FAQs

What are Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a medical practice developed in China approximately 2000 years ago. It is used side by side in China along Western Medicine. Up to today, TCM still is taught in medical school and practiced in hospitals.

Traditional Chinese Medicine has four main branches:

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a therapeutic modality; it treats patients by inserting very thin sterilized stainless steel needles into specific points in the surface of skin. There are more than 360 regular points located on meridians through which Qi (vital energy) runs. Hundreds of extra points exist.

Chinese medicine believes that stimulating these points can promote free flow of Qi (vital energy), once Qi is not blocked and balanced, health is restored. Even though we do not have enough scientific proof that these meridians or acupuncture points exist, studies show that acupuncture can definitely influence various biochemical and physiological functions, such as the releasing of neurotransmitters and endorphins, increased circulation, decreased inflammation as well as speed up national healing.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Herbal Medicine uses a variety of natural medicinal plants to prevent and treat illnesses. It was used in place of drugs before western medicine was introduced to China, still widely accepted and popular in China today. Herbs can be used alone or used in combination, forming a prescription where the individual effects are strengthened and the function complemented. We normally use a few hundreds of herbs in regular practice but, more herbs and formulas exist. *See reference section for more information.

Tui Na

Tui Na is Chinese bodywork. Some of the techniques are similar to conventional western massage, like gliding, kneading, percussion, pulling and shaking, but others involve chiropractic and orthopedic manipulation. In China, TuiNa is used more for therapeutic purpose than just relaxation.

Qi Gong & TaiJi Quan

Qigong is Chinese energy practice, it integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention. Its goal is to cultivate body energy flow for healing, health maintenance and increasing vitality, or as a therapeutic modality, to treat patients. Taiji Quan is a form of gentle exercise movement and can be used for all age groups. The goal is to improve health, longevity, mental and spiritual development. Taiji has many varieties of styles, but all have a common philosophy of relaxing body and mind, and help free flow of the body’s natural energy.

What is the Uniqueness of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

TCM has a unique way to view the body, health and disease in comparison with conventional western medicine. For example:

Health is a stage of balance.

The balances of Yin and Yang, five elements, and body and mind & spirit. Once this balance is interrupted or broken, illnesses occur. Many internal and external reasons can affect this balance, such as injury, infection, pollution, poor diet, mental stress etc.

Views the human body as a whole.

Since our body is energetically connected, we cannot just look at one symptom without checking the entire system. For example, conditions like anxiety, seasonal allergies, insomnia and high blood pressure can be caused by some imbalance-Live Yin deficiency.

On the contrary, Asthma can be caused by multiple reasons, such as Lung Qi deficiency, Kidney Qi deficiency or wind-heat invasion. The treatment is completely different.

Treat each patient as a unique individual.

Genetically we are very different in energy patterns, therefore some western diseases can manifests in unique ways for each person. Thus The treatment should be done accordingly. Customized treatment is a very important aspect of the Chinese Medical system.

Prevention and well being.

There is an old saying: “The best doctors know how to prevent disease rather than treat disease”. How to prevent re-occurrence of illness is one of the key aspects of TCM systems. For example, build body energy before allergy season for allergies, treating arthritis before seasons turns, treat winter upper respiratory infection in the summer etc.

What Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can treat?

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are one of the safest medical treatments available today. It is not only used in pain management, but also used to treat many respiratory, endocrinological, gastrointestinal, gynecological, neurological, musculoskeletal and addictive disorders.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) and National Institute of Health (NIH), as well as yearsof clinical experience, YanQiu He made a list of conditions effectively treated by acupuncture:

Arthritis, Tendonitis, Bursitis, Neuropathic pain, Shingles
Neck pain, Back pain, Knee pain, shoulder pain, Wrist pain, leg & foot pain, hip pain, Sciatica, Joints pain, surgical pain
Migraine, Headache, Insomnia, stress management
Anxiety, Panic Attack, Depression, ADHD, OCD
Sinusitis, Asthma, Bronchitis, frequent Cold & Flu
Seasonal Allergy, Chemical Sensitivity, Skin allergy, Eczema, Lupus, MS
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Irregular or painful Menstruation, Endometriosis, Menopause, Chronic Bladder Infection
Hormones Imbalance, Infertility, Support IVF and IUI
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Food Allergy, Acid Reflex, Diarrhea & Constipation, Colitis, Abdominal Bloating
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease, Hepatitis. Ringing the ear, Dizziness, Blurred Vision
High Blood pressure, Stroke Rehabilitation, Reynaud's Disease, Poor circulation
Chemotherapy/radiation related Nausea, Vomiting, Fatigue, emotion stress
Weight control, Quit Smoking, appetite control

What are YanQiu He's Credentials?

YanQiu He was trained 8 years in both Western Medicine and Chinese Medical in Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.

YanQiu He worked for 7 years as a Chinese hospital physician. After coming to the US, she worked almost 8 years in integrative medicine for Suburban Hospital integrative medicine center and on the NIH pain & palliative care team.

Diplomate of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Why you should come to YanQiu He?

YanQiu He is experienced in both Chinese medicine and Western Medicine and is an expert in complementary and integrative care. She uses traditional diagnosis tools like tongue and pulse, and also considers blood tests, western exams and western diagnosis.

You will only work with YanQiu He, not assistants or nurses. All of her patients have her 100% attention and focus. You will never feel rushed and interrupted.

YanQiu He's goal is to help you obtain a full and normal life as soon as possible. In addition to acupuncture, she also provides guidance in life style, diet and specific exercise.

When should I choose acupuncture & Chinese Medicine?

The best way to determine when you should choose acupuncture is to call YanQiu He, let her help you make the decision. Timing is critical and can make a huge difference in outcomes.

In addition, you may consider having a consultation with YanQiu He for the following situations:

If you need/want a second opinion. After seeing numbers of western medical specialist and still unable to get answers for your complex condition, have a consultation with YanQiu He and she may give you an answer you need.
Medication concerns. Often, people worry about "taking too many drugs; having to take one drug to reduce another drug’s side effects; condition progress that needs more drugs or heavier dosage or need a new drug, but it interferes with current drugs you are taking..." You may try acupuncture, a non-toxic, drug free therapy, and may help to reduce drugs or alternative to drugs.
Severe chemical sensitivity, cannot tolerate drugs
Have allergy to certain chemicals, which you need for a current problem. Acupuncture can reduce allergy reaction.
Have liver or kidney disease, need to be careful with drugs.

Payment options

Some insurance covers all or part of acupuncture treatments. However, YanQiu He does not process any insurance claims, but she will provide any documents needed to assist you with obtaining reimbursement from your insurance provider.

YanQiu He accepts cash, check, visa & master card.

Is acupuncture painful?

Acupuncture uses very thin needles, as thin as human hair. If done properly, needle-like pain is rare. In general, it can be considered as a pain free procedure.

How often and how many sessions will I need?

For acute condition, many may feel significantly better after 1-2 sessions.

For chronic conditions, you may need at least 4-6 sessions as a course, then re-evaluate. Sometimes you may need 8-12 sessions in order to make a significant difference.

Ideally, patients come twice a week in the first 2-3 weeks, then stretch to once a week for a few sessions. If conditions require further treatment or maintenance, patients can come once every two or three weeks, even once a month.

For preventive treatment, such as before seasons change, before or after travel, before surgery, and before or after major life events, clients may only need 2-3 sessions, called a "tune up".

How long is an acupuncture session?

A regular acupuncture session takes about 45-60 minutes depending on how complex the treatment. After placing needles, patients need to stay on the table with needles in for at least 20-30 minutes, up to 1 hour.

During these 30 minutes, patient can sleep, meditate or listen to music. The treatment table is clean and comfortable, and the room is quiet and warm. Most importantly, YanQiu He makes sure that you feel safe and being cared for.

For the first visit as a new patient, the session may take longer than one hour, on the safe side, prepare for an hour and a half. During this session, we go over your medical history, TCM exams and diagnosis and make treatment plans.

Treatment often includes other techniques.

Electro-Acupuncture

Electro-Acupuncture is the use of small electrical currents through the acupuncture needles. Electro-acupuncture has been proven to reduce pain, enhance tissue healing, and significantly decrease inflammation.

Heat Lamp

Heat lamps are used in place of Moxibustion. The purpose is to apply heat to the region like the abdomen, knees and feet for pain, arthritis or fatigue.