Frequently Asked Questions
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a system of health care the Chinese developed over 3000 years ago and is still a strong viable form of medicine today. The Chinese, through observations of how the body worked, paired with how we function with our environment; found that certain “points” in our body have different physiological effects. Using acupuncture needles, they not only alleviated the problems that ailed them but also maintained their overall health.
Today, acupuncture is growing in recognition in the modern world. Many people think of acupuncture for pain relief, but it can also be used to help many health conditions.
What can Acupuncture treat?
The World Health Organization recognizes the health benefits acupuncture provides and deems it to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems. Here are some examples of what acupuncture can do for you:
| Addiction (alcohol, drugs, smoking) |
Acne | Anxiety | Arthritis | Asthma |
| Back Pain | Bronchitis | Carpel Tunnel Syndrome | Chronic Fatigue | Colitis |
| Cold & Flu | Constipation | Dental Pain | Dermatological Problems | Digestive Troubles |
| Dizziness/Vertigo | Emotional Problems | Eye Problems | Facial Paralysis/Tics | Fatigue |
| Men’s & Women’s Infertility | Fibromyalgia | Headaches/Migraines | Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) | Menopause |
| Menstrual Problems | Nausea | Neck Pain | PMS | Pneumonia |
| Rhinitis/Sinusitis | Sciatica | Seasonal Affective Disorder | Shoulder Pain | Sleep Disturbances |
| Skin Problems | Stress | Urinary Tract Infections | Upper Respiratory Tract Infections |
Do the Acupuncture needles hurt?
When the acupuncture needles are inserted, you may feel a heaviness, dullness, tingling, or numbness. Some of my clients describe the sensation as moving, expanding, and even warming. That’s the energy or Qi (Chi) at work. Acupuncture should not be unpleasant and I will not continue treatment if you feel uncomfortable in any way.
Does an Acupuncturist re-use their needles?
No. Acupuncturists in New York do not re-use their needles. All needles are designed for one time use and they are disposed of after your session. All needles are sterile and have to meet FDA regulations.
Do you accept health insurance?
If your insurance company accepts Licensed Acupuncturists outside your network (including NYSHIP) then you may be covered. To verify that you have acupuncture coverage, please fax your insurance information to (631)750-6670 or email AcubyStorm@gmail.com
What is the difference between a Licensed Acupuncturist and a Certified Acupuncturist?
A Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) is a health care professional who has trained primarily or exclusively in the techniques of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In the state of New York training requires a minimum of 4,050 hours of classroom instruction, including at least 650 hours of supervised clinical experience with patients. Board examinations in Oriental medicine, point location, and clean needle technique must be passed in order to obtain a state license. To verify that a practitioner is a Licensed Acupuncturist click here.
A Certified Acupuncturist is a licensed physician or dentist who has completed at least 200 hours of instruction in programs in acupuncture and at least 100 hours of supervised experience. Their primary training is in Western medicine.
My physical therapist mentioned “dry-needling”, is that accepted as Acupuncture?
No. “Dry needling” or “trigger-point needling” are controversial techniques being used by some practitioners in health care fields outside of Traditional Chinese Medicine. More information about the controversy and the risks can be found here and here.
Want to learn more about Chinese Medicine? Check out the Wikipedia article on Chinese Medicine here.