acupuncture usually consists of 8 to 12 visits over a three to four week period. The length of treatment corresponds with the length of time the person has had the issue.  For acute issues, it may only take a few treatments for a good result.

 For chronic issues or fertitlity issues, we recommend at least six months of consistent treatment for the best outcomes.  Usually the practitioner will recommend twice weekly appointments to start and gradually phase out to once a week or less. 

The patient needs commit to trying a series of treatments and coming in as the practitioner recommends to achieve maximum results and outcomes.  This is an organic process, and not a quick fix.  However your results will last for years.  We do encourage periodic follow ups as well for the best health-OM is a great preventative modality. 

What is acupuncture and Oriental Medicine? 

Acupuncture is a therapy that uses tiny, threadlike needles or filaments along with moxibustion, an herb burned close to the skin, to stimulate the body's natural healing response. Archeological evidence suggests acupuncture may have been used to relieve joint pain or arthritis as long ago as 3200 BC in the Alps region of Western Europe. Written records in China document acupuncture's place in a highly developed medical system dating back to 300 BC.

Due to its effectiveness, acupuncture has grown rapidly in popularity among Americans seeking relief from chronic and acute health problems. It is the most rapidly growing sector of the medical profession today.  The National Institutes of Health estimates that over eight million U.S. adults have received acupuncture treatments in their lifetime.

Current clinical research is validating that acupuncture is an effective choice for certain health conditions. Although acupuncture and OM operate out of a different paradigm, researchers are also uncovering clues about how acupuncture works by studying how the technique stimulates changes in the subcutaneous connective tissues as well as by documenting how acupuncture affects brain activity.

It is a very complex and scientific system.   Oriental Medicine seeks to improve the balance and health of the body on an inward level to be able to operate optimally and fight external pathogens as well.

Why don't you use herbs like a Chinese acupuncturist and how is your style different from TCM?

The basic differences between Japanese and Chinese acupuncture are reflective of the two cultural backgrounds.  Japanese took the methodology and refined it to a high degree of specialization through moxibustion and acupuncture alone.  The reason we don't use herbs is Japanese acupuncture evolved using needles for a complete treatment.  The Chinese acupuncturist relies on herbs to enforce parts of tx that the Japanese style does completely with specialized needle technique, moxibustion and handwork.  Japanese culture is refined and thus acupuncture is practiced with a high degree effect with the lowest amount of stimulation.  For example; hundreds of years ago, the insertion tube which is commonly used today by most acupuncturists was invented by the Japanese for painless insertion of the needles.

In Japan, traditional acupuncturists were blind and trained to feel the "ki" in each patient.  Thus, the development of such a delicate and refined technique evolved.  There is no "better" or"worse", as the degree of skill is determinate upon the practitioner, regardless of application or style.   It is important to realize that acupuncture takes years to learn and apply especially for more complex or longstanding conditions. 

 Can acupuncture be combined with conventional or other complementary therapies?

As there are no side effects, and I use no herbs,  acupuncture works well alone or as an adjunct to other therapies.  However, patients should not have other modalities done the same day they have acupuncture treatments as the other modalities can disturb the treatment.  Patients should also be aware that when possible, they should use acupuncture alone.  Other modalities in my experience, sometimes interfere with the course of treatment and can seriously affect outcomes.  

Does acupuncture hurt? What should I expect in a treatment?

Acupuncture does not hurt the way I practice it.  You usually don't feel the needles at all.  The school I went to emphasized extremely fine needle technique with extreme sensitivity being a trademark. This is something many of the patients remark upon who have gone to other practitioners-how delicate and precise the technique is.

The first thing that will happen when you come in is you will fill out an intake form detailing your current complaints as well as a health history.  Then I will spend some time talking to you about what your goals are in treatment and all the experiences you have had healthwise that you think I should know about. 

I will then take your pulses and from this and your explanation of your current and past health issues, decide on a course of treatment. I will insert the tiny needles on points, usually on the back, hands and feet(see below on description) and may burn moxa, an herb, near certain points to warm them.  At the end of treatment, a light handwork modality seals in the treatment and provides a relaxing experience for the patient.  We seek to create the safest, most caring environment possible and feedback from the patient is always welcome. 

 Many patients ask what A.I. is treating; although it's a different way of looking at things, he can be treating a lung meridian for example but not the lungs directly.  Everything in East Asian Medicine is connected.  It's a different way of thinking but also more commonsensical.  Obviously human beings are not machines; and everyone responds differently to different things.  For example, one person could take a medication and be fine, another person could have serious health implications and feel awful from it.   It's interesting to note that with all the research out there showing that medications for example are effective, no western doctor can tell you exactly "why". 

We are rapidly changing, dynamic beings.  With respect for each person's unique process and situation, and the constant process of re-creation that occurs in our bodies all of the time, Oriental Medicine can bring a lifetime of vibrant health and renewed enjoyment of life as well as heal the existing condition.  In our view, it is YOUR body which is doing all the work.  All A.I. is doing is redirecting your body to do what it wants to do-be pain free and healthy.

I'm afraid of needles, what are they like and are they sterile-can I be injured during treatment?

Japanese acupuncture needles are extremely thin, the average thickness being approximately the same as a strand of hair. (For example, 50 of the average-sized acupuncture needles can fit together inside the hollow of a smaller-sized, gorged hypodermic needle.) Acupuncture needles are not hollow and no medication is injected into the point. The sole purpose of acupuncture needles is to redirect your body's natural attention (energy) to induce self-healing. In this style of treatment, no subjective sensation at all is required on the part of the patient, yet the patient's body will always notice and respond to a needle's presence at a point, even as the sensation felt is extremely mild or not even noticeable.  The needles we use are sterile and disposable.

This style of acupuncture uses a minimum of needles, two to six on average, all being shallowly inserted about 1-4 mm usually. Additionally, moxa (heat therapy) and acupressure are relied upon heavily to acheive a proper therapeutic effect. These various modalities are easily adjusted to suit each person's condition and comfort level.  There is no way you can be seriously injured or damaged during treatment.  As I said above, I am very honored to have such excellent teachers who emphasized technique and the needles do virtually all the work. 

What can acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture can help with many kinds of health and/or emotional problems. AI has effectively treated: headaches, migraines, back pain and injury, musculoskeletal and neurological pain, stroke and brain injury, hypertension, thyroid problems, chemotherapy and radiation side effects, gynecological issues; fibroids, PMS, endometriosis, infertility, fibromyalgia, RLS, allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems, digestive problems (such as IBS,GERD, acid reflux, ulcers, colitis, Crohn's disease, Celiac disease), repetitive stress injuries (such as carpal tunnel syndrome), sports injuries, fatigue, stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, skin disorders, poor circulation, Heart palpitations; arrhythmia or PVC, circulatory disease, overweight,  low immunity, auto immune disorders, arthritis, addiction, and many other acute and chronic illnesses or injuries.   

Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to work?

No. Acupuncture is used successfully to treat animals, which neither understand nor believe in the procedure. As with any therapeutic course of treatment, a positive attitude may reinforce the effects of acupuncture treatments, just as a negative attitude may hinder the beneficial effects. A neutral or skeptical attitude will not block the treatment results.

I'm pregnant, is acupuncture safe?

I routinely treat pregnant women for nausea in early pregnancy as well as sciatica and pain which is common in pregnancy.  It is a very safe modality for a pregnant woman.  I feel that pregnant women also can benefit from treatment for overall health and I have been asked many times to help with overdue pregnancies as well as breech presentation with great success. 

Do you treat children?

All ages, including children can be treated. Generally the techniques used with children are far milder, usually without needles, and more indirect moxa, acupressure and other forms of stimulation.   Childhood illnesses we have treated: digestive disorders, allergies, asthma, recurrent ear infections, skin conditions, recurrent colds or flu.

How long does it take to see if it is working for me?

Generally, a patient will see some effect directly after treatment. You should know within 10 sessions if it is right for you.  Another rule of thumb is that the longer you have had a condition, the longer it will take to reverse the condition.  In essence, acupuncture unpeels the layers of your condition, so it is common to reexperience old symptoms while going through the process.  However, the patient will feel stronger and the old symptoms will not be as severe.  As Eastern medicine is treating the condition and not just the symptoms the patient after time will be "healed",  on a much deeper level, as well as symptom free.  It takes time, is not instant but the effects are also very long lasting and profound. 

I also strongly urge patients to keep coming in periodically to keep their body going in the right direction.  Many of my patients like coming in because they feel so much better afterward and get sick much less often.

Do you accept insurance?

Some insurance is accepted.  We usually have the patient pay up front and have them submit the needed forms for reimbursement.  We will be happy to answer your questions.

Where else can I learn about acupuncture?

Below are some links to articles where you can learn more.

http://members.shaw.ca/najom/

http://acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/home.php

 Please call us or email if you need to talk more about your specific questions.  We are here for you.

 

Office Hours:  M, T 9-4.  Th 10-6, F 8-1 

Some Saturday hours available

Price List:  (Sliding scale available upon request, also we are happy to provide insurance forms for submittal by the patient, though we do not bill insurance directly.)

Initial tx:  $100.00

Follow up tx $75.00 once a week or less

                    $65.00 2x/week        

Outcall Big Sky:  $350.00

Outcall in Town:  $150

Directions:  From 19th and Durston, W on Durston one block, first R Stoneridge, first L is Charlotte.  Please park in the first or second parking lot on the right , 2135 1B.

Map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=acupuncture&fb=1&gl=us&hq=acupuncture&hnear=Bozeman,+MT&ei=qhweTKG2OZWysAPxwYBK&ved=0CEMQ_wY&hl=en&view=map&f=d&daddr=2135+Charlotte+Street,+Bozeman,+MT+59718&geocode=Cf3xhEqnc7f-FXwfuQIdCkph-SGVmF58pmjCug&sa=X

 

Call 406-586-3133 or email bozeacu (at) gmail.com for more information or an appointment.