Acupuncture Q & A

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles into specific points to regulate the Qi (vital energy) in the body. The needles used are, by Florida law, disposable - single use only. It is an effective form of health care that has evolved into a complete and holistic medical system.

What is Qi?

Qi (pronounced "chee") flows throughout the body. It helps to animate the body and protect it from illness, pain, and disease. A person's health is influenced by the quality, quantity, and balance of Qi.

Is Acupuncture New, I have never heard of it before?

Oriental Medicine, including Acupuncture is the oldest continuously practice system of medicine in the world today. In schools, written texts dated 300-500 BC are still studied and ancient herbal formulas have been adapted for treatment of modern disease.

When was Acupuncture introduced to the United States?

The first publicized use of acupuncture in the United States was in 1826 when Ben Franklin's grandson, Franklin Bache, MD, published a paper on the beneficial effects of Acupuncture. Acupuncture and electro-acupuncture were used in the 1860s, 702, and 80s for lower back pain, fractures and anesthesia. In the early 1900s however, with the rise of Western allopathic medicine, the use of acupuncture because less known in the US except in Chinatowns.

It was not until 1971, during the Nixon Presidency that acupuncture was revived for Americans. James Reston, of the NY Times newspaper, was traveling in China with Henry Kissinger when he developed acute appendicitis. Chinese physicians successfully treated him for post-operative pain using acupuncture. Reston wrote an article entitled "Now, Let Me Tell You About My Appendectomy In Peking" This piqued the interest of Americans everywhere. A resurgence of acupuncture practice took place.

When did the state of Florida began licensing Acupuncturists?

The state of Florida was one of the first to start licensing acupuncture physicians starting in 1982.

What is the educational requirement for an Acupuncture Physician in the State of Florida?

Acupuncture Physicians in the state of Florida must complete a four-year program of intensive study of 2700 hours of training. This is similar to the number of hours required of other medical professionals: MD/DO 2756 (+3 years of residency), and DCs (Doctors of Chiropractic 2887. The course of study includes training and supervision in the use of Oriental Medicine diagnosis and techniques, herbal studies, western biomedical terms, anatomy and physiology, pathology, laboratory tests, x-ray imaging, and many other courses.

Are there any side effects?

Acupuncture is a gentle healing method without harmful side effects.

What can Acupuncture Treat?

The World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health recommend acupuncture for a wide variety of ailments, a few examples are:

Infections: Colds, flu, bronchitis, hepatitisSkin: Eczema, acne, herpes

Mental, Emotional: Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Insomnia

Eyes, Ears, Nose Throat: Deafness, ringing in the ears, earaches, allergies, poor eyesight, sinus infection, dizziness, sorethroat.

Internal Medicine: High blood pressure, asthma, hypoglycemia, ulcers, hemorrhoids, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion

Muscles, Nerves, and Bones: Arthritis, sciatica, back pain, tendonitis, stiff neck, Bell's palsy, stroke, neuralgia, sprains, trigeminal neuralgia, bursitis, cerebral palsy, headaches.

Reproductive: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), pelvic inflammatory disease, irregular periods and cramps, vaginitis, infertility, impotence, morning sickness.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments will vary from person to person. Some people experience immediate relief; others may take months or even years to achieve results. Chronic conditions usually take longer to solve than acute ones. Plan on a minimum of four weeks to see significant changes.

What should I expect during treatment?

Where the acupuncture needle has been inserted, you may experience a vague numbness, heaviness, tingling, or dull ache. Sometimes people may experience a sensation of energy spreading or moving around the needle. This is call the "Qi Sensation". All these reactions are good and a good sing that the treatment is working. After treatment, you may feel energized or may experience a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.

Do the needles hurt?

The sensation caused by the needles varies. Some people feel a little pain as the needle is inserted, but most people feel no pain at all. The needles are tiny, just a little larger than a human hair. During the treatment, the patient does not experience pain. In fact, most people experience a state of deep relaxation, and some even fall asleep during the treatment. How safe is acupuncture? Acupuncture is extremely safe. It is an all-natural, drug-free therapy, yielding no side effects expecting feelings of relaxation and well-being. There is little danger of infection from acupuncture needles because they are sterile, used once, and then discarded.

How can I support my acupuncture treatment?

Eat Healthy Be sure to get plenty of Fresh Air Get an adequate amount of rest Do Low or moderate impact exercise

Does my insurance company cover acupuncture?

Many of the major health insurance companies cover acupuncture and other therapies in Oriental Medicine. To verify coverage, please call the office at 954-390-0411 or can visit us online at http://highpointhealing.com/insurance.htm

For more information on Acupuncture, you can visit us online at

http://highpointhealing.com/acupuncture.htm

Introduction

My name is Valencie Exceus. I am a Doctor of Oriental Medicine in Fort Lauderdale. One of my goals is to promote natural medicine, particularly Oriental Medicine. There is so much that the public isn't aware of. People are suffering and some people are literally dying from lack of knowledge. The more we know the better choices we can make.

For the past two years, I have been educating the public by being part of several radio shows giving advice on a regular basis; hosting my own radio show; hosting an online TV show; delivering talks and lectures to various groups throughout the South Florida community. I am very excited about the launch of this newsletter because it will reach a broader range of people, and I hope that it will be life changing for those who read it.

From this newsletter, you can expect useful and relevant information. Natural Medicine is not simply a medicine of the past. While we practitioners of Oriental Medicine preserve the ancient wisdom of Chinese Medicine, we have always kept up with the times. In my practice, I combine the best of Ancient Chinese Medicine and Modern Alternative Medicine in order to give each patient the most comprehensive treatment. Every two weeks, you will get a chance to learn more about some of the most conditions such as Insomnia, Migraine, Hypertension, Lower Back Pain, Stress, PMS, and Constipation. Expect to get useful tips that you can share with your friends, family, and co-workers. In an upcoming issue you will get a chance to learn more about me in an in-depth interview conducted by Blake Seide.

I will also have a Question & Answer column. Perhaps, you are wondering if Chinese Medicine can help with your knee pain. Or, maybe you suffer from Fibroids and want to know your options for natural treatments. I invite you to participate by submitting your questions. I will select one or two questions to answer for each issue.

I ask you to help me reach my goal of educating the public about Natural medicine by sharing this newsletter with your friends. If you are part of a group and would like me to be a speaker for your next gathering, please feel free to contact me.

I also invite you to visit my website, www.AcupunctureFortLauderdale.com. There, you can read all about Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine, Stress, Pain, Women's Health, Men's Health, and much more. You can also use the site to request an appointment, submit your insurance information, and submit your questions for the newsletter.

This month is Patient Appreciation Month in my clinic. If you are suffering with a condition such as neck and shoulder pain, acid reflux, menstrual cramps, and any of the conditions listed in the website or if you would like to maintain your health, now is a very good time to schedule your appointment for a thorough consultation and highly individualized treatments. We have a very special offer for our new patients during Patient Appreciation Month. Please call the office at 954-390-0411 to schedule your appointment.

It is truly a pleasure to connect with you through the newsletter. I hope you learn a lot from this issue's featured article about Acupuncture and Insurance.

In Health,

Valencie Exceus, DOM
Doctor of Oriental Medicine

Most Insurances Cover Acupuncture

Oriental Medicine, particularly acupuncture has become very popular in the United States. Although people are aware that acupuncture treats pain, most do not know that it can affectively treat a wide range of medical conditions. Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of the following conditions:

Muscle, Bone and Nerve Pain and Diseases: Back Pain, Leg Pain, Foot Pain, Stiff and Painful shoulders and Neck, Lower Back Pain, Sciatica, Tennis Elbow, Carpal Tunnel syndrome and Painful Joints, TMJ, Toothache, Headache and Migraines, Arthritis Facial Paralysis, Bell’s Palsy

Internal Medicine: Stomachache, Indigestion, Chronic Diarrhea, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Constipation, Allergies; Sinus, Asthma

Gynecological Disorder: Menstrual Pain and Cramping, PMS, Menopause, Infertility
Emotional and Sleep Disorders: Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, and Fatigue

Addictions: Tobacco, Narcotics, Alcohol, Weight Loss

Because Oriental medicine is so effective many health insurance policies are now covering treatments performed by Doctors of Oriental Medicine such as acupuncture and manual therapy. The office of Valencie Exceus, DOM, (Doctor of Oriental Medicine), has successfully processed claims from the following insurance companies: United Health Care, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, and Blue Cross & Blue Shield.

A large percentage of people with insurance coverage fail to take advantage of the many services available to them. It is very important to know that many beneficial alternative treatments are covered by insurance and could potentially prevent more serious health challenges. Typically, the insurance companies cover acupuncture for the treatment of pain along with other conditions.

To find out if your insurance plan covers the services offered by Dr. Exceus, call the office today at 954-390-0411 or you can submit your information online at http://www.highpointhealing.com/insurance.htm