Frequently Asked Questions
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture, when performed by a trained and licensed acupuncturist, is extremely safe. Matt Nilsen-Remedios is certified in Clean Needle Technique (CNT) as required by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Three Leaf Acupuncture only uses medical grade, pre-sterilized, single use only acupuncture needles. After use, these needles are properly disposed as medical sharps and are not re-used.
The insertion of acupuncture needles is generally quite shallow and avoids blood vessels, nerves, and internal organs. A detailed knowledge of physiology and anatomy ensures the safe insertion and removal of all needles.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Because acupuncture needles are approximately the thickness of three human hairs, they are virtually painless. Some patients experience minor sensations, feelings of warmth, movement, or heaviness when the needles are inserted. Occasionally some small discomfort may be experienced upon insertion; however, once the needle is in place there is rarely any pain. In fact, once the needles have been put in place it is common for patients to fall asleep!
What can acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture is a medical technique which stimulates and guides the body's own healing mechanisms. In effect, acupuncture helps your body to heal itself. Therefore, acupuncture can be useful in the treatment of any problem of the mind or body! This can include musculoskeletal injuries, nervous system disorders, pain syndromes, dermatological issues, cardiovascular diseases, endocrine imbalances, urogenital problems, gastrointestinal trouble, and psychological or emotional difficulties. Because of acupuncture's ability to promote the health of the immune system, it can also be helpful in preventing and combating various infections, allergies, autoimmune disorders, and cancers.
What would my first visit be like?
Because acupuncture is a holistic, individually-tailored form of treatment, it's important that we obtain information both on the specific problem for which you're seeking treatment as well as your overall health condition. Therefore, we ask you to print out and complete a Health Questionnaire to bring with you to your first appointment. We will then review the information with you as well as conduct a series of diagnostic exams. Based on this information, you will be given an acupuncture treatment tailored to your specific condition and health. This entire process will take between 60 and 90 minutes. Please also see our Guidelines for information about your first treatment.
Subsequent visits will include a more abbreviated intake and diagnostic exam in order to evaluate your progress, and will be followed by the acupuncture treatment. These visits will take approximately 60 to 75 minutes.
How long does it take to work?
Because every person's body and circumstances are different, it is difficult to give an exact time scale in which you can expect to see results. Some patients experience an immediate difference, while for others it takes several treatments before they begin to notice progress.
A good rule of thumb is that the longer a particular problem has been going on, the longer it will take for it to heal.