Leading Experts of Eastern Medicine in Northern Houston

When performed by a properly trained and licensed practitioner, acupuncture is safe and effective, free from adverse or free from adverse side effects. Like in any puncturing services, there is always a small chance of bleeding, tenderness or bruising (especially for those who take blood thinners), but trained needling professionals can take care of them swiftly.

The needles used for acupuncture are much smaller than the standard hypodermic needles (only 2 times the width of a single hair). It is nothing like receiving an ordinary injection. In some cases, you will not even know the needles are in place. In others, there may be some tingling, warmth, heaviness, or a feeling of the qi (energy) moving up and down the channels. Most people find acupuncture extremely relaxing, and many fall asleep during treatment.

That depends on the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. You may need only a single treatment for an acute condition. A series of 6-12 treatments may resolve many chronic problems. Some degenerative condition may require treatments over a longer period of time. To help reduce the number of treatments, practitioner may suggest dietary modification, specific exercises regimes, relaxation techniques, self-acupressure, and/or Chinese herbal medicine, all of which may help to increase the efficacy of acupuncture.

Usually the first visit is the longest in order to allow for a complete history taking and exam – typically one to one and one-half hours. Follow-up visits are generally shorter, usually 30 - 45 minutes.

Relaxation is the key to a comfortable treatment. There is no need to be frightened. Ask your practitioner any questions you have so that you can get the most benefit possible from the treatment. Do not change your position or make sudden movements. If you are uncomfortable, tell your practitioner. Always eat a bit before coming to acupuncture, coming to a needling session with empty stomach sometimes may cause a rare condition called Needle Fainting, an uncomfortable episode of nausea-induced dizziness-filled feeling.

The outcome of the treatments differs between patients based on how long they’ve experienced the pain or disease. Majority of patients feels relief after the first treatment. Depending on the condition, the practitioner may recommend a treatment plan including how many times the patients should get treated. Patients who follow the treatment generally see improvement. Acupuncture takes time but it is effective and at the end of the day your body will thank you!

Acupuncture is a powerful healing tool, but it is not the only solution to every health care problem.
Both Western and Eastern Medicines have their respective strengths and weaknesses, which is why in modern China, the two systems are commonly used together. When appropriately combined, the patient is better served. Generally speaking, acute, life-threatening conditions are best handled by Western medical doctors, please call 9-1-1 in an emergency situation. Routine health problems and chronic conditions, for which medication and surgery have not been effective, often benefit from Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine.