¿FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS?
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Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM ) is a professional Medical System that nourishes the body using holist views, and treat the illnesses using natural therapies such as herbal medicines, acupuncture, Massage, food therapy, and life style adjustments.
Acupuncture is a natural therapy used in Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM ). Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago, it is now practiced worldwide, and it is endorsed by the World Health Organization ( WHO ), and recognized and promoted by the National Institute of Health ( NIH ) of the United States.
What Illness and medical conditions can be treated with Acupuncture and herbal medicines?
Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM ) is a complete medical system and there are treatments for any health condition. However, following is a list of illnesses and medical conditions that respond well to treatments with TCM:
Disorders of the Bones, Muscles, Joints and Nervous Systems, such as arthritis, migraine headaches, neuralgia, insomnia, dizziness and low back, neck and shoulder pain.
Gastrointestinal Disorders, such as food allergies, peptic ulcer, chronic diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastrointestinal weakness, anorexia and gastritis.
Gynecological Disorders, such as irregular, heavy, or painful menstruation, infertility in women and men, and premenstrual syndromes ( PMS )
Urogenital Disorders including stress incontinence, urinary tract infections and sexual dysfunction
Respiratory Disorders such as emphysema, sinusitis, asthma, allergies and bronchitis
Circulatory Disorders such as hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis and anemia
Emotional and Psychological Disorders including depression, anxiety, panic
Addictions such as alcohol, nicotine and drugs
Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders
TCM is also great for cancer patients and patients with other chronic, painful, and debilitating disorders.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments will vary from person to person. Some experience immediate relief, others may take longer to achieve results. It also depends on the illness, the stage of the illness, the treatment strategy, and the overall health status of the patient. But usually, good results are within 6-8 sessions.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
No. Acupuncture does not hurt. As a matter of fact, acupuncture is effectively used for pain relief.
Is Acupuncture always used?
No. Acupuncture is only a form of therapy available. The doctor of Oriental Medicine can use many other treatments and procedures, and the therapy most commonly used is herbal medicine, which may be in the forms of infusion/decoction, pulls, concentrated extracts, granulas, injections, enemas, and topical creams and solutions for external use.
I am receiving conventional medicine, can I also be treated with oriental medicine?
Yes, you can. As a matter of fact, acupuncture and TCM herbal medicine can be provided as primary care or a as adjunctive to a conventional treatment. And there are chronic conditions such as cancer, for which the benefits of an integrative approach has been proven better than conventional medicine alone.
Are laboratory tests and images also used in oriental medicine?
Yes, lab tests and images are also used in Oriental Medicine to assist the doctor in reaching a diagnosis or to confirming one.
Do I need a referral for Oriental Medicine?
No. You need no referral for Oriental Medicine. Doctors of Oriental Medicine ( DOMs ) are independent licensed health care providers.
Why besides treating the illness, doctors of oriental medicine, place so much emphasis on nourishing the entire body?
In oriental medicine, the body is seen as a garden that needs to be organized, cultivated, and nourished. This is the Oriental holistic view of attaining and preserving health and longevity.
If acupuncture and oriental medicine have been effective for the Chinese and others, can it also be good for me?
The answer is of course. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is an effective natural system of health that can benefits everyone.
When a doctor prescribes Chinese herbal remedies, where the patient obtains those products?
There are large TCM herbal medicine companies that manufacture, import, or supply quality traditional herbal products which they distribute to licensed practitioners. TCM herbal formulas are provided to the patient right at the doctor’s clinic.
While herbal medicine remains classified as health supplements in the U.S., some herbal medicines are restricted by the FDA, and should be used or administered under professional licensed only. Your doctor of Oriental Medicine can legally prescribe herbs to you.
Will my insurance cover it?
Most Health Insurance Plan, specially PPOs pay for acupuncture and also for other wellness procedures services, when medically necessary. Please call your insurance company to ask if your policy covers acupuncture. If your insurance policy does not currently cover acupuncture, please let your voice be heard on this issue. Acupuncture is considered one of the most effective therapies for certain medical conditions, such as for pain relief, for reducing nauses and vomit from chemotherapy, and alleviating xerostomia from radiation therapy, etc. A health insurance plan that does not cover acupuncture is a “defective” one. Again, most health insurance plans do cover acupuncture.
How can I find a qualified provider?
Doctors of Oriental Medicine ( DOM ), also known as acupuncture physicians, are Florida State Licensed primary care providers. To verify if a doctors has a license, just visit Florida Department of Health ( DOH ) on the internet. Having a license to practice does not guarantee the success of treatment, but at least the patient has a way to verify that the provider has the basic knowledge required to practice acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. In Oriental Medicine, if for some reason you are not getting the results you expected or would like a second opinion, you can always go to another doctor. Just like you would do in conventional medicine. A way to located a practitioner is by a local search on the Internet, the yellow pages, or just by asking friends for reference.