Location

Northbrook, Illinois
900 Skokie Blvd.
Suite 140
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
Phone: (847) 272-8120
more...

Acupuncture/Herbs FAQ


What is Chinese Medicine?
Are Chinese Herbs safe?
Does acupuncture hurt?
What are the needles like?
Are the needles sterile?
How many treatments will I need?
What should I expect during an acupuncture treatment?
How should I prepare for an acupuncture treatment?
What do the initials after the acupuncturist’s name stand for and what type of training is involved?
Will insurance cover my acupuncture visits?

What is Chinese Medicine?
Chinese Medicine is a holistic medical system that dates back over 2,500 years. The two primary branches of Chinese Medicine are Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs. Other aspects of Chinese Medicine include cupping, gua sha, nutrition, moxibustion, and body work. The fundamental idea behind Chinese Medicine is that Qi, or vital energy, runs through the body in a system of channels or meridians. Chinese Medicine is meant to maintain health as well as treat a variety of disorders. As it is a holistic system, the ultimate goal is to restore balance to the body and treat the root of a disorder, rather than treating only the symptoms.

Are Chinese Herbs safe?
Chinese Herbal Medicine has been used successfully for thousands of years. If used improperly, herbs can be dangerous, just as prescription drugs or over the counter medications are hazardous when used incorrectly. Chinese Herbalists receive four years of training and are educated in the safe use of herbal medicines both as a standalone treatment and in the presence of western biomedical drugs. Our integrative training includes training in pharmacology, physiology, and biochemistry, as well as traditional uses and modern understandings of Chinese herbs. We only use reputable herbal companies who import high quality herbal granules that have been produced under the strict US standards for good manufacturing practices (GMP), and have been tested for purity, potency, and safety. It is important to note, that you, as the patient, need to inform us of all medications and supplements you are taking so that we can design a formula with no known herb-drug interactions. That being said, many Chinese herbs are actually food and consist of different berries, roots, barks, leaves, and flowers. It is likely that you unknowingly consume Chinese herbs in your everyday diet. Today, they are most commonly found in granular, tea, and pill form.

Does acupuncture hurt?
No! Acupuncture does not hurt. The patient should feel a variety of sensations during the session, but pain is not one of them. A feeling of heaviness, electricity, dullness, achiness, warmth, fullness, pressure, tingling, or movement throughout the body are all very good signs that indicate that the needle has made contact with the Qi. After an acupuncture treatment most people feel a deep sense of relaxation. Our goal is to provide each patient with the most effective yet comfortable treatment possible.

What are the needles like?
They differ greatly from hypodermic needles which are thick and hollow so that they can transmit medication or withdraw fluids. Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, only as thick as a coarse hair. They are flexible and are made of a solid stainless steel core. Acupuncture needles are classified as medical devices and are regulated by the FDA.

Are the needles sterile?
We only use sterile, stainless steel, single-use needles of the highest quality. The needles are disposed of immediately after each session. New needles are used for each and every treatment.

How many treatments will I need?
The number and frequency of treatments varies from person to person as everyone responds differently to acupuncture. The condition being treated largely determines the number of treatments that will be necessary. Acute conditions tend to respond more quickly to acupuncture and may only require 1 to 4 treatments. Chronic disorders that have been developing for months or even years generally take longer to resolve and make take several months to treat.

What should I expect during an acupuncture treatment?
At your initial appointment, you will undergo a detailed consultation where you will be asked a series of questions regarding your chief complaint, symptoms you are experiencing, as well as questions about your lifestyle in general. After this, we will feel your wrists to assess your pulse and then examine your tongue. Chinese Medicine uses a collaborative system of tongue and pulse diagnosis paired with your signs, symptoms and medical history to determine your Chinese medical diagnosis. As you relax on the table, very fine acupuncture needles are placed at specific points that are best suited to treat your individual condition. New patients are often surprised at how deeply relaxed they are during and after their acupuncture treatment. Initial treatments generally last 60-90 minutes and follow up sessions are approximately 60 minutes.

How should I prepare for an acupuncture treatment?
In preparation for your acupuncture treatment, you should note that it is important to eat something in the three hour time span prior to your treatment. You should wear loose comfortable fitting clothing that easily rolls up past your knees and elbows, or bring shorts with you to your appointment. Don’t plan on engaging in any strenuous exercise for at least 3 hours after your treatment. The day of your appointment, don’t brush your tongue while brushing your teeth, as this interferes with tongue diagnosis.

What do the initials after the acupuncturist’s name stand for and what type of training is involved?
L.Ac. is what is most commonly seen after an acupuncturist’s name, as it is the abbreviation for Licensed Acupuncturist. Acupuncturists are licensed by the state, as well as nationally, by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). A nationally board certified acupuncturist completes four years of academic training at an accredited Oriental Medicine graduate program. Included in this extensive training is education in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Oriental medical theory, and Eastern and Western dietary therapy. Additionally, our program provided a complete integrative education that included many Western medical classes such as anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, and pathophysiology. More than 1,000 hours of clinical training is required in addition to the four years of academic training. The clinical hours are earned over a 3 year period in the school clinic. Student interns are afforded the opportunity to treat a wide variety of disorders and see several hundred patients. With graduation, students earn a Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine. At this point, they may now take the National Board Examinations. Successful completion of these examinations allows them to practice Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Will insurance cover my acupuncture visits?
Insurance companies in the Midwest are increasingly covering acupuncture. To find out if your plan covers acupuncture call them and be sure to get the answers to these questions:

  • Does my plan cover acupuncture?
  • Does my plan require me to have a referral from my primary care physician?
  • Am I only eligible for reimbursement if the provider is in network?
  • Is there a deductible on my plan? If so, how much is the deductible? How much of the deductible has been met this year?
  • Are there only specific diagnostic codes that are covered? If so, what are they?
  • If my plan covers acupuncture, will you send me a written confirmation of this or authorization?
  • Does my plan require a pre-authorization?
  • What is my plan’s maximum yearly allowance for acupuncture? Number of visits allowed? What percentage is covered?

If you find that your plan covers acupuncture we will be happy to provide you with a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company to get reimbursed. At this time, we are not able to provide insurance billing.