Is Chinese medicine safe?
Is Chinese medicine mind over matter?
What should I know before getting acupuncture?
Traditional Chinese medicine has been practiced for thousands of years on millions of people with an amazing record of safety and efficacy. Side effects and risks associated with acupuncture and herbs are significantly lower than those associated with Western medicine and all needles used at Life Healing Life are sterile, single use and disposable.
While some argue Chinese medicine is effective because of the placebo effect, studies have consistently shown acupuncture to be between 65 - 85% effective, while the placebo effect alone is commonly shown to be about 30 - 35% effective.It is clear that there is much more to Chinese medicine than mind over matter. Chinese medicine does however embrace the mind as an important participant in holistic healing!
Acupuncture is effective through its ability to stimulate the body (including specific organs) to elicit a response that helps recreate balance and health from within. While there are many theories about the mechanisms by which is does this (including theories focussing on its effects on neurotransmitters, the nervous system, and electrical conductivity) they remain theories. For more information on this topic, see the LHL Blog entry on how acupuncture works.
Absolutely! Life Healing Life wishes to be supportive and useful in whatever capacity works for you. Whether you choose Chinese medicine alone or Chinese medicine with Western medicine (or anything else for that matter), we will strive to be a partner in your healthcare and respect your needs.
Life Healing Life does not currently take insurance, but will be happy to provide you with a detailed receipt if you wish to submit one to your insurance company, flex spending or health savings account.
Although the thought of paying out-of-pocket for healthcare can be daunting, it is actually quite affordable when you consider the results and benefits. Treatments may be more costly up front, but can save you tremendously in the long run because they focus on treating illness from its root, which can prevent relapses, future illness, reduce the need for long-term care including medications, and also benefit your quality of life.
The number of treatments required will depend on your individual health concerns and will be specifically addressed during your report of findings (at your second visit). A general rule of thumb is to plan on one month of treatment for every one year you have had your health concerns. One month of treatment may include anywhere from 1 to 6 acupuncture appointments depending on whether you also take herbs and other factors.
Acupuncture can help during Western fertility treatments by promoting healthy ovarian and uterine circulation, regulating hormones, helping the body metabolize and utilize fertility medications, decreasing side effects, calming nerves and more. Visits at LHL are also a good outlet for emotional expression, provide important support and relaxation in a stressful time, and provide you with education and proactive options. Acupuncture may be given during cycles, on the day of embryo transfer or IUI, during the 2ww and beyond.
While the majority of women working at LHL do become pregnant the nature of holistic fertility, means specific diagnoses & prognoses are much more nuanced and individual. Nicole will discuss your unique specifics during your report of findings visit after reviewing your information.
At Life Healing Life the focus is not on a woman’s age, but on her level of imbalance. It is possible to be 20 years old with the reproductive imbalances of a “typical” older woman, just as it is possible to be 45 years old, with the reproductive health of a much younger woman. The level of health or imbalance is the main factor in success, not age. This can only be determined on a case-by-case basis after all the information is looked at, not just by looking at a number.
We suggest regular treatments during the first trimester (while the placenta is being formed and the hormones are undergoing dramatic changes), decreased or discontinue treatments during the second and early third trimester, and regular treatments the last two months before birth. Individual needs must be taken into consideration.
Treatments 2 - 8 weeks prior to birth are shown to help achieve easier births (less intervention, shorter duration), promote post partum recovery and a healthy milk supply.
Nicole will explain your first treatment each step of the way and always aims for you to not only be comfortable, but to thoroughly enjoy your acupuncture treatments.
For more information on what to expect in your first visits see the Treatments section of this website.
