Question 1

What Is Qi?

Accepted Answer

Watch these videos for more informtion on Qi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGErp_1sktA(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGErp_1sktA)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxmxr0OlpNs(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxmxr0OlpNs)

Question 2

What are acupuncture points ?

Accepted Answer

Watch this video to learn more about acupuncture points:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwld-cdlwyo(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwld-cdlwyo)

Question 3

How does Acupuncture Works?

Accepted Answer

Watch this video to learn more about how acupuncture works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhhdmahBQU8(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhhdmahBQU8)

Question 4

How to prepare for my first visit and what to Expect?

Accepted Answer

Please plan on coming few minutes earlier, give extra time for filling out electronic
documents in case you did not get a chance to do so before your appointment.
Wear loose and comfy cloths that facilitate access to above the knees and elbows,
but do not worry if you could not, as we have sheets that can cover you up if
needed.
It is always better to keep your stomach happy before treatment, if you were
working all day and didn't have the chance to eat, we provide some light healthy
snacks bars.

Question 5

What to expect on my first visit and after Acupuncture Treatment?

Accepted Answer

Upon booking your first visit with us, you will receive a link to complete our
online intake forms. Please complete and sign these form before coming in for
your first appointment.
Also before each appointment, you will receive a link for COVID screening. This
screening is required before every visit. Upon your arrival, a temperature check
will be performed as well.
Please wear a mask. If you do not bring one, we will provide one for you.
Your practitioner will bring you directly to your treatment room, and will begin
your session with a more in depth intake, where your practitioner explains to you
your patterns and how Chinese medicine works, answer all your questions, then
performing a full treatment.
After the treatment, most people feel calm and relaxed, some might feel a bit
disoriented or tired , in both cases it is good to give yourself sometimes to rest after
the treatment.
It is very common after the first treatment, especially for musculoskeletal cases to
feel sore, or feel emotional releases or any kind of reactions.
Its all good and normal. It is called Healing reactions, its part of re-directing the
body’s energy to a new homeostatic state and help it to discharge toxins and wastes
that have been accumulating for a long time.
All those manifestations should disappear within a day to two days after the
treatment.
Bruising is also very common with acupuncture, some people bruise easier than
others, and we as practitioners take this as sign that guides us to give more focus
on certain organs of the body. And as treatments progress, the bruising will
decrease.

Question 6

What is Light Therapy?

Accepted Answer

We often use Light therapy as an alternative modality to acupuncture for people
who are sensitive to Needles.
Light Therapy harnesses the healing power of red and infrared light. At specific
wavelengths and frequencies, it has been shown to be effective in accelerating
natural healing, reducing swelling and inflammation, stimulating the immune
system and relieving pain. Cells that are injured can actually be rejuvenated by
light.
Light therapy has a number of important benefits at the cellular metabolic level and
at the larger level .. it increases ATP production, it assists the mitochondria
Andreea and all of its metabolic processes it also increases circulation so that you
can speed healing remove debris it’s an excellent tool to use for wound healing for
anything that needs extra help a tool for a couple reasons.
Depending on the wavelength used , visible red light therapy can very beneficial
in treating problems close to the surface such as wounds, cuts, scars, trigger points
and acupuncture points, and is particularly effective in treating infections,
While Infrared light therapy penetrates deeper which makes it more effective for
bones, joints, deep muscles pains, bursa, etc. When infrared light is administered, it
reduces sensitivity of neural pathways and causes the body to release endorphins
that provide a nontoxic, natural form of pain relief.

Question 7

How long is an acupuncture treatment?

Accepted Answer

First visit usually takes 90 min, a follow up visit is 60 min. Please give yourself
extra 15 min.

Question 8

How many treatments do I need?

Accepted Answer

Acupuncture has a cumulative effect, so the number of treatments required has a
lot to do with what each person’s health history and the severity of symptoms.
Just like when you take an anti-Biotic course , you cannot stop it in the middle of
the course because your fever went down or you feel better, you need to finish up
the whole course of treatment. The same concept applies to acupuncture, in order
to get the desired effect, a full course of treatment has to be achieved. And the
more chronic the condition is the more consistent treatments we need . Generally
speaking, a first course of treatment usually has to be 8-12 treatments twice a week
(if not sever, once a week is acceptable), as relief is achieved, treatments can be
gradually spread out. Each case should be discussed on an individual basis with the
practitioner.

Question 9

Can I still do Acupuncture even if I have no health issues?

Accepted Answer

YES, ABSOLUTELY!
As we are living in these times of stress, pollutions, non ideal health conditions, we
are always prone to imbalances . This medicine is designed to be a
PROPHYLACTIC medicine, which corrects your imbalances before they become
problematic.
We do encourage everyone to do regular acupuncture as a way of staying well and
caring for the body.

Question 10

Do I have to do acupuncture forever for my condition?

Accepted Answer

YES ! once we address the original problem, we need to maintain our health intact.
As we are living in these times of stress, pollutions, non ideal health conditions, we are always prone to imbalances .
This medicine is designed to be a PROPHYLACTIC medicine, which corrects your imbalances before they become problematic.
We do encourage everyone to do regular acupuncture as a way of staying well and caring for the body.
In general, the frequency of maintenance treatments after reaching a stable balanced state ranges from once every 2-4 weeks.

Question 11

What should I do after you put in the needles?

Accepted Answer

Listen to the music, nap, meditate or just relax !

Question 12

What is Cupping?

Accepted Answer

Cupping is applying suction on the skin using glass or pump cups. This negative
pressure improves blood and fluid circulation, mobilizes muscle, sinew and fascia,
giving some breathing room to adhesions, helps bringing more blood flow to scars
and diminish their rough look. By bringing more blood flow to the area , we aid in
dredging the lymphatic system, improve skin tone, and break up cellulite.
It is very common to see marks after cupping. Those marks are generally described
as perfectly round bruises, They are considered a release of stagnations and built-
ups. People who have more congestion, poor blood circulation, will have more
marks with darker color, and the more cupping is done , the less we see of these
marks.

Question 13

What is Gua Sha ?

Accepted Answer

Gua Sha is a round - edged stone that is used by scraping the skin in strokes, with
pressured.
This process extravagates blood and metabolic waste congesting the surface tissues and
muscles, promoting normal circulation and metabolic processes. By resolving fluid and
blood stasis, Gua Sha is valuable in the treatment of pain, in the prevention and treatment
of acute infectious illness, upper respiratory and digestive problems, and many acute or
chronic disorders.

Question 14

What is Electro-Acupuncture?

Accepted Answer

Electro-Acupuncture is similar in concept to a TENS machine that Physical Therapists
use. It sends low frequency electrical impulses through electrodes placed at specific
points on the body. The impulses can be sent continuously or intermittently, depending on
the patient's condition.
Although the patient feels only a tingling sensation, Electro Acupuncture has been shown
to be an effective and safe method for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, through
stimulating: nerve regeneration, bone growth and bone matrix healing, capillary
formation , natural endorphins release, and stimulating blood flow to the area treated
which means bringing more oxygen and nutrients to that area and promote faster healing.

Question 15

What is Moxa and Moxibustion?

Accepted Answer

Moxa is mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris, Ai Ye) an invasive weed, which grows in
many climates, including Western North Carolina. Mugwort has a long history of
use in folk medicine. It is believed that the Romans planted mugwort by roadsides
to make it available to travelers to put in their shoes to relieve aching feet and
protect them from exhaustion. Maybe this is because of its ability to enhance the
movement of qi and blood.
Mugwort gets its botanical name from the Greek moon goddess Artemis, a patron
of women, and is a wonderful herb for gynecological conditions. In Chinese
Herbal Medicine it is used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding and uterine bleeding
and to increase blood circulation to the pelvic area to treat menstrual pain.
Moxibustion (applying heat near the skin) has successfully been used to turn
breech babies into a normal head-down position before childbirth.
Any type of heat applied to the body can increase the flow of qi and blood. Heat
lamps, heating pads, or warming liniments can give a similar effect to moxibustion.
But the heat combined with the powerful healing properties of mugwort gives
moxibustion a proven advantage.
Mugwort is used because of its acrid, spicy odor which makes it able to travel
through all of the meridians, regulate qi and blood, and expel cold. One of
mugwort’s active components, borneol, is commonly used in topical therapies for
its analgesic effects.
What is moxibustion used for?
Moxibustion can be used to prevent diseases and maintain health as part of
tonification treatments to help strengthen the organs and immune system. It warms
the meridians and expels cold. It can be used to promote circulation over areas of
chronic pain or muscle tension. It is especially used for pain that is worse with
exposure to cold or damp weather, as with some types of arthritis pain. When
applied to acupuncture points that strengthen and lift the qi, moxibustion can boost
the immune system and help with fatigue, digestive issues, and much more.
There are many uses for moxa but there are some instances where it should be
avoided. Talk to your Chinese Medicine practitioner to see if mugwort is right for
you.

Question 16

What do Herbs do? Are Herbs safe?

Accepted Answer

Herbs are food grade plants parts that are prescribed with a focus of restoring
balance by nourishing the body and resolving pathological patterns in a well
designed and anciently practiced methodology.
Herbs are generally gentle and natural and therefore often require a few days to
demonstrate their full effect. Chinese herbal remedies may be prescribed in raw
form, granules, powders, concentrated capsules, or tea pills.
When herbs are prescribed by a well-trained and well-educated practitioner,
Chinese herbs are very effective and safe. Careful attention is always paid to
dosage, combination of herbs, as well as any known drug-herb interactions. At
Guan Yin Healing Home, we only prescribe herbal medicines that come from
companies who abide by GMP practices.

Question 17

Do you accept Insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes we do, we accept:
Optum/United Health Care, BlueCross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim, Tivity, Always, Tufts.

Please make sure to verify your insurance coverage BEFORE your appointment. If your coverage is not verified you will have to make the full payments of your visits until your coverage is verified.

Some insurance companies are now covering acupuncture sessions only for pain conditions. It is important to check with your policy on your specific coverage.

If you have insurance that covers acupuncture and we are an out-of-network provider, we will be happy to give you a payment receipt with an acupuncture procedure code to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

However, remember not all acupuncture benefits are guaranteed for coverage. It is important to know that although you may have benefits, your insurance may not choose to cover services. If this is the case, it is your responsibility to pay the remaining balances as we mentioned above.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS