Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happens in a treatment?
There are some obvious differences between Toyohari and other styles of acupuncture practice. Patients receiving treatment are most likely to notice that the Toyohari approach is more gentle and the practitioner’s touch and needling techniques feel lighter and less invasive.
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Treatment is a very relaxing experience. The initial treatment will last 1 to 1 1/2 hours, please prepare to show up 15 minutes before your appointment time to fill out paperwork. All subsequent treatments will last about 45 minutes. Traditional diagnosis involves taking the details of your case, including your past and present medical history. Once on the treatment table, the practitioner will gently palpate the meridians and your abdomen and feel the pulse at the wrist. Treatment involves addressing the root energetic imbalance in order to strengthen the whole body. Just as a tree depends on its roots, once a strong balance is achieved, the branches begin to grow and flourish. Branch treatment addresses the specific presenting conditions for which you have sought treatment. Warming herbs (moxibustion), cupping and other techniques unique to Toyohari are used. You may experience a sensation of warmth and tingling as the points are stimulated. Often people feel a sense of calm and well-being during the treatment itself and immediately afterwards.
How often do I need to come for treatment and how many treatments will I need?
Treatment is usually weekly to begin with, though for very acute conditions, it may be helpful to come more than once a week. As your condition improves, the sessions are spaced out. Some patients come monthly or once every 6-8 weeks for maintenance.
What type of conditions can be treated?
Acupuncture can be used to help strengthen a person’s natural healing ability, to speed up recovery from disease and as a preventative measure to help to protect one’s health.
A wide range of conditions can be treated by Toyohari acupuncture. Although by no means an exhaustive list, this includes: anxiety/stress, arthritis, asthma, back pain, circulatory problems, depression, digestive disorders, dizziness, ear, nose and throat problems, facial paralysis, fatigue and low energy, gynecological problems, headaches, high blood pressure, immune-related problems, infertility, irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual irregularities, migraines, musculo-skeletal problems, painful conditions, palpitations, pregnancy related conditions, respiratory problems, sciatica, sports injuries and urinary problems.
Is it safe?
Widespread research has demonstrated that all acupuncture, when carried out by appropriately trained practitioners, is an extremely safe form of therapy. Julie is a registered Toyohari practitioner, and has been trained to both graduate and post-graduate levels of training.
What criteria do I use to select an acupuncturist?
In order to practice in Texas, acupuncturists must be licensed by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, which also regulates physicians and physician assistants. Licensed acupuncturists (L.Ac.) must meet stringent criteria:
- Graduate from an acupuncture school that has been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).
- Receive 1,800 hours of acupuncture training from an accredited acupuncture school.
- Devote 450 of the 1,800 hours to training in herbal therapy.
- Certify as a Diplomate in Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
- Take and pass the Council of College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) Clean Needle Technique course and practical examination.
- Take a minimum of 60 college hours in addition to the acupuncture training.
- Prove English proficiency.
Surprisingly, the state of Texas is less demanding of other practitioners who perform acupuncture.
For example:
- Chiropractors only need 100 hours of training in acupuncture and are not required to take any examination to test their skills.
- Medical doctors (M.D.) and doctors of osteopathy (D.O.) have no minimum requirements to practice acupuncture in the state of Texas.
When considering acupuncture, do all of the same things you would do when choosing a new doctor:
- Talk to people you trust and ask for recommendations.
- Check the practitioner’s training and credentials.
- Ask about treatment costs and your insurance coverage.
- Interview the practitioner. Ask about the treatment procedures used and how likely they are to help your condition.