Acupuncture FAQ's

1. What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a health science deeply rooted in ancient Chinese medicine.  The principals of Acupuncture is used to treat both pain and dysfunction in the body. Here in the West, the introduction of Acupuncture is fairly new and widely accepted as a viable form of alternative medicine.  Early Chinese physicians discovered an energy network traversing just below the surface of the skin which communicates from the exterior to the internal structures and organs at over 1,000 "Acupoints" on the body. This network of energy works in harmony with the body's central nervous, circulatory, muscular, digestive, genitourinary as well as all other body systems. When this network becomes blocked or weakened the body systems are affected and may bring on pain and/or ill health.
Stimulation of the "Acupoints" may restore harmony, such stimulation helps change the movement of energy within the body, allowing natural healing to take place. Acupuncture practitioners are trained to select several relevant points to help the body restore harmony.
Our body is a unique organic unity. It is a combination of our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. Acupuncture/Meridian Therapy can help maintain or restore lost unity by stimulating points on the body connecting meridians, balancing our vital energy. This vital energy is a unification
of our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual experiences.
Acupuncture helps to prevent illness by improving the overall functioning of the body's immune and organ systems. The main objectives of Acupuncture treatment:
1. Treat existing illnesses and injuries and to alleviate pain.
2. Strengthen the immune system thus preventing illness.
3. Achieve balance, harmony thus improving overall health.
Approximately 8.2 million American adults have used Acupuncture/Meridian Therapy, seeking this health care system to help maintain or restore health, alleviate suffering and the causes of suffering.

2. What is Meridian Therapy?
Acupuncture/Meridian Therapy is the practice of Acupuncture by stimulating an "Acupoint" without the use of penetrating the skin with needles.  There are many ways to stimulate an "Acupoint" other than using needles.  Many practitioners use electronic stimulation, laser beam or pressure massage to treat an "Acupoint".

3. How does Meridian Therapy Work?
The Classical Chinese explanation is that energy (Qi) flows in channels (or meridians) throughout the body and over its surfaces. The human body's energy flow courses over 12 meridians or channels that are normally well balanced.  These meridians are rivers of energy throughout the body, often compared to interconnected highways. If a disruption of energy flow exists, it can alter the entire system, producing pain or symptoms in the body.

Each major organ is associated with its own meridian. Through the network of meridians the internal organs are connected to certain areas and parts of the body including the muscles, bones, joints, and other organs. This interconnecting matrix when balanced facilitates health. If an obstruction occurs in one or several of the meridians, the Qi is disrupted and cannot flow properly. When the Qi cannot flow smoothly or is forced to flow in the opposite direction, the body's innate balance is disrupted and illness results. Acupuncture points are the specific points on the meridians where the Qi is both concentrated and accessible. Acupuncture engages the Qi by stimulating specific points, the goal; to restore the proper flow of Qi or normalcy to the body's energy. This is accomplished by a variety of means, the needle is just one.
Dr. Mark Dumas uses several techniques, including a laser to facilitate stimulation of Acupuncture/Meridian Therapy. By studying how the needles stimulates and mimicking this action,
quantum physics helped us to discover and establish laser light, at a specific frequency, as the newest, non-invasive and painless modality.

4. Are Treatments Painful?
 Patients who have received medical injections are often fearful that acupuncture treatments will be just as painful.  However, four Acupunture needles can easily fit into a hollow hypodermic needle.  Medical hypodermic needles are hollow, stiff and thick.  Acupuncture needles are fine and flexible, no bigger than a human hair or piece of thread.  A skilled acupuncturist inserts the slender needle into an acupoint with little or no sensation.  When the needle makes contact with the energy patients may experience a slight tingling sensations.  Patients often report they are amazed at how comfortable they are.

Dr Mark Dumas may employ electronic and laser stimulation to the "Acupoints".  Both of these procedures are painless and equally effective.  The tapping needle "teishein" is not really a needle, it does not pierce the skin.  It does produce a mild to moderate sensation, much like tapping a ball point pen on the skin.  Also thumb pressure is equally impressive and not considered painful.
 

5. How Many Treatments are Usual?
The number of treatments vary with each individual and condition.  Some patients notice immediate improvements, others may not notice any effect until the 8th treatment.  A small number may experience a worsening of symptoms as the body's energies are returning to normal.  There is no need for alarm as it is followed by improvement.  Usual number of treatments is between 8 and 16, and usually scheduled two to four times a week.
Patients are encouraged to follow Dr. Dumas's treatment program and have patience with the healing process.  If results occur in fewer visits, Dr. Dumas may elect to discontinue or modify treatments. This will increase the likelihood of success.

6. What Conditions Are Treatable by Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been used to treat well over a hundred different conditions for thousands of years.  The World Health Organization and the International Acupuncture training center of the Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine have indicated that Acupuncture is effective in treating the following conditions:
(this is a partial list, consult with Dr. Mark Dumas for conditions not listed.)
Acute and chronic pain, injuries, migraine, tension, cluster and sinus headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, bladder dysfunction, bed wetting, back and neck pain, tennis elbow, post-operative pain, gastric problems, asthma, allergies, skin conditions, hemorrhoids, abnormal blood pressure, fatigue, anxiety, neurologic syndrome, eye problems, addictions, arthritis, ADD, bursitis, carpal tunnel, colitis, digestive issues, vertigo, immune system deficiency, thyroid conditions, kidney and liver problems, etc.
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7. Besides needles, what are other treatment options?
Needles are used in traditional treatment, other effective means include acupressure, blunt probes, pressure massage, laser, heat, cold, ultrasound, electronic stimulation, moxibustion, herbal therapy just to name a few.
Dr. Dumas considers the following before selecting a treatment method:
   Patient's age and  physical condition
   Location of acupoints needed for treatment
   Desired outcome

8. How does the flow of Chi (energy) become blocked or unbalanced?
The balance in the flow of Chi can be affected by a number of factors, both internal and external.  Some of them are:
Poor nutrition
Adulterated food
Toxic air or water
Infectious or contagious diseases
Malfunction of an organ
Injuries
Excessive dampness, wind, cold, heat
Emotional responses, anxiety, stress

9. How is the need for Acupuncture diagnosed?
Diagnosis centers on finding blockages and imbalances of Chi.  Examination of meridians, Dr Dumas may utilize electronic evaluation called Ryodoraku, or other electronic means.  Or he may use traditional diagnostic methods.  They are as follows:

    * Pulse Diagnosis, the pulses reveal excesses, deficiencies, disharmonies of Chi and what organs are involved.
    * Observing the patient, color and condition of the tongue, condition of skin and hair, is the voice weak, hoarse, have a high or low pitch.
    * Medical history, lifestyle, diet of the patient.
    * Physical Examination, tender acupoints may reveal a specific problem.

10. Which acupoints are treated?     
  Traditional formulas for each diagnosis are available in charts and books.  Also, Dr. Dumas has many years of experience in treating hundreds of specific conditions, thus he has success with these proven formulas.
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11. Are Acupuncture Needles Safe and Sterile?
Of course.  Dr. Dumas is required to follow very strict sterilization procedures.  Needles are pre-sterilized, packaged and shipped in sterilized containers.  Needles are disposed of after each use and never reused.

12. What are Ear and Hand Acupuncture?
The surface of the ear contain more than one hundred Acupoints relating to various organ systems and parts of the body.  Thus Ear Points often allow for affective treat pain and disease in corresponding organs.  The Ancient Chinese viewed the ear as representing an upside down fetus.  During fetal development the first structure to form is the brain and spinal chord, at the same time the external ear also develops.  The success rate in Ear Acupuncture is remarkable.

Drug and Alcohol addiction is often treated in this way as well.

The Hand has many acupoints and may also be used for treatment.  By stimulating specific hand points, headache, sore throat, neck and shoulder pain, even toothache may be treated.

13. Can Pain be Relieved through Acupuncture?
More people seek Acupuncture for pain relief than any other complaint.  Pain is a persistent reminder that something is wrong.  Pain medications often only mask the underlying cause.  Dr. Dumas will address your pain as well as the cause of that pain.

14. Can that "Stressed-Out" Feeling be Helped with Acupuncture?
 Stress and anxiety can make you sick.  Dr. Dumas understands that a high stress lifestyle can contribute to a host of chronic illnesses and conditions.  Too much stress affects the balance of Chi and can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, headaches and may other conditions.  Dr. Dumas may recommend periodic acupuncture care to bring your Chi into balance, replacing the feelings of stress with a sense of well-being.
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15. Will Acupuncture interfere with my Medication?
No, Acupuncture will not interfere with medication.

16. Can Acupuncture help control Smoking and other Addictions?
Acupuncture has been successful in treating addictions.  This procedure along with professional counseling has been proven extremely effective.  Smoking has also showed success with Acupuncture.  The average patient will reduce their intake by at least one half with twenty-four hours of the first treatment.  After several treatments, the patient is able to stop without experiencing negative side effects of quitting.

17. What About Payments?
 Our office is equipped to easily meet your financial needs.  Most medical insurance does not cover Acupuncture.  Our office accepts Checks, Cash, Master Card, Visa, Discover and Care Credit.  For information on Care Credit ask our accounts manager.


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