1. Do you cover my insurance?
Dr. Zheng is a provider for an ever expanding list of insurance companies. Currently we take a majority of insurances but to see if your specific insurance is covered, please call us at 425-298-0671 or email us at drzhenginseattle@gmail.com.

2. What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a Chinese method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve bodily function by inserting super fine needles into precise acupuncture points in the body and/or applying heat or electrical stimulation at these specific points.
Acupuncture is a complete health care system, which is used to diagnose and treat disease, prevent illness and improve well being. It can be effective for physical, psychological and emotional problems. Acupuncture originated in China more than 5,000 years ago and due to its proven effectiveness has been embraced throughout the world.

3. Is acupuncture painful? 
Acupuncture does not hurt like a hypodermic needle. Hypodermic needles are very thick in comparison to acupuncture needles. When acupuncture needles are inserted and manipulated, there is a sensation, often an electrical or tingling feeling, but not pain. Insertion of the hair-like acupuncture needles is practically painless except for mild stinging sensation. And depending on your pain tolerance, Dr. Zheng will also adjust her treatment methods accordingly to give you the most pleasant experience.

4. How many treatments will it take before I see an improvement in my condition?
This is a difficult question to answer because it varies from person to person. Some people will be able to see an improvement right away. With some people however, it takes as many as eight or ten treatments before a difference is seen. Every person reacts differently to acupuncture. It can also vary depending on the nature of the problem (both in severity and whether it's an acute or chronic issue). 

5. Are there any side effects to the treatment?
NO.
It is quite common that the first one or two treatments are followed by a sensation of deep relaxation or even mild disorientation but these sensations will pass within a short period of time. Nothing a bit of rest will not overcome.

6. What is a modern explanation for the effects of acupuncture?
There are two major concepts in modern science which attempt to explain how acupuncture works:

1. Needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain. These natural chemicals will either alter the experience of pain or trigger the excretion of other hormones or chemicals in the body that will lead to internal auto-regulation; and,
2. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), YIN represents "-" (negative) and YANG represents "+" (positive). The main principle is to keep the YIN and the YANG balance or bring the YIN and YANG back to the normal balance. YIN- YANG balance is the healthy state of the body. When the positive and negative charges in the bio-electrons are not balanced, disease occurs. Acupuncture is claimed to be able to force the bio-electrons to resume their normal movement patterns and balance.

7. What are some other related acupuncture procedures?
Electro-acupuncture is administered through acupuncture needles, using very small electrical impulses and generally for analgesia (pain control). The power used is only a few micro amperes, but the frequency of the current varies from 5 to 2000 Hz. Other methods used to stimulate acupuncture points are now being used, like Laser and Sonogram (sound waves). Another is Moxibustion, treatment using heat applied to acupuncture points. Cupping is another form, where suction from a jar made of metal, wood or glass (where partial vacuum has been created) is used to stimulate acupuncture points.

Hopefully these answers your generic questions about acupuncture. If you have more questions, please feel free to contact us.

Table of Contents:

1. Do you cover my insurance?
2. What is acupuncture?
3. Is acupuncture painful?
4. How many treatments will it take before I see an improvement in my condition?
5. Are there any side effects to the treatments?
6. What is the modern explanation for its action?
7. What are the other related acupuncture procedures?

Is your question not here? Don't worry, call 425-298-0671 and ask!