Acupuncture and Wellness of Charleston, LLC :: FAQs
Acupuncture and Wellness of Charleston, LLC, Catherine R. Jones

acupressure acupuncture

Frequently Asked Questions

In South Carolina, “acupuncture” means a form of health care developed from traditional and modern oriental concepts for health care that employs oriental medical techniques, treatment and adjunctive therapies for the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health and the prevention of disease.

Acupuncture also includes other therapies such as moxibustion (a very old warming treatment using specific Chinese herbs), cupping (a very old treatment to relieve pain and tension), electrical stimulation or electro acupuncture, Tui Na (Chinese massage), herbal medicine, nutritional counseling, etc.

  1. What can acupuncture and its therapies be used for?

    Hundreds of conditions can be helped with acupuncture and adjunctive therapies. Some of the most common ones include:
    • Musculoskeletal pain/back pain
    • Headaches
    • Menopausal symptoms
    • Arthritis
    • Insomnia
    • Sciatica
    • Carpal tunnel syndrome
    • Menstrual disorders
    • Stress related conditions
    • Digestive disorders
    • Fatigue
    • Adverse effects of chemotherapy
  2. Does acupuncture hurt?

    3. No. You may feel a little prick for a second but if it is painful after that we will adjust it right away so that you can relax.
  3. Is acupuncture safe? How long has it been in use?

    4. Yes. Acupuncture is a therapy that has been used around the world for thousands of years. In the United States, only sterile, sealed pins are used and they are never reused.
  4. How big are the needles?

    5. When you think of acupuncture, you probably think of needles. Think of very tiny pins instead. These tiny pins (which are about the diameter of a hair) are inserted into particular points on the body to promote a “qi” response. “Qi” (pronounced chee) is the energy/life force that makes us living, thinking, moving, feeling beings.
  5. How long is the treatment?

    6. The first visit is longer than subsequent visits. First, you would be asked to read and complete some forms. Then, you would be asked questions about your “chief complaint(s)”, other health issues, medical history, lifestyle, diet, sleep and more. Your tongue and the pulses on both wrists would be examined and some other pertinent assessments may be done depending on your “chief complaint(s)”. Then, you get to lie down for your acupuncture treatment. Sometimes treatment is done with the patient face down, sometimes face up.
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