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OFFICE HOURS: Notes on contacting us by email: Unfortunately, I am unable to provide medical advice or answer medical questions if you are not my patient. I may or may not be able to respond to your email if you are not my patient. If you are not my patient, and I DO respond to your email, it does not establish or imply a doctor-patient relationship in any form! |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is Integrative Medicine?
The National Institutes of Health has defined Integrative Medicine as medicine that "combines mainstream medical therapies and [complementary and alternative medicine] (CAM) therapies for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness." This may include teaching relaxation techniques, adding nutritional or exercise recommendations or, occasionally botanical medicines (such as herbs). Integrative medicine also includes prescribing conventional pharmaceuticals where indicated.
At its heart, Integrative Medicine aims to enhance current medical practice and, although it is often perceived as a "new movement", it in fact refocuses medicine on its most traditional roots and values including:
1. |
Whole-person care that attends not only to the physical, but also to the psychological, emotional, social, spiritual and cultural dimensions of each person. |
2. |
Relationship and patient-centered care that recognizes the fundamental importance of the relationship between the patient and the health care provider, is deeply respectful of the wishes and experience of the individual patient, and values the patient as an active partner in his or her own care. |
3. |
Self-care that encourages patients to care for themselves in order to both prevent and alleviate illness. A belief that health care providers should be teachers and should themselves embody a philosophy of self-care. |
4. |
Evidence-based care that uses the best available evidence on the safety and effectiveness of all treatment options. |
Q. Is Integrative Medicine applicable to all things that people go to the doctor for or only some things?
Integrative medicine is applicable to all types of primary care. It can be used for preventative health care or to treat specific conditions. More than anything, integrative medicine is about a partnership between the patient and healthcare provider.
Q: What ages do you treat?
As a Family Physician I am proud to treat all age groups from infants through to the elderly.
Q: Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
Yes. Evening and weekend appointments are available by special arrangement.
Q: How does acupuncture work?
In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is said to work with the body's life force or "qi" (pronounced "chee"). Qi flows through the body. Acupuncture points are said to be the places where the qi can become "stuck". Acupuncture "unblocks" the point and allows the qi to flow freely. Contemporary medical acupuncture uses many of the same techniques and points as traditional Chinese medicine, but directs treatment to specific neurovascular bundles and muscles. The prevailing theory at this time is that acupuncture works by stimulating the body to produce pain-killing substances including endorphins and enkephalins. It may also stimulate release of immune system chemicals at these sites. Studies have suggested that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones and thus affect parts of the central nervous system.
Q: Is acupuncture safe?
Yes. Acupuncture has no unpleasant side effects and does not interfere with any medical treatment you may already be receiving. Occasionally patients may get a small local bruise or feel light-headed for a few minutes after treatment. Many patients report a slight sense of euphoria or improved well-being after treatment.
Q: How do I know I won't get an infection from the needles?
I use only sterile needles that are individually prepackaged and designed for single use. They are disposed of immediately after use and are never used on another patient.
Q: I'm scared of needles. Does acupuncture hurt?
Unlike needles used for injections, acupuncture needles are very fine. They are no thicker than a human hair. Different people experience acupuncture differently. The vast majority of people are surprised to find that they do not feel anything when a needle is inserted. Most people relax as soon as the first needle is placed and they realize that it is not painful. There are some sites (such as the face) that are more sensitive and, occasionally a needle does cause mild discomfort. I always avoid potentially uncomfortable sites with patients who are new to acupuncture and never needle a specific site without patient permission.
Q: Is there anything I should or shouldn't do before having an acupuncture treatment?
It is advisable to watch what you eat before a treatment. You should not come for a treatment on an empty stomach or after a heavy meal.
Q: Do you do needleless acupuncture?
Yes. Needleless acupuncture is done with a handheld electrical stimulator by placing a small "seed" on the skin over the acupuncture point. However, I find that it is not as effective as acupuncture done with needles. Still, it is a viable option for patients who just cannot get over their needle phobia.
Q: Do you do ear acupuncture (auriculotherapy)?
Yes. Ear acupuncture can be done with special needles, with electrical stimulation, or with the application of topical "seeds" which stay in place for several days. The specific technique depends upon patient preference and the condition treated.
Q: What is moxibustion?
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique of burning herbs to increase the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment by further stimulating the qi. Moxibustion is rarely used in contemporary medical acupuncture.
Q: What kinds of conditions respond to acupuncture?
The World Health Organization has determined that acupuncture is an effective therapy for over 200 clinical conditions, including.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • |
Arthritis |
Q: Are there any patients who should avoid acupuncture?
Anyone can undergo acupuncture treatment. However, certain conditions may limit the specific points treated. Be sure to inform your acupuncturist if you are pregnant, being treated for cancer, have a pacemaker or similar device, or have recently undergone surgery. Your acupuncturist may ask that you obtain permission from another treating physician if you have any of these conditions.
Q: How many acupuncture treatments are required?
It depends upon the particular condition. Some recent sports or strain injuries can be successfully treated in a few visits. Chronic problems may take 6-12 or more visits to reach maximum improvement and may require monthly or periodic maintenance treatment. Some people find acupuncture more relaxing than massage and wish to repeat it once or twice a month. To give acupuncture a fair trial for your condition, you should expect to try at least 4-6 treatments.
Q: Do you provide medical care during an acupuncture visit?
Generally, acupuncture visits and medical care visits are separately scheduled. I am unable to provide unrelated medical care (or fill or refill prescriptions) for patients that see me only for acupuncture.
Q: How long does a visit last?
The length of visit depends on many factors. An initial visit for acupuncture will last 25-50 minutes. About one half of this time will be spent getting a medical history and doing an examination for the patient's initial complaint. Subsequent acupuncture treatments will be 25 or 50 minutes, depending on the patient's preferences and the condition(s) treated. Follow up for acupuncture is available in 25 minute or 50 minute appointments.
Q: How many conditions can you treat at one visit?
This is variable. For acupuncture, usually one or two conditions can be treated at a visit. It all depends on the problems and the areas of the body that need to be treated. Generally, patients can only be placed in one position during a 30 minute treatment, which somewhat limits options for treating multiple areas.
Q: Will you be selling nutritional supplements & botanicals? If so, will you make a profit by prescribing them?
I carry a few supplements and botanicals, for patient convenience. No patient is required to purchase any supplement or botanical in the office. I do sometimes recommend specific brands or formulations, but usually local health food stores and pharmacies carry what I recommend. Some suppliers offer discounts to physicians and will allow physicians to let their patients use the discount code when ordering by mail or internet. Where available, I do this. Supplements are sold at my cost, plus a small mark-up for the costs of ordering, stocking and handling them. There are so many supplements available in the marketplace that it is impossible to keep up with all the brands and formulations. By stocking a few select pharmaceutical grade supplements, I can feel confident about the quality and effectiveness for my patients.
Q: Do you do provide DAN! treatment for Autism?
The Defeat Autism Now (DAN) program uses sound biochemical reasoning to guide nutritional supplementation, special diets and individualized therapies for patients with autism. I have completed the DAN training and am happy to assist parents and caregivers who wish to explore these treatment methods for their children.
Q: What is your position on childhood immunizations?
I am generally in favor of immunizations for children and find that most children tolerate them well. I do not offer immunizations in my office at this time, simply because I do not have sufficient demand for them. I am happy to work with parents who desire an alternative immunization schedule and/or who wish to pre-treat to minimize the possibility of vaccine injury.
