Can I combine my treatments at Dr. Lu’s office with western medicine?
Yes! Patients elect to see Dr. Lu for preventive health, integrative health or when nothing else has helped them. Many patients are referred to Dr. Lu by their primary care physician, or someone on their healthcare team. Acupuncture is extremely compatible with western medical therapies and can be a wonderful way to complement your current treatments. Herbal treatments can also accompany traditional Western medicine provided that they are compatible. We encourage you to have open dialogue about your care at Dr. Lu’s office with your primary care physician. Dr. Lu works professionally with many allopathic physicians in the area, thus enabling many of his patients to have optimal health.
How long will it take to see results?
Some patients experience immediate alleviation with the first treatment, however every person responds uniquely and each condition is treated individually. The frequency and duration of your visits vary according to the nature of the health concerns. Additionally, many factors contribute to your progress including lifestyle considerations such as diet, sleep and stress levels, your general health and past health history, as well as whether your concerns are of an acute or chronic nature. Usually, a series of treatments or herbal tea are necessary to resolve a condition. Once Dr. Lu determines your health needs, he will design an individualized protocol for you to address your health concerns.
What is the frequency of treatment?
Weekly treatments are commonly recommended when first beginning under care. Depending on how readily a patient responds to treatment, frequency will be graduated to every 10 days or 2 weeks, and subsequently to monthly visits. Once a stable state of health has been achieved, Dr. Lu may suggest a self care routine for you to maintain your health, and recommend that you come in to see him periodically for a wellness check up.
Can children be treated?
Yes! Children respond very well to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Children who are apprehensive about acupuncture can be treated without needles using acupressure, gua sha or cupping. Dietary guidance and gentle herbal formulas can be used. In our practice, we also teach parents acupressure massages that they can do at home with their children to promote general wellness and/or address specific health concerns.
Is acupuncture safe? Are there any side effects?
Yes! Acupuncture is considered to be very safe when performed by a properly trained practitioner. Not only is it safe, it works! The most common side effect of acupuncture is minor bruising or irritation at the insertion site of the needles. This will generally resolve quickly. In very rare instances, there have been reports of needle breaks, organ puncture, or fainting. Some people will feel a little light-headed or tired after treatments, but this too will be temporary, and usually only occurs in the first few treatments.
What is the difference between cupping and acupuncture?
With acupuncture and cupping the goal is the same; to unblock and regulate the flow of qi in an acupuncture point. When the qi in the channels is flowing freely, the organs and systems can function properly, and an improved state of health can be realized. Cupping is considered to be more yin by nature, acupuncture is considered to by more yang by nature. While cupping has more of a detoxifying effect on the body than acupuncture, both techniques are immuno-regulatory.
Why are some of the marks left by the cupping pink, red or purple?
The color of the marks left by cupping is representative of the stagnation present in the point. In TCM, blockages to acupuncture points are caused by qi and/or blood stagnation. Cupping works to clear these blockages. The darker the points are after cupping, the more they are benefiting from treatment! Over time as the points are cupped therapeutically, the darkness of the marks will diminish significantly. This represents an objective sign of improvement; a lessening of qi and blood stagnation.
Are cupping blisters harmful?
In some cases, clear or yellowish colored blisters may result from cupping. Though these blisters may look painful and worrisome, they are quite easy to treat and typically will resolve after a few days. Blisters are formed as a result of excess amounts of toxins and fluid build up in the body. A study conducted by the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that fluid contained in cupping blisters had several proteins which relate to the activation of immune pathways and tissue repair. As blisters can be sensitive, we do our best to manage the intensity and duration of cupping so as to regulate the healing process while ensuring efficacy of treatment.
Some of my treatments begin with a foot soak in hot water. Why is this?
Some of our procedures include foot reflexology. At the beginning of these treatments we start with a foot soak. Soaking the feet in water for 5-10 minutes warms, softens and opens up the acupuncture points and the 6 meridian lines of the feet, readying them for thorough treatment. Soaking the feet in hot water is also detoxifying to the body, as toxins are able to leave the body through the feet.
