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Acupuncture, Cupping Safety, Nerve Pain EXPLAINED

Acupuncture, Cupping therapy, and Herbal Medicine: common questions for Heal Your Vibe Acupuncture & Wellness,

 in Houston, Texas.  

 

Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body, referred to as acupuncture points. With gentle precision, acupuncture uses thin needles placed at specific points to unlock these pathways, restoring the natural flow of , a versatile healing method,energy and promoting healing. This ancient practice aims to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes, enhance energy flow (Qi), and restore balance. It is often used to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, migraines, anxiety, and digestive issues, among others.


 Whether you're seeking relief from pain, managing stress, or enhancing overall health, acupuncture provides a natural solution.  Always consult with a healthcare provider and take the proactive step of choosing a licensed practitioner to guide you on this therapeutic journey, ensuring your path to wellness is as safe as it is effective . Embrace the balance, embrace the journey.

 

Acupuncture: Unlocking Your Path to Wellness

Imagine a world where your body's energy flows freely, where harmony within leads to wellness throughout. Acupuncture, a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine, offers just that—a holistic approach to health that has stood the test of time for thousands of years. At its heart lies the concept of qi, the vital energy coursing through your body along meridians. When this energy is balanced, you achieve a state of well-being, experiencing peace in mind, body, and spirit. But when qi is blocked, it can disrupt this harmony, leading to illness.




The effectiveness of acupuncture is not solely determined by individual circumstances and the condition being treated. The skill of the practitioner plays a significant role. Therefore, it's crucial to choose a qualified professional for your acupuncture sessions, knowing that their expertise is a key factor in your treatment's success.

Scientific Evidence

A variety of clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate acupuncture's effectiveness. Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials suggest that acupuncture is effective for:

  • Chronic pain
  • Tension-type headaches
  • Preventing migraines
  • Reducing nausea after surgery or chemotherapy

While more research is needed to understand all the mechanisms at play fully, the evidence so far supports acupuncture as a beneficial treatment option for many. In cities like Houston, acupuncture specialists are constantly updating their practices with emerging research and techniques, ensuring they provide the best care possible and contributing to the ongoing development of acupuncture studies.


 

Patient Experiences with Acupuncture

Listening to the experiences of patients can often provide the most compelling evidence regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture. Many individuals who have undergone treatment in Houston acupuncture clinics share overwhelmingly positive experiences, offering hope and optimism for those considering acupuncture:

  • "After struggling with chronic back pain for years, I decided to try acupuncture and have been amazed at how much better I feel. It's a game-changer."
  • "Acupuncture has helped me deal with stress in a way that I never thought possible. I always leave the sessions feeling relaxed and rejuvenated."


 

Factors Influencing the Number of Sessions

When considering how many acupuncture sessions you may need, several factors come into play:


1. The Nature of the Condition

Different health conditions respond to acupuncture treatment in varying ways. For instance, acute issues, such as a sudden injury or headache, may require only a few sessions to achieve relief. In contrast, chronic conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia typically necessitate a more extended course of treatment. Those visiting a Houston acupuncture clinic for chronic pain management might initially need weekly sessions over several weeks to experience significant improvement.


2. The Individual’s Health Status

Your overall health and physiological makeup greatly influence how your body responds to treatment. Factors such as age, lifestyle, and pre-existing medical conditions can affect the effectiveness of acupuncture. Younger individuals in good health may respond more rapidly to treatment, whereas older adults or those with complex health issues may require more sessions to see results. A skilled practitioner will assess these factors during your initial consultation to devise a tailored treatment plan.


3. Treatment Goals

Your personal treatment goals also dictate the frequency and duration of acupuncture sessions. If you are seeking relief from a specific health issue or are looking for preventive care, your needs will differ. For many, regular sessions at a Houston acupuncture clinic can help maintain balance and overall wellness, but the number of sessions required will vary according to individual goals.


4. Practitioner is Experienced

Dr. Florida's expertise in Houston since 2011 has had a substantial impact on the treatment outcome. An experienced acupuncturist will not only provide appropriate and effective treatment. Still, it may also be able to gauge better how many sessions you will need based on their assessment of your specific condition. An initial consultation will typically provide insight into how many sessions you might require based on the professional experience and treatment philosophy of your therapist. We will often gauge the number of treatments on the first or second visit, depending on how the patient responds to treatment and historically how other patients with similar conditions have responded.


Typical Treatment Plans

In terms of typical treatment plans, it is common for practitioners to recommend an initial series of treatments to assess the body’s response. Many practitioners suggest:

  • Initial Consultation: Typically, one session for assessment and treatment plan development.
  • Acute Conditions: One to two sessions per week for a duration of 4 to 8 weeks.
  • Chronic Conditions: One session per week for several months, often tapering down to bi-weekly or monthly sessions as improvement is noted.

It's worth emphasizing that these guidelines can vary significantly based on the individual and the nature of the health concern.


Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the number of acupuncture sessions required to see results can vary widely from person to person. Factors such as the type of condition, individual health status, and treatment objectives play a critical role in determining an effective acupuncture schedule. If you're seeking relief or preventive care through Houston acupuncture, it is essential to consult with a qualified practitioner who can create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. Remember, acupuncture is a journey, and consistent treatment can lead to profound benefits over time, helping you achieve better health and wellness.


  • Initial visits are 60- 90 minutes
  • Follow-up visits are 40 minutes


  • Initial visits are 60- 90 minutes
  • Follow-up visits are 40 minutes


  • Wear comfortable clothes to your appointment or bring a change of clothes.
  • Avoid caffeine 2 hours before treatment.
  • Be prepared to relax after your treatment.


Acupuncture is a highly regulated industry, similar to other medical providers.  We are licensed in Texas by the Texas Medical Board and receive our credentialing from NCCAOM.org. We must obtain a license in any state where we practice and continue our education biannually to renew our license. We are required to obtain a graduate-level degree and pass the following Board exams. 


Texas Medical Board Requirements:

 

  • Minimum 1,800 hours of acupuncture training from an accredited acupuncture school
  • 450 hours of the required 1,800 hours of herbal training
  • Graduation from an accredited acupuncture school?
  • Passed all components of the full 5 NCCAOM board exam
    • NCCAOM Foundation of Oriental Medicine Module, Acupuncture Module, Point Location Module, the Chinese Herbology Module, and the Biomedicine Module.
  • Passed the CCAOM Clean Needle Technique Course and Practical Examination.
  • Passed the Texas Jurisprudence (JP) exam.


Education and licensing requirements may vary by state.  

Dr. Florida attended the American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, a highly rated school in Texas.  Here is the breakdown of the educational requirements.  An acupuncturist may obtain a master's or doctoral-level degree before becoming licensed.


ACAOM degree requirements: 163 credits or 2623 hours over 3-4 years 

 The programencompasses a broad spectrum of subjects, including acupuncture theory, point location and usage, diagnosis, Chinese herbal medicine, biomedicine classes such as histology, pharmacology, labs, imaging, anatomy, and a two-year clinical internship practice. We graduate witha well-rounded education, enabling us to diagnose, treat, and work with Western Medicine professionals  in an integrated and complementary approach.  




Dr. Sara Florida utilizes 8-24 Acupuncture needles per treatment, depending on the number of conditions and the complexity of the health issue.  We use, which yield more results with fewer needles, a method master points that get more results more with less needles, which we find that most patients prefer.


Acupuncture is compatible with many forms of health.  We will work with your doctors, health, and wellness providers to ensure that you are receiving optimal long-term health relief for your symptoms in our Houston, TX, clinic. 


Since the needles are hair-thin, most people report barely feeling them. Occasionally, someone may feel a slight sensation for a few seconds during insertion if it is a particularly sensitive area.  After insertion, they are barely noticeable.  The client rests in a quiet, dark and private room with calm music for some time while the therapy works.


Acupuncture is indeed very safe, primarily when performed by an experienced and licensed Acupuncturist.  Our Licensed Acupuncturist, having performed thousands of treatments safely without incident, is a testament to this.  


It's crucial to be aware that poorly trained or undertrained non-licensed therapists can pose serious risks. For instance, dry-needling too deep in the lung area can lead to pnuemothorax, a condition that requires immediate hospital care.  Other risks include needling deep into arteries or organ systems.   


Our Licensed Acupuncturist, with a high level of training and a commitment to following all precautions, has a proven track record of safety. This is particularly evident in their conservative approach in sensitive areas of the body, where no incidents have occurred. 


  • We use the Clean Needle technique, which is a class and board exam we take to become licensed professionals, ensuring that needles are single-use, sterile, and have nothing on them.
  • We use alcohol swabs to disinfect the skin for all points of treatment.
  • We use disposable table paper.
  • Heat lamps and infrared are moved away from the body before and after treatment and kept at a safe distance.
  • We disinfect and sterilize all tools before use. 
  • We offer nightly cleaning services to keep our treatment rooms clean and sanitary.
  • We wipe down surfaces with disinfectant regularly throughout the day.


Dry needling is different than Acupuncture.  Dry needling is a technique used by a Physical Therapist, that involves local deep stimulation of a muscle tissue.  This person has a certificate and is not a licensed Acupuncturist and usually has mininal training over a short time like a weekend, versus a graduate degree.  


Acupuncture can acheive the same results and more than dry needling because we incorporate all of the TCM theories and diagnosis into our practice that look at overall health, conditions and underlying root causes that are not addressed simply by dry needling.  Dr. Florida provides a gentle needle techqnique which most Texans seem to appreciate.


Wet needling is not legal in Texas.  Wet needling involves the use of an herbal supplement injected into a trigger point on the body.  It is legal in certain states, such as Utah and Colorado.


As part of our commitment to maintaining a sanitary environment, we do not provide bloodletting services in our practice for Acupuncture or Cupping therapy. This is a strict policy that we adhere to.


At times, during the regular process of Acupuncture, patients may experience minor bleeding. Rest assured, we use professional techniques such as cotton balls and gloves to apply pressure and stop the bleeding.  We do not perform any intentional bleeding therapy in this clinic.


We do two types of cupping in our clinic, glass cupping and plastic suction cupping.  The glass cupping works by using heat to extract the oxygen from the cup, which creates a suction on the skin. 


Cupping typically does not have any side effects.  The after effects may include purple cupping bruises or cupping marks.  The cupping marks generally last 2-3 days. They are normal because the cupping increases circulation and blood flow to the treated area. In rare cases, prolonged treatments may cause blisters. However, it's important to note that this is uncommon and can be easily treated with a bandage and ointment, providing reassurance about the safety of cupping therapy.


When done correctly, cupping is safe.  When done by a licensed and experienced Acupuncturist, there are few to no side effects or dangers.  In our private holistic Acupuncture clinic, we use fire cupping, which involves heating a cup up to create a suction, which our experienced Acupuncturist has done thousands of times since 2011 without incident.


We use supplements and Chinese herbal medicine brands and products based in the United States that follow all the quality standards here in the U.S.  All of the products are natural and free of extra additives. We have gluten-free, lactose-free, organic, and kosher options.


 

What are herbal supplements?

Plant-based products used to treat diseases or to maintain health are commonly referred to as herbal products, botanical products, or phytomedicines. However, a specific type of product made from plant sources and used only for internal use is called an herbal supplement, distinguishing it from other plant-based products.

Many prescription medicines and over-the-counter medicines are also made from plant products. But these products contain only purified ingredients and are regulated by the FDA. Herbal supplements may contain entire plants or plant parts.

Herbal supplements come in all forms. They may be dried, chopped, powdered, or in capsule or liquid form. They can be used in many ways, including:

Swallowed as pills, powders, or concentrated liquid extracts (tinctures), brewed as tea, used on the skin as gels, lotions, or creams, added to bath water

The practice of using herbal supplements dates back thousands of years. Today, herbal supplement use is everyday in the U.S. But they are not for everyone. They are not subject to scrutiny by the FDA or other governing agencies. For this reason, herbal supplements are still controversial. However, you can empower yourself by talking with your healthcare provider about any symptoms or conditions you have and discussing the use of herbal supplements. This responsible approach ensures your safety and well-being.


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  • What we Treat
  • New Patient Info
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Heal Your Vibe Acupuncture & Wellness

5373 W Alabama St, Houston, Suite 204, TX, USA

(832) 487-8994

Copyright © 2020 Dr Sara Florida- All Rights Reserved.

Heal Your Vibe PLLC

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