F.A.Q.

Your Acu- Questions Answered. Plus a Few Others.

1. Q: What is this acupuncture I keep hearing about on Oprah and in the news?

A: Acupuncture is one of many therapies developed by the Chinese over several thousand years. Although practiced by many western doctors for years, it is just now becoming scientifically understood and accepted by mainstream medicine. For more details see Common Question in Resources tab

2. Q: It’s gotta hurt, right?

A: The majority of people really have the wrong idea about acupuncture. We are all programmed to think of a visit to the dentist, immunization shots, or blood withdrawal when we think of needles. These types of needles are hollow with serrated edges used to withdraw or inject fluids.

The previous is not the type of needle you will experience with acupuncture. Acupuncture uses needles that are only slightly thicker than a single strand of hair. Many don’t even notice when they go in!

3. Q: What about safety? Do you reuse needles?

A: As long as it is performed by a competent practitioner acupuncture is one of the safest therapies around. All needles are pre-sterilized at the factory, sealed, used only once and then disposed in a biohazard container.

4. Q: What should I expect to feel during a treatment?

A: After insertion, you may feel tingling, warmth, coolness, distention (feeling like the insertion site is full) or you may feel something that you can only articulate as “Whoa” or “Weird.”

Most people are surprised, after waking from a nap, that they fell asleep. Most patients report a sense of calm and improved well being after treatment.

5. Q: Will just one treatment be enough?

A: Usually not. There are always patients that respond after only one treatment and need no further care for the presenting problem. Everyone wants to be this type of patient, but patients tend to respond on a bell curve.

Some people notice an immediate improvement in their health while for others acupuncture tends to have a cumulative effect over several visits.

For estimated treatment times visit and peruse the acupuncture menu of services.

6. Q: Will I have to keep coming back after my treatment course?

A: Acupuncture is always meant to be a short term therapy where you come for just a short time and then are released from care. Acupuncture can be thought of as a kind of “physical therapy” or rehab where a short course of treatment sessions are necessary to make a lasting change. Few conditions require ongoing care.

However, many patients enjoy their treatments so much that they join the TCM QiClub, after they have receive relief for their initial complaint.

7. Q: How does acupuncture work?

A: There are a number of views regarding how acupuncture works and numerous research articles written on the topic. One western medical theory is that the needles stimulate the release of endorphins.  To read more visit patient education in the resource tab.

8. Q: Will acupuncture work for me?

A: There are a number of variables to consider. Age, severity and length of time the condition has existed. Statistically speaking your chances are good, but no medicine can provide a guarantee. You should strongly consider scheduling a consultation appointment at Qi Acupuncture and Wellness to help you make an informed decision.

Qi has treated people of all ages with different conditions throughout the country. Visit Success Stories for a small sampling of the people we have helped

9. Q: My regular doctor offers acupuncture. What is the difference between an MD performing medical acupuncture and a licensed acupuncture doing acupuncture?

A: A loophole in certain states law allows some medical professionals to practice acupuncture with little or no training. To further illuminate the difference Dr. Marilyn Walkey, MD, answers this question.

As a medical doctor who attended and passed a “medical acupuncture” course, I know what that training entails. When I completed it, I had seen 70 videotapes, all given by one MD instructor. I had been to 5 days of lecture, and needled 3 people, all of them other MD’s attending the course. I had not treated one patient on my own. I did not know how to make a Chinese Medical diagnosis, develop a treatment plan, analyze pulse, evaluate tongue. Furthermore, I had no idea of what acupuncture & Chinese herbs could actually do, and therefore I didn’t know when to send patients to a licensed acupuncturist. I don’t believe that MD’s with 300 hours of “medical acupuncture” training can safely and competently practice acupuncture.

I also attended a 3-year program as a full-time student in Oriental Medicine. I can appreciate the dramatic impact of this educational experience in furthering my acupuncture skills and better understanding the paradigm of Oriental Medicine and the challenges of chronic and recalcitrant
disease. -Dr. Marilyn Walkey, MD

10. Q: Can you combine different therapies with acupuncture?

A: Yes! Since acupuncture has no side effects, it can work with other therapies and provide a synergistic effect. Many clients find a mixture of complementary therapies (massage, nutrition, chiropractic) or Western therapies (medications, specialized care, counseling, etc) provide improved patient outcomes.

Read up on our Integrative Care plan on our Freedom page

11. Q: What about acupuncture for post operative pain?

A: Absolutely. You may want to visit our Research tab for more information on this top and others like it.

12. Q: What are some things I should remember before my scheduled appt?

A: Remember:

1. Visit patient forms and download any patient forms available and fill them out prior to your appointment
2. Never have acupuncture performed if you have not eaten all day.
3. If you have not eaten all day eat something, but do not eat excessively before a treatment.
4. Wear comfortable clothing so that points may be accessed easily.
5. If you have any type of clotting disorder, please inform your provider.
6. Make sure to inform your practitioner if any Qi sensation is too intense.

13. Q: What is Qi? (Pronounced Chē)

A: Qi is more than the name of our clinic. Roughly stated, Qi is energy. Qi is the air you breathe, food you eat, water you drink and the energy you get from your parents at conception. Qi is what you feel when the sun’s rays caress your face; it’s the ATP mitochondria produce in your body. Qi is life energy itself.

For a more detailed description see Common Questions in Patient Education

14. Q: How can I find out more about Colon Hydrotherapy?

A: You can visit Articles and read the Colon Hydrotherapy Q& A. You may also email Rosalind@balancetheqi.com

15. Q: Do you offer herbs?

A: Yes. Custom herbal formulations can be prescribed in raw herbal form, powdered blends or patent formulas (prefabricated pills). Qi also offer organic herbs when possible, but at a higher price point.

16. Q: If I have never had an appointment, can I just swing by the office on my lunch break and purchase an herbal formulation and leave?

A: No. Herbs are not provided at Qi without an initial herbal consultation.

17. Q: What is an herbal consultation?

A: An herbal consultation is an herbal formulation appointment; you will fill out patient history forms, and be asked additional information. After your information has been reviewed, recommendation will be made and your herbal options explained and weighed. Then you select the option that best suits your lifestyle needs and desired health outcomes.

18. Q: I’m really interested, but I have a question or two not answered on the site. Do you offer consultations?

A: Yes. You can request a phone consultation through our Contact Us form, or you can call the office to schedule an in office consultation with Renee.

19. Q: Whenever I call the office I get the automated answering machine. Why doesn’t the receptionist answer the phone?

A: Every decision made at Qi Acupuncture and Wellness is done to facilitate our patients’ healing. The phones at the office are set to do not disturb to decrease any potential disruption during a session. Although it is impossible to foresee every potential noise sources, we do as much as we can to eliminate the possibility to provide you the ultimate healing space.

The receptions check the voicemail daily on a regular basis and returns calls. So leave a message and your call will be returned.

20. Q: Does insurance cover acupuncture and herb?

A: More insurance companies are beginning to offer plans with some type of acupuncture option. Qi does not accept insurance, BUT remember that you can get reimbursed for treatments from a flexible spending fund or deducted off your taxes under out of pocket medical expenses.

21. Q: What forms of payment are accepted?

A: Qi Acupuncture & Wellness currently accepts cash, check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover.