FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS TRADITIONAL CHINESES MEDICINE (TCM)?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the world’s oldest and continually practiced medical profession. Its written history stretches back at least 2,500 years.  Briefly TCM is a medical science with theoretical systems in physiology, pathology, and etiology, much like western medicine. TCM has its own method of diagnosis and various means of treating disease. The most commonly known are herbal medicine and acupuncture. The principles that a TCM acupuncturists practices are to treat the root cause, strengthen the immune system, harmonize the function of the body’s organ to promote natural healing.

HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely practiced in the United States. Acupuncture is a method of restoring the body’s vital energy called Qi. By inserting sterile needles gently and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points, acupuncture can balance and promote natural healing and improve functioning of organs.  Channels of energy, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body irrigating and nourishing the tissues and organs. TCM sees all symptoms as indications that the energy transmission system of the body is malfunctioning. Acupuncture can promote the regular energy flow through the meridians, helping the body’s internal organs to correct their balances.

WHY ARE HERBS USED?
Chinese herbal medicine is main focus of TCM for treating a wide variety of symptoms and is effective now as it was when first introduced more than 2,500 years ago. There are different reasons for taking herbs, from strengthening and building a stronger immune system to balancing body organ functions, as well as lessening the side effects from medical treatments.  These herbs can be taken in many forms including herbal tea (decoction), pills, or powder. Safe and effective Chinese herbal medicine should always be prescribed by a qualified practitioner.

WHAT CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE/HERBS?
Many conditions can be treated. Among the most responsive are: musculo/skeletal problems such as sciatica, low back pain and arthritis; nervous system imbalances, especially anxiety, nervousness, sleeplessness or depression; asthma, allergies and sinus problems; and digestive disorders including irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, diarrhea and constipation. In addition, we often treat headaches, immune system disorders, chronic fatigue, and weight problems.

Women's health issues respond especially well to TCM: menstrual disorders or irregular, menopause/PMS, cysts and fibroids, endometriosis, and others.

An area of special interest to the practitioners at ACM Center is the treatment of infertility.
Click here for our Fertility Health page for more information.

At our center, acupuncture also is applied for anti-aging, well-being, as well as Facial Cosmetic Acupuncture.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING MY FIRST VISIT?
During your initial visit a full health history will be taken. Your consultation will involve many questions concerning your physical and emotional condition, sleeping patterns, and eating habits along with your overall lifestyle. We may also check your pulses and tongue. This information is then organized to create a complete diagnosis and comprehensive treatment plan. You will receive an acupuncture treatment at your first visit. At AMC Center, we provide time for in-depth consultation. We believe that healing starts when conversation begins.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
The number of treatments will vary from person to person, and on a variety of factors: your health, the severity and duration of the problem.  Some patients will experience immediate relief, and others may take longer.  Give yourself the necessary time to experience the maximum benefits acupuncture and Chinese medicine have to offer.

WILL MY HEALTH INSURANCE PAY FOR MY ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is not always covered by health insurance.  We suggest that you contact your insurance provider to see if your benefits cover acupuncture.

Here are a few questions to ask:
1. Will my plan cover acupuncture treatment, performed by a licensed acupuncturist? If yes, is there any restriction for the acupuncture treatment?
2.  Does my plan cover my symptom?  State Symptoms (i.e. headache, poor sleeping, indigestion).
3.  Are there, any requirements?  Do I need a referral?
4.  What is my coverage for acupuncture treatment?  Do I have a deductible?
5.  Do I have co-pay?
6.  How many visits per calendar year?
7.  Does my plan cover out-of-network acupuncture treatment? How do I do reimbursements?

We do provide for our patients a monthly statement for their health care flexible spending account (FSA) reimbursement. Patients are responsible for later submitting the necessary reimbursement forms with our monthly statements to their insurance company if their benefits cover acupuncture treatments.

HELPFUL LINKS
» Traditional Chinese Medicine health Info.
» Acupuncture Today: Online version of newsletter for practitioners.
» NIH Consensus Statement on Acupuncture.
» NCCAOM: National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
» BBT Chart and Group supporting.
» Internet Health Resources: hub for infertility information, services, products.
» Menopause Online.