FAQ: Where we answer what you may be thinking
Does acupuncture help with severe headaches?
Yes. Acupuncture has been conclusively proven — through controlled trials recognized by the World Health Organization, the WHO —to ease the symptoms and frequency of headaches and migraines.
I suffer a lot of pain. Can acupuncture help me?
In controlled studies recognized by the WHO, acupuncture has been proven to help with everything from knee pain, lower back pain, neck pain, facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders), pain following surgery, and even dental-related pain (including temporomandibular dysfunction). The WHO believes that when it comes to pain from cancer, the therapeutic effect of acupuncture has been shown but further proof is needed (in terms of cancer and adverse effects from chemotherapy and/or radiation, or nausea and vomiting, the WHO agrees that the benefits have been proven).
Can acupuncture help me get pregnant?
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs work on strengthening the body to produces the most healthy eggs a woman can. Scarring, fibroids, low levels of hormones, and secondary infertility (problems getting pregnant due to other medications, thyroid disorders, or systemic disorders like RA) can all be addressed while helping all the systems of the body harmonize (the idea of integrative medicine being the part treats the whole and the part is a reflection of the whole). I have had a lot of success treating infertility and then following up with supportive care. You can read about some of that in my Testimonials section.
Do I need to believe in acupuncture for it to work?
Not at all. Some of my best clients have started out as skeptics until witnessing the benefits for themselves.
Can acupuncture help my allergies?
The same controlled studies (as well as a lot of my personal experience!) prove that acupuncture is effective at treating Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever).
Can acupuncture help with my period pain?
Definitely. Up to 95% of women suffer from period pain. In a new randomized controlled trial led by Australian researchers (published in July of 2017), all participants received acupuncture but some received it more frequently. Researchers concluded that "the women undergoing acupuncture MORE FREQUENTLY experienced more significant improvements in period pain intensity and related symptoms, as well as in overall quality of life." They also saw better results from manual acupuncture than electric: more than half the women undergoing manual acupuncture experienced a decrease in period pain and related symptoms of up to 50 percent.
What are some differences between Western and Eastern medicine?
Western and Eastern medicine are independent systems with different beliefs and in some cases, even have different ideas about anatomy. I have become more and more convinced that Western medicine excels at structural issues, infectious diseases and anything requiring surgery while Eastern medicine excels at treating chronic conditions and promoting good general health and balance (both physical and emotional). As a practical matter, I often work in conjunction with other specialists (from physicians to pain management experts, neurologists, therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, and more) to maximize patient care.