Acupuncture FAQs

Acupuncture is an ancient method of medicine that uses the body’s energy or Qi (chee) to treat conditions such as pain, dizziness, nausea, chronic conditions, post-stroke paralysis, drug and alcohol addiction, etc. Acupuncture uses very fine, sterile, single-use needles placed in specific locations around the body to manipulate that energy. There are acupuncture points all over the body, including the face and scalp. Where you will have needles placed will depend on your signs and symptoms. Other modalities used in treatment can include electrostimulation, gua sha, cupping, and “7 Star” needling. Read the FAQs below for more information.

Click here for a list of conditions recommended for acupuncture treatment by the World Health Organization.

The acupuncture treatments themselves typically do not hurt. Occasionally you will feel a pinching sensation as the needles are inserted. With the needles in place, you may feel pressure, tingling, or aching. This is the Qi in the body and is a desired response. It is not expected to be uncomfortable or painful. If you do experience any pain or discomfort, advise your practitioner immediately, as your needles may need to be adjusted.

After an acupuncture treatment you will be advised to rest and drink extra water. Most people feel very relaxed and energized after an acupuncture treatment. On occasion you may experience a small bruise where a needle was inserted. If you experience any pain, large bruises, swelling, difficulty breathing, or dizziness after an acupuncture treatment, advise your practitioner or doctor immediately.

You will meet with your clinic intern practitioner or professional practitioner for an in-depth conversation about your signs and symptoms and your comprehensive health history. You may be asked some questions about your diet, exercise, and lifestyle. Your clinic intern practitioner will leave the treatment room to consult with the licensed acupuncturist who will approve and oversee your treatment. Upon the intern clinic practitioner’s return, he or she will ask you to lie down on a bed and the insertion sites will be cleaned with alcohol. The acupuncture intern will insert the needles and leave you to rest for 15 to 30 minutes. There may be an occasional adjustment of needles. You may receive other treatments such as gua sha or moxibustion at the same time as acupuncture. Undressing is seldom necessary for acupuncture treatments but you should wear loose, comfortable clothes.

If you are receiving an herbal formula, your intern clinic practitioner will explain the formula to you, ask you questions about food and medication allergies, and explain the different pricing options.

At the end of the treatment, your intern clinic practitioner will discuss your treatment plan, which includes any herbal formulas you may receive, nutritional advice, and the plan for your continuing acupuncture treatments.

An Clinic Intern Practitioner is student intern who is currently enrolled in our 3.5 year Master of Science in Oriental Medcine (MSOM) degree program. Students study for 1.5 years before entering the clinic to treat patients under the guidance of licensed acupuncturists, who have at least five years of professional experience in their own practices.

While there are no contraindications to receiving acupuncture or other TCM treatment modalities, there may be certain conditions or circumstances that may prevent you from receiving a treatment today. Some conditions may mean that certain acupuncture points or treatments are cautioned or contraindicated, and your treatment plan will be adjusted accordingly.

If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, please notify your acupuncture intern immediately. Most acupuncture points are safe to use during pregnancy, but there are a few points that are avoided as a precaution.

Electrostimulation uses small electrodes attached to acupuncture needles to send an electrical impulse into the muscle. It is most often used for musculoskeletal pain and paralysis. The acupuncture intern will insert 2-6 needles in an area and attach electrodes. You will feel a mild pulsing in time with the electrical impulse. It is not painful or uncomfortable. If you experience pain or discomfort, advise your acupuncture intern, who will adjust the strength of the impulse to a more comfortable setting.

Gua Sha is a treatment that is used primarily for early cold symptoms or tightness in large muscle groups. This technique involves using a dull-edged device to gently scrape the skin, usually the upper back and neck. It is not painful. There is no bleeding or scabbing. You may experience some slight bruising that will last 1 to 3 days.

Following treatment you will be advised to keep the area covered and avoid windy conditions for a day or two.

Cupping is a technique that is most often used for musculoskeletal pain, such as back pain. In this technique, small glass or plastic cups will be placed on the affected area and suction will be created, drawing some of your tissue inside the cup. Your clinic intern practitioner may apply a thin layer of oil to your skin and may move the cups around the affected area. There is no bleeding. You may feel a sensation similar to that of being massaged. You may experience round bruises or bruising over the affected area that may last 3 to 5 days.

Following treatment you will be advised to keep the area covered and avoid windy conditions for a day or two.

“7 Star,” or plum blossom needling, is a technique similar to gua sha that uses a specially designed needle with 7 small tips. Like acupuncture needles, these are very fine, small needles. This technique is often used with early stage cold symptoms, trauma, and long term pain. The clinic intern practitioner will use the 7 star needle to lightly tap on the affected area, rather than inserting a single needle into the area. There may be slight bleeding.

Following treatment you will be advised to keep the area covered and avoid windy conditions for a day or two.

Moxibustion is a heating method of treatment using the Chinese herb mugwort. Moxibustion is used for treating pain, trauma, and certain cold-related injuries or conditions. The mugwort is compressed into a stick that is burned near the body or into small cones that are placed on the body with a protective barrier that prevents burning. Both these methods introduce heat into the affected area, providing relief of pain. There is some limited smoke and odor when using moxibustion. Please advise your practitioner if you have asthma or other respiratory conditions, or if you are sensitive to odors.

Chinese herbal formulas are specially formulated combinations of traditional herbs that are intended to compliment acupuncture treatments for most conditions. Chinese herbs can be plants, sea products, and animal products. At AIMC Berkeley, our herbs are sourced through an international vendor who provides organically grown herbs that are processed using GMP standards. Herbs come in pill form, powders that you mix with warm water and drink as tea, and raw herbs that you simmer in water and then drink as tea. Your clinic intern practitioner will thoroughly explain any herbal formula you may receive, as well as any anticipated interactions with your medications. You should never discontinue doctor-prescribed medications without consulting your doctor.

Please advise your practitioner if you are vegan or vegetarian, and if you have any food/medication/environmental allergies or sensitivities.

AIMC Berkeley operates two main clinics simultaneously: the Intern Clinic and the Professional Clinic. Each is staffed by practitioners who treat patients in private rooms. Our specialty clinics vary by term, but most often include the following, some of which are discussed below: Japanese Medicine Clinic, Community-style Acupuncture Clinic, Auricular (Ear) Clinic, Facial Rejuvenation Clinic, and Medical Qigong Clinic.

Japanese Medicine Clinic

Japanese-style acupuncture offers an alternative to traditional Chinese acupuncture techniques. In Japanese-style acupuncture, needles are placed only shallowly in the skin. Patients do not typically feel the qi movement that is more common with Chinese style acupuncture. The two styles of treatment are equal in effectiveness. If you are very sensitive to needles or strong sensations, you may prefer Japanese-style acupuncture.

Community-style Acupuncture Clinic

Community-style acupuncture is conducted in a group setting clinic that is similar to the traditional acupuncture setting in China. After checking in at the front desk, you will go into a large treatment room where several reclining chairs are available. A clinic intern practitioner will question you briefly about your main complaint, and after consulting with a licensed supervisor, the place needles in your lower arms and legs. You will then relax for 15 to 30 minutes.

Japanese-style Acupuncture Clinic

Japanese acupuncture is an alternative to traditional Chinese acupuncture techniques. In Japanese-style acupuncture, needles are placed only shallowly in the skin. Patients do not typically feel the qi movement that is more common with Chinese style acupuncture. The two styles of treatment are equal in effectiveness. If you are very sensitive to needles or strong sensations, you may prefer Japanese-style acupuncture.

Community-style Acupuncture Clinic

Community Clinic is a group setting clinic that is similar to the traditional acupuncture setting in China. After checking in at the front desk, you will go into a large treatment room where several reclining chairs are available. You will place your belongings under the chair and take a seat. An acupuncture intern will question you briefly about your main complaint. After consulting with the acupuncture instructor, the intern will place several needles in your lower arms and legs. You will rest in the chair for 20 to 45 minutes.

Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture Clinic

The Ear Acupuncture Clinic is set up in the same group treatment format as the Community Clinic, but acupuncture is limited to the ears. The French have developed a very effective way of treating most complaints by concentrating on specific points in the ear. Many patients who are apprehensive about needles find this to be an alternative that works well.

Medical Qigong Clinic

Medical Qigong is a treatment modality that uses the patient’s own qi. Medical qigong practitioners at AIMC Berkeley have undergone an extensive training program in addition to our rigorous Master of Science degree program. These specialized practitioners will use your own qi to restore harmony and balance in the body. In medical qigong treatments, patients will relax on a treatment table while the practitioner moves around them. Humming or other sound therapy may be incorporated. Patients often report feeling qi movement without the aid of acupuncture needles.