What other therapies are offered?
Moxibustion
Moxibustion involves burning dried herbs over specific areas or points of the body. The herb commonly used is called mugwort (artemesia vulgaris) – or a blend of mugwort and other herbs—and is referred to as “moxa.” Moxa comes in many forms: moxa ‘punk’ or loose moxa, sticks of varying sizes, small grains, and many others, and can be burned indirectly over or directly on the body. Moxa’s strong warming quality warms the qi (energy) and blood and improves circulation, especially in disorders characterized by cold, such as menstrual disorders, digestive complaints, and arthritic pain.
Cupping
Cupping is highly beneficial in releasing musculoskeletal tension and pain (which correlates to “stagnation” in the meridian pathways in Oriental Medicine) and removing “pathogens” to alleviate symptoms of the common cold, flu, and other respiratory disorders, amongst other benefits. A vacuum is created by heating the air within a specialized glass cup that is then placed flush against the patient’s skin. As the air cools in the cup, a vacuum forms that pulls the skin and underlying fascia into the opening of the cup, stimulating the acupressure effect. There are numerous cupping techniques, and while it is a virtually painless procedure, the results may appear a bit unsightly as bruising is common due to the fact that blood is brought out of the vessels—no, bleeding does not occur.
Gua sha
Gua sha, also called “scraping therapy,” is a technique that involves repeated pressurized strokes over pre-oiled skin with a smooth-edged instrument such as a ceramic Chinese soup spoon, a well worn coin, a polished piece of water buffalo horn, or a piece of jade. With firm pressure, the smooth edge is “scraped” on the surface of the skin along meridian pathways. Similar to the cupping method, this results in the appearance of small red petechiae, referred to as ‘sha.’ This practice removes blood stagnation and promotes circulation and metabolic processes. The marks on the skin may be slightly tender, but are not painful and, in fact, the patient experiences immediate relief from symptoms such as pain, stiffness, cough, and fever.
Electro-Acupuncture (E-Stim)
Electro-acupuncture, also called e-stim or electrical stimulation, is used to provide greater stimulation of an acupuncture point. According to Acupuncture Today, a trade journal for acupuncturists:
Electroacupuncture is quite similar to traditional acupuncture in that the same points are stimulated during treatment. As with traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted on specific points along the body. The needles are then attached to a device that generates continuous electric pulses using small clips. These devices are used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulse being delivered, depending on the condition being treated. Electroacupuncture uses two needles at time so that the impulses can pass from one needle to the other. Several pairs of needles can be stimulated simultaneously, usually for no more than 30 minutes at a time.” (Acupuncture Today: Electroacupuncture, Feb. 1, 2004)
The sensation felt is a mild tapping, tingling, or buzzing where the needle is inserted, and electro-acupuncture is considered to be especially useful for conditions in which there is an accumulation of qi, such as in chronic pain syndromes, or in cases where the qi is difficult to stimulate.
Convenient location of the clinic
The Classical True Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine clinic is conveniently located in South Denver, Colorado (Centennial), minutes from Aurora, Castle Rock, Cherry Hills Village, DTC, Denver Tech Center, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Lone Tree, and Parker, Colorado.
Return to the Acupuncture home page.
What conditions can acupuncture treat?
The following alphabetized list of conditions are recommended for acupuncture by the World Health Organization (W.H.O.):
Accident injury
Acne
Acute and chronic colitis
Acute and chronic gastritis
Acute bacterial dysentery
Acute bronchitis
Acute conjunctivitis
Acute rhinitis
Acute sinusitis
Acute tonsillitis
Allergies
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Blood pressure problems
Bronchial asthma
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cataract (without complications)
Central retinitis
Chemotherapy Side Effects
Chronic duodenal ulcer
Common cold
Constipation
Depression
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Drug addiction
Dysmenorrhea
Eczema
Eye Disorders
Facial paralysis
Fibromyalgia
Gastric hyperacidity
Gastroptosis
Gingivitis
Headache
Health maintenance
Hiccups
Immune system dysfunction
Insomnia
Intercostal neuralgia
Irregular menses
Low back pain
Low energy
Meniere’s Disease
Migraine
Myopia
Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
Nocturnal enuresis
Numbness
Obesity
Pain after tooth extraction
Pain in the back, and other joints
Paralysis
Paralysis after apoplectic fit
Paralysis caused by poliomyelitis
Paralytic ileus
Periarthritis humeroscapularis
Peripheral neuropathy
Pharyngitis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sciatica
Smoking cessation
Spasm of the esophagus and cardia
Sports injuries
Stress
Tennis Elbow
Tension
Toothache
Trigeminal neuralgia
Please remember that while acupuncture can “treat” this list of conditions, plus more, it is because acupuncture re-establishes homeostasis. As your body strengthens & moves towards working the way it was meant to work, symptoms disappear. We encourage you to read more about Classical True Acupuncture and how it can help you!
What are the different styles of acupuncture?
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of “styles” of acupuncture: Japanese Meridian acupuncture, Worsley 5-Element acupuncture, Japanese Hari and ToyoHari acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Master Tong’s acupuncture, Richard Tan’s Balancing system, I-Ching acupuncture, “Classical” acupuncture, etc. . . yet, the “style” practiced is of no consequence if the practitioner does not fully understand the true basis of acupuncture.
This causes great contention amongst practitioners, for each “style” believes that they hold all the secrets and, therefore, are the best or only “true” form of acupuncture. What is necessary to be a True Acupuncture practitioner, however, is not some arcane theory, lineage, culture, or anything else for that matter. What is required is the clear understanding of pulse diagnosis, how true acupuncture points reflect in the radial pulses, and the understanding of the clinical reality of the relationships of the different systems and parts of the human body—this is all 100% verifiable by all and therefore theory is moot. As a result and regardless of the style a practitioner practices, if they do not know how to locate and needle a true acupoint with verification in the radial pulses, then they practice only theoretical acupuncture and nothing related to true clinical acupuncture.
How does acupuncture work?
According to Western physiology, there are numerous theories as to how and why acupuncture works; however, conclusive proof has not yet been found. During his time, George Soulie de Morant researched True Acupuncture in a medical facility for many years and provided massive amounts of research, which led to his nomination for the Nobel prize. Even with this body of research on True Acupuncture, Western anatomy and physiology studies still remain vague when it comes to understanding how and why acupuncture works. Chinese classical texts provide many theories behind acupuncture’s ability to work, but as these theories rely on “energetics” for their explanation, Western science has had great difficulty in accepting them.
What is certain is that there is a true effect from acupuncture. With True Acupuncture as presented by Morant, we can prove, with 100% constancy, the responses in the radial pulse from the needling of true acupoints, as opposed to needling other areas of the body. All explanations as to how and why effects take place during and after needling, however, remain purely theoretical and belong outside of the clinic. The clinical reality with True Acupuncture is that it is verifiable via the instant physiological changes that take place and reflect in the radial pulses. With our years of clinical evidence behind such observations, the validity of True Acupuncture has consistently been experienced.
How do I choose an acupuncturist or herbalist?
More and more medical professionals, including medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, nurses, physician’s assistants, dentists and naturopaths, are practicing acupuncture without the equivalent training as an acupuncturist. Before seeing an acupuncturist, make sure that he/she is licensed in the state (Colorado) and has extensive training. There are many types of licenses and credentials in this field.
Before you dive into the technical qualifications of an acupuncturist, don’t forget that when choosing a practitioner, you want to make sure that you feel comfortable with him/her, your questions are answered thoroughly and the time is taken to address your specific needs. Do take advantage of free consultations as this gives you a chance to “interview” the practitioner before you make your decision.
Here’s some information to decipher the “Alphabet Soup” of acronyms related to the field of Oriental Medicine and details on the credentials an Oriental Medical professional should have.
L.Ac. = Licensed Acupuncturist
This is a common designation for a practitioner who provides Acupuncture and/or Chinese Herbal Medicine as part of the Oriental Medical practice. L.Ac. is a title given by the state upon fulfilling certain requirements – i.e. completing a program from an accredited school, passing the National board exams, etc. Each state has its own regulations and it is important to familiarize yourself with your state’s requirement of practitioners. (also see FAQ: “Are acupuncture & herbal medicine subject to any state or federal regulations?“)
Instead of L.Ac., some states may issue equivalent titles such as Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac.) or Certified Acupuncturist.
Note:
Most Licensed Acupuncturists have graduated from an accredited training program in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or Oriental Medicine (OM) and have passed the necessary exams. There are a number of states that do not regulate the practice of or who can perform acupuncture, and thus, practitioners who may not have the proper credentials may still practice acupuncture.
Dipl. Ac. = Diplomate in Acupuncture and Dipl. C.H. = Diplomate in Chinese Herbal Medicine
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) administers certification tests specifically for practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Oriental Medicine. Prior to 2005, practitioners received the Dipl. Ac. and/or Dipl. C.H. titles separately upon passing the respective sections of this exam.
As of 2005, the exam now offers 5 modules: Foundational Theory, Acupuncture, Point Location, Chinese Herbology and Biomedicine. If practitioners choose to only practice Acupuncture (and not Chinese Herbology), the 3 modules specific to Acupuncture (Foundational Theory, Acupuncture, and Point Location), as well as the Biomedicine module, must be passed in order to receive the title of “Diplomate in Acupuncture (Dipl. Ac.).”
If practitioners choose to only practice Chinese Herbology, or to practice this in conjunction with Acupuncture, the single Chinese Herbology module must be passed.
As mentioned above, some states do not regulate the practice of or who can perform acupuncture, and thus, practitioners who may not have the proper credentials may still practice acupuncture in these states. Further, Herbal Medicine is an integral part of TCM training programs in most states. Here, state regulations also vary: some states require a practitioner to only have a Dipl. Ac. (and not the Dipl. C.H.) and still be able to practice both Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology.
Dipl. OM = Diplomate in Oriental Medicine
The Diplomate in Oriental Medicine is the newest title issued by the NCCAOM. As mentioned above, in 2005 the NCCAOM began issuing the title of “Diplomate in Oriental Medicine” to those who passed all 5 modules: Foundational Theory, Acupuncture, Point Location, Chinese Herbology, and Biomedicine.
Prior to 2005, this title was not offered to practitioners and separate titles of Dipl. Ac. and Dipl. C.H. were given. One particular title is not necessarily better than the other. As always, it is important to do the proper research in choosing a practitioner and to ensure that one’s credentials parallel the services provided.
M.A.O.M (or M.Ac.O.M) = Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Becoming an acupuncturist entails completing a 3 to 4 year graduate program from a school accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). Upon completion, there are various versions of the same “Master” title that is issued, such as MAOM (Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), MSOM (Master of Science of Oriental Medicine), or MTCM (Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine), to name a few.
Some accredited schools will issue a graduate level Diploma of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine instead of a Masters Degree following the completion of a similar program.
*Please note that there are some organizations that will offer a Diploma to current medical professionals (physicians, chiropractors, nurses, dentists, etc) after only completing 100 hours of Acupuncture training! These “courses,” or sometimes called “weekend courses,” allow a medical professional to include Acupuncture in their practice. Obviously, one hundred hours is not comparable to the training an individual receives from a 4-year (approximately 3000 hours) program from an accredited school!
NCCAOM = The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
This is the primary National certifying entity for Acupuncturists, Chinese Herbalists, and Asian Body-worker therapists in the United States. NCCAOM certification signifies that the practitioner has met nationally recognized standards of competence and safety. The NCCAOM not only gives Board exams, which must be passed in order to receive certification, but also requires practitioners to acquire 60 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) [also known as Professional Development Activity (PDAs)] for recertification every four years.
CCAOM = Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
This entity was established to advance acupuncture and Oriental Medicine by promoting educational excellence within the field. You may frequently see the CCAOM as awarding Clean Needle Technique (CNT) Certification to practitioners. Typically, a student at a TCM school must pass the CNT exam&mdas;in order to prove understanding and proficiency of safety standards in the application, storage, and disposal of acupuncture needles—before practicing as an intern in the Student Clinic. This exam is required in order to receive NCCAOM Diplomate Certification.
AOBTA® = Americal Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia™
This is a professional membership organization representing instructors, practitioners, schools & programs, and students of Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT). In order to become a member, one must complete the necessary coursework in a particular style of Asian bodywork, as well as foundational Oriental Medical training.
Did these definitions help or confuse matters? This is only a general list of the common terms used in the field, but hopefully this helps you to feel more comfortable when reading about acupuncture, herbs and practitioners.
Convenient location of the clinic
The Classical True Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine clinic is conveniently located in South Denver, Colorado (Centennial), minutes from Aurora, Castle Rock, Cherry Hills Village, DTC, Denver Tech Center, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Lone Tree, and Parker, Colorado.
Return to the Acupuncture home page.
Do I need both acupuncture and herbs?
It is common, even standard, for TCM practitioners to prescribe an herbal formula in conjunction with an acupuncture treatment. There is, however, a time and place for Herbal Medicine.
In the philosophy of Classical True Acupuncture, acupuncture outweighs herbal therapy as a treatment method—yet, there are instances where herbal therapy may precede acupuncture. Rarely will we give you both Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy together, at least not initially, for this blurs the boundaries in distinguishing which treatment method yielded effects.
When we do acupuncture, we want to know exactly what the acupuncture treatment did for you; when we give herbs, we want to know exactly what that particular herbal formula did for you. Otherwise, how could we accurately adjust subsequent treatments for a patient if we are not clear about whether the acupuncture or the herbs led to a particular outcome?
Isn’t all acupuncture the same?
No, no, and no! Unfortunately all acupuncture is not created equal. Simply sticking a needle into the skin is not acupuncture, yet many practitioners of acupuncture (or other medical professionals who claim to do acupuncture) do exactly that—they spend little to no time locating true acupoints and often have no idea of what they are looking for in order to find a true acupoint. Haphazardly “slapping” in needles cannot be considered acupuncture and it is every acupuncturist’s duty to safeguard the public against such practitioners. Please be aware of how your acupuncturist practices. If they use the same points over and over in every treatment, quickly “pop” in needles with little to no regard to the pulses and acupoint location, and are out of the room in “60 seconds,” then please re-evaluate your relationship with that practitioner. Unfortunately, in many states acupuncture can be practiced by other health care practitioners with little to no training, as in Colorado. Please be aware of this and choose your acupuncturist wisely.
How painful is acupuncture, really?
Acupuncture utilizes very thin solid needles (filiform needles), as compared to hypodermic needles (those found in syringes). While hypodermic needles are slanted and hollow, thus enabling the needle to pierce through the skin to draw blood or inject substances, filiform needles will slide into place and are not meant to cut the skin, and little to no blood is found after removing an acupuncture needle.
Nonetheless, acupuncture needles can cause a great deal of pain if inserted haphazardly. A skilled
practitioner who takes the time to locate the actual center of a true acupuncture point, however, will often be able to insert the needle with little to no pain. Furthermore, Classical True Acupuncture practitioners utilize very few needles during a treatment.
For patients who don’t like or are afraid of needles, this dislike or fear can actually be treated and removed with an unique Energy Psychology technique so that the acupuncture sessions with Fuyiu are more enjoyable. Thus, it is unnecessary to worry about the needles as only a few are used, time is taken to locate the center of the acupuncture point where there is little to no pain, and we can always treat you for any fears that you may have of needles.
Convenient Location
The Classical True Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine clinic is conveniently located in South Denver, Colorado (Centennial), minutes from Aurora, Castle Rock, Cherry Hills Village, DTC, Denver Tech Center, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Lone Tree, and Parker, Colorado.
Return to the Acupuncture home page.
Can children have acupuncture?
It depends on the child’s age. The younger the child, the more applicable acupressure is over acupuncture. Since the True Acupuncture practitioner will typically use only one needle on a younger person, and depending on their condition, Classical True Acupuncture is very applicable for children. With that in mind, each child is assessed as to whether or not acupuncture, acupressure, or herbs would be the most appropriate form of treatment.
What should I do after a treatment session?
Many acupuncturist warn patients that after an acupuncture, treatment they may feel what’s called an “acupuncture high.” This is often a sensation that can be similar to an alcohol buzz, feeling light-headed, or groggy. With Classical True Acupuncture, this is rarely seen.
After your session with Classical True Acupuncture, you should be clear headed, feel more balanced and have good focus. What actually takes place when patients get an “acupuncture high” is a sedation of the cerebral cortex or the result of moving so much energy very quickly (scattering the energy), although this is rarely understood. In fact, many patients and practitioners have come to expect this as a normal or even beneficial outcome. After Classical True Acupuncture sessions, there is no need to worry about what you should or should not do after a treatment and you should be fine to go about your day as planned.
Does health insurance cover acupuncture?
While the majority of health care plans do not currently cover acupuncture, a surprising number do. Please check with your provider to see if acupuncture treatments are covered. While we do not bill insurance companies directly, we will provide you with an extra copy of the receipt upon request, which can then be submitted with your claim form to your insurance company or other health expense provider for reimbursement.
Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts and other similar programs include acupuncture as a “medically necessary” expense, and we will be happy to provide you a receipt for your records.
Are acupuncture and Chinese herbs safe?
Acupuncture & herbs used for thousands of years
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have been used for thousands of years by billions of people throughout Asia. Today, acupuncture and Chinese herbology remains a primary form of health care, along side Western Medicine, in China. As Oriental Medicine gains popularity in the United States, more and more people have found that acupuncture and Chinese herbology provide safe and natural remedies for numerous conditions, as well as health maintenance and disease prevention. In fact, in the 1997 Consensus Conference on Acupuncture Statement, the NIH estimated that more than 1 million Americans receive acupuncture each year.
The risks involved in acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy are extremely low, if performed by a practitioner who has the necessary and appropriate credentials. According to the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM), only ten incidents of injury resulting from acupuncture have been reported since 1965, when records began being kept in the United States (fact sheet).
As for Chinese Herbal Medicine, the quality of Chinese herbs varies greatly, thus, the safety for the end user varies. As a result, the herbs we use have been carefully and meticulously chosen from reputable herbal companies who grow their herbs without pesticides or GMO’s, are tested for micro-levels of mold and heavy metals, and are cured naturally without sulfites. (Sulfites are used as a preservative; it appears difficult to avoid sulfites altogether, for some herbs will spoil too quickly without some sort of preservative, but we try our best to avoid it when possible). We want you to feel comfortable in knowing that the herbs you ingest are safe and pure.
*Note: If you have or are taking herbal medicines in a pill, capsule, or tablet form, only use herbs from manufacturers who are cited as having Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure that the herbs you are taking are of the highest potency, quality and safety.
What should I expect during an acupuncture treatment?
Initial Acupuncture & Herbal Treatment
The initial treatment often takes one and a half hours, as we will discuss your health history and health concerns in detail. There is a detailed Health History Questionnaire that you must fill out (see “Forms”) prior to your first visit. Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your initial visit in order to fill out the necessary forms at the office if you have not downloaded and done so beforehand.
Once an understanding of your health history is obtained, a detailed evaluation of your systems via the radial pulses will be performed in order to understand the energetic imbalances that are contributing to your current state of health. “Feeling the radial pulses” in Classical True Acupuncture is quite different from pulse taking in Western Medicine, TCM, and other styles of acupuncture, for it is the primary diagnostic tool.
In order to find the appropriate points to needle, the practitioner will palpate points on your body while feeling the radial pulses at the same time. While this takes some time, it ensures that every point used “counts” and elicits a beneficial energetic response in your system. Again, only a few points will be needled.
After the needles have been inserted, you will continue to relax on the massage table for 15-30 minutes, depending on the individual. The practitioner will continue to check your pulses and remove the needles accordingly.
If you require an herbal formulation, it will be filled for you during session.
Please allot one hour for subsequent treatment sessions. If during a follow up treatment, a Classical True Acupuncture practitioner feels that you do not need to be needled at that time, your evaluation may take no more than 20 minutes. Please read FAQ: “How often do I need treatments?” to understand the philosophy behind this type of treatment process.
Convenient location of the clinic
The Classical True Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine clinic is conveniently located in South Denver, Colorado (Centennial), minutes from Aurora, Castle Rock, Cherry Hills Village, DTC, Denver Tech Center, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Lone Tree, and Parker, Colorado.
Are acupuncture & herbal medicine subject to any state or federal regulations?
National Certification
At the national level, The National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) is the only certifying entity for Acupuncturists, Chinese Herbalists and Asian Bodywork therapists in the United States. NCCAOM certification signifies that the practitioner has met nationally recognized standards of competence and safety. The completion of NCCAOM Board exams results in a Diplomate status in Acupuncture (Dipl.Ac.), Chinese Herbology (Dipl.C.H.), Oriental Medicine (Dipl.O.M.), or Bodywork Therapy (Dipl.A.B.T.)
State Licensing
Currently, state regulations for Acupuncturists and Chinese Herbologists vary from state to state. In order for an individual to receive the “Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.)” title in Colorado, the individual must be certified by the NCCAOM in 4 out of the 5 exam modules (the Chinese Herbology module is not required to practice acupuncture and herbology in the state of Colorado). NCCAOM certification includes having graduated from an accredited Oriental Medical institution and passing the Clean Needle Technique (CNT) exam.
What are the training and licensing requirements for Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Ac.)?
Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Ac.) have extensive training, more than what most people realize. Most private institutions in the United States offer 3-4 year programs that result in a Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine (there are numerous designations for this type of degree). This training includes thousands of hours of combined theory, practicums, and clinical internship.
At this time, licensing for acupuncturists and Chinese herbalists vary from state to state (Colorado), so make sure you’re familiar with your state’s regulations when you’re choosing an acupuncturist. We don’t expect you to figure all this out on your own, so visit “How do I choose an acupuncturist and herbalist?” to guide you through this process. After all, we want you to make an educated and informed choice about the practitioner who will help you in your health care.
How long will treatments take?
The initial treatment often takes one and a half hours, as we will discuss your health history and health concerns in detail. There is a detailed Health History Questionnaire that you must fill out (see “Forms”) prior to your first visit. You may also arrive 20 minutes prior to your initial visit and fill out the forms at the office.
Please allot one hour for subsequent treatment sessions. If during a follow up treatment, a Classical True Acupuncture practitioner feels that you do not need to be needled at that time, your evaluation may take no more than 20 minutes. Please read FAQ: “How often do I need treatments?” to understand the philosophy behind this type of treatment process.
How often do I need treatments?
This is a very common question. Americans have become accustomed to taking drugs and having a set duration in which the treatment is to take place. Acupuncture, however, is a functional medicine. This means that it directly affects the functions of the systems, thus restoring hyper and hypo-functions to normalcy. Depending on the condition and each unique individual, a resolution can come about very quickly or slowly. It is because of this unique nature of acupuncture that you will often be asked to return for an evaluation to see how you are responding to the treatment.
It is often the case that a week after a treatment, the body systems will still be responding to the treatment and a second treatment at that time would be detrimental. This is quite different from many of the current treatment practices in which acupuncture is required three or more times per week in order to achieve results; we have found this unnecessary.
With Classical True Acupuncture, we see progressive results after treatments—effects increase over a week to a month’s time, instead of the “typical” pattern where the effects may decrease soon after the treatment. Numerous needles used in other styles of acupuncture often move a large amount of energy in a short period of time and can mimic a “feeling good” response, but this effect may not last. It is for these reasons that aTrue Acupuncturist needs to re-evaluate patients on a regular basis, especially when treatments first begin. (An evaluation is not considered, nor charged as, a treatment). Your progress and how your body responds is carefully monitored; our goal is to do the LEAST number of treatments and maximize the effects of each treatment, while giving the body the appropriate time to respond. We have seen that a week between treatments is often the minimum time required for the body to respond appropriately to the needle; needling sooner is rarely beneficial and usually patients progress to being treated only monthly or less. Classical True Acupuncture is not about getting a patient to return as often as possible—it is about maximizing therapeutic effects with the patient’s best interest in mind.
Convenient Location
The Classical True Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine clinic is conveniently located in South Denver, Colorado (Centennial), minutes from Aurora, Castle Rock, Cherry Hills Village, DTC, Denver Tech Center, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Lone Tree, and Parker, Colorado.
Return to the Acupuncture home page.
How quickly should I expect results?
You should expect results with every treatment! While each individual responds uniquely and there may be times when treatments could cause symptoms to flare, you should expect to see some effects with each treatment and a noticeable benefit within three treatments. Sometimes, if you are not seeing results, the possibility of a more complicated or serious problem unknown to you and your acupuncturist may exist, which acupuncture may not be able to treat. Or, you may need to try a different acupuncturist. Furthermore, a sign of an ethical acupuncturist is to acknowledge his/her limitations, inform the patient when the case is beyond his/her realm of expertise, and refer the patient to another practitioner. It does not benefit anyone to continue care when results are not obtained.
How should I prepare for treatment sessions?
It is recommended that you eat a moderate amount of food one to one and a half hours before your acupuncture appointment.
Please dress comfortably or wear loose clothing so that your arms and legs may be accessible. If we need to have access to your back or other areas that require the removal of clothes, we will drape you appropriately with a sheet.
Whenever possible, please arrange your schedule so that you do not have to rush to or away from the clinic.
Feel free to ask any questions that may arise during your treatment. It is important that you feel informed and understand your own health.
What should I wear to an acupuncture treatment?
Please dress comfortably for your acupuncture treatment or wear loose clothing so that your arms and legs may be accessible. If we need to have access to your back or other areas that require the removal of clothes, we will drape you appropriately with a sheet.
- What other therapies are offered?
- What conditions can acupuncture treat?
- What are the different styles of acupuncture?
- How does acupuncture work?
- How do I choose an acupuncturist or herbalist?
- Do I need both acupuncture and herbs?
- Isn’t all acupuncture the same?
- How painful is acupuncture, really?
- Can children have acupuncture?
- What should I do after a treatment session?
- Does health insurance cover acupuncture?
- Are acupuncture and Chinese herbs safe?
- What should I expect during an acupuncture treatment?
- Are acupuncture & herbal medicine subject to any state or federal regulations?
- What are the training and licensing requirements for Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Ac.)?
- How long will treatments take?
- How often do I need treatments?
- How quickly should I expect results?
- How should I prepare for treatment sessions?
- What should I wear to an acupuncture treatment?
- Are there “secret” acupuncture points?
- How much do treatments cost, what are your hours, and where are you located?


