Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does a treatment entail?
You will first be diagnosed to determine what is going on that is producing your chief complaint. The actual treatment follows the intake and diagnosis, and can consist of any combination of acupuncture, Chinese massage, cupping, Gua Sha, and moxibustion. You may also be prescribed herbs to take that will enhance the healing effect. Other recommendations including diet may also be made as part of the whole treatment plan.

2. How long is each treatment?
The whole process from intake to treatment typically takes about 1 hour.

3. Does acupuncture hurt?
Generally, acupuncture does not hurt, but you may experience some minor sensation as the needles enter the skin. In addition, there may be an aching feeling as the effect starts happening and Qi starts beginning to move. Though not likely, some bruises may sometimes occur, although these will disappear within a few days.

4. What should I wear to an acupuncture treatment?
Going to get treated by an Acupuncturist is no different from going to see a Western doctor. So, pretty much what you would wear to see a Western physician is appropriate.

5. Do you take insurance?
Currently, we do not take insurance. However, depending on the insurance carrier, some patients have successfully submitted their receipts to their insurance providers and obtained reimbursement for their treatments.

6. Do you take credit cards?
We do take credit cards, but prefer check or cash. However, we do not take American Express card.

7. Do you have evening and weekend hours?
Right now, clinic hours are during the day, late afternoon, and into the evening. Other times, including weekends, may be available, but on an appointment basis only.

8. I am interested in Cosmetic Acupuncture. How many treatments are typically needed?
The anti-aging program, as described in the section on Cosmetic Acupuncture, is a 2-part process. The 2nd part which involves acupuncture facelifts require approximately 10 treatments to see good results. The number of treatments required in the 1st part which involves balancing the body depends on the condition the body is in and how out-of-balance the person's energy is.

9. Where are your clinic locations?
The Chinese Medical Solutions Healing Center is currently at two convenient locations - one in Lakewood Ranch and one in Sarasota. Click here for more information.

10. How long does it usually take before I see results?
It depends on the condition. Usually one would start seeing results in as little as two treatments, but this entirely depends on the individual. Generally, the more chronic the condition or ailment, the longer the treatment is needed before results will show.

11. Should I do any preparations before coming to an acupuncture treatment?
Yes. You should have eaten prior to coming to a treatment. But don't overindulge or eat too much; just eat lightly, and you will get the best results from the treatment. Wear loose clothing if possible to the treatment.

12. What can acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture (and Chinese Medicine as a whole) can treat a wide variety of disorders, including digestive ones, bronchitis, infertility, pain (neck, shoulder, back, knee), eye problems, hearing problems, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and gynecological issues. It is also effective for Multiple Sclerosis, cancer care, Bells Palsey, stroke care, high blood pressure, hypertension, trauma, and skin disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed over 100 ailments that acupuncture has been found to be effective against. To read more, click here.

13. How does Chinese Medicine work?
Traditional Chinese Medicine focuses on the whole body instead of its parts. When making a diagnosis, a doctor of traditional Chinese Medicine is concerned with the whole person. The focus is on physical and psychological wholeness as key indicators of health and disease. Included in the procedure are questioning the patient, making tongue and pulse diagnosis, coupled with itemizing current symptoms and recording a detailed history. This procedure allows the doctor to piece together the patterns of imbalance, which are used to formulate a diagnosis and recommend treatment specific to the individual patient. Traditional Chinese Medicine is not aimed at relieving symptoms on a piecemeal basis, but rather, it focuses on the whole, and directs its attention to treating the underlying cause of the disease and returning the body to its balanced and harmonious state.

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