This is actually a really deep question that could take hours to dive into, but the short answer is this: Acupuncture needles are inserted into different acupuncture points. These points work as pools of energy that have specific functions or actions. The theory behind what these points do has been studied and tested for thousands of years. There are channels, also known as meridians, that run along the body and have connections with specific organs in the body, and these meridians are where you find the acupuncture points. That is why you might hear your acupuncturist talk about using the Stomach, Liver, Spleen, Kidney channel, etc. Without getting into too much theory, we use the dynamics that are present within these channels and organs to initiate whichever response we are trying to achieve in the body to bring it back into a state of balance. Doing this is what allows us to work with so many different medical conditions.

Another concept in Chinese medicine has to do with the word “Qi” pronounced as “chi”. Qi is one of the vital substances in the body (Blood is another one of these substances). There are many different types of Qi, and they have different functions within our system. Qi courses through the meridians the same way that Blood courses through the blood vessels. Qi can stagnate, become depleted, or run rebelliously through the body in a direction that it is not meant to go. We are able to manipulate this Qi to correct what might be out of balance with it, and that is what we refer to when we talk about energetic balancing.

There’s a saying in Chinese medicine: “If you can name it, Chinese medicine can treat it.” How is that possible? The reason is because Chinese medicine is a full spectrum medicine that works by determining the underlying pattern responsible for creating the disharmony in the body. It’s detective work. We determine what patterns are present by doing a thorough consultation where we talk about all the little things (that may or may not seem associated to what you are coming in for) and we also look at your tongue and feel your pulse each visit so that we can get more information from your body directly. Once your patterns have been determined, then we treat them using acupuncture, herbs, and/or other adjunctive techniques (cupping, gua sha, moxibustion therapy, etc.).

Having full and complete faith in this medicine, I know that if there’s something I don’t have success with, it isn’t because this medicine cannot treat the condition, but rather because I have not been able to determine all of the correct patterns. Different practitioners think in different ways, and this medicine is so expansive that sometimes it takes a different point of view to open the right door. I believe if someone hasn’t had successful results with acupuncture and Chinese medicine, they likely weren’t seeing the right practitioner for their condition.

With that said, many conditions that I love treating are GI issues, headaches/migraines, insomnia and other sleep disturbances, hormonal balancing, menopausal symptoms, infertility, obstetrics, anxiety, depression, psoriasis, seasonal allergies, pain management (especially knees and shoulders) and other internal medicine conditions such as autoimmune disease – just to name a few. If I haven’t named what you are wanting help with, that doesn’t mean I don’t love treating it. I consider myself a general primary care provider, so nothing is off limits!

Because we are using needles, acupuncture can get a bad rap. But most of the time, you won’t even feel the needles go in. The gauge of the needle is hair thin, so it is a completely different experience from getting blood drawn or getting a vaccine. In those cases, the needle has a much thicker gauge in order to draw fluids out or put a substance in. This does not happen with acupuncture needles whatsoever. People tell me all the time that they can’t even tell after I have inserted one.

Sometimes there can be a tiny prick when the needle goes in, but that doesn’t always happen, and if it does, it goes away almost instantly. Acupuncture is extremely relaxing – the body releases endorphins as the needles do their job. The body needs to be in a deep, relaxed state in order to heal itself, and the relaxation aspect is a definite perk of getting treatments! People often fall asleep and completely forget the needles are there.

Nope! Acupuncture is safe for all ages. You might feel a little sleepy or “out of it” when the treatment is over, but that’s just because of the flooding of endorphins the body receives during the session.

The acupuncture meridians follow along their own trajectories. These can be in the head, chest, abdomen, arms, hands, legs, feet, back, etc. Acupuncture points are chosen by the practitioner, who determines the specific therapy needed for the treatment you are seeking.

Yes! There are a handful of points that are contraindicated, and a few areas we won’t go near (such as the abdomen and lower back), but most points are completely safe. In fact, acupuncture can be extremely helpful during pregnancy. It can help with morning sickness, fatigue, aches and pains, spotting or bleeding of any kind, swelling in the hands and feet, blood sugar issues, and threatened miscarriage. It can help to turn a breech baby and it can also be utilized to help induce labor at the end of pregnancy. If there is an emergency, I will always recommend following up with your western medical doctor as well.

Postpartum care is also extremely beneficial to help build Qi and Blood back after labor so that you don’t feel so wiped out. It can also help with postpartum depression, breast feeding (breast tenderness, mastitis, milk production issues), vaginal discharge, hemorrhoids, incontinence, hair loss and skin changes.

Filling out all new patient paperwork and signing all forms prior to your first treatment is the most helpful thing that you can do. Arriving on time is also extremely helpful. If you are late, it’s possible we may have to shorten the treatment to make time for everyone else that is on the schedule that day. You are free to wear loose fitting clothing if that makes you more comfortable, but it’s not a requirement. I have plenty of blankets and towels for draping. Eat a light meal an hour or so before treatment, and make sure to drink water before and after.

Acupuncture is sometimes covered by insurance, but not all insurance companies cover it or compensate fairly for the service. With that said, Modern Moon Acupuncture would love to take insurance in the future. My first goal is to be able to provide patient’s with super bills (hopefully) by the end of October 2023. A super bill has all of the coding included that your insurance provider needs to be able to reimburse you for your treatment. If your insurance provider doesn’t cover the full price of the appointment, they would reimburse you for however much they are able to. The remainder would end up being the same for you as the copay that you would pay for your appointment if we did take insurance here.

As soon as there are any updates on implementing super bills or the acceptance of insurance, we will make sure to update this information. Thank you for your patience and understanding on this matter.