Mr. Michael andrew Chow, MAOM, LAC

The acupuncture points to treat heavily depend on the correct diagnosis. Without more specific information it is difficult to diagnose appropriately. But there is a cure-all acupuncture point, I believe the most common and famous that can help with stomach issues as well. It is called He Gu (large intestine 4) and is located between the webbing of the first (index) finger & thumb.
With a stomach issue, you may notice that the metacarpal bone may be most tender in the middle; that should be the area to focus on. But please see your primary or let a professional at least diagnose what may be going on. Of course if the situation becomes emergent or worsens. call 911.

There are treatments with acupuncture for smoking cessation. But research
shows dedication to the treatments are the most effective. It would focus

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) ear ringing can be due to several causes. One way to differentiate the severity is if the ringing is high-pitched or low-pitched. Usually, low pitch is related to gradual chronic tinnitus whereas the high pitch is more acute, sudden & more difficult to treat. The prognosis will depend on the severity of the condition, but even with my difficult-to-treat tinnitus patients have had some relief from the acupuncture treatments. Check with your primary to make sure alternative medicine would be a good option for you.

Acupuncture has been shown in research to both help reduce alcoholism and help treat the withdrawal effects. Generally, acupuncture on the ear is more effective for alcoholism along with electroacupuncture (EA), acupuncture with leads attached to the needles for electro stimulation. The patient should check with their primary to make sure this alternative medicine would be a good option for them.
- Live Happy, Michael

We always take into account energy levels. Just like if you’ve skipped a
meal before treatment, you can likely passout. So, we can boost energy or
help release.
Check with your primary to see if alternative medicine would be of
benefit to you.
- Live Happy, Michael

I’m very sorry to hear this and it may be concerning. It’s difficult to
tell what is going on as I do not know your condition or the acupuncture
points the practitioner used. You should definitely contact that
practitioner and let them know of your symptoms. If things change
negatively, go to the ER or seek your primary’s advice.
- Live Happy, Michael

Without a specific foot pain location, pressure points around the site of pain would be the easiest. We refer those to Ah Shi points, in modern medicine they’re more akin to trigger points. In any case, check with your primary for the best medicine to help treat your ailment(s).
- Live Happy, Michael

Yes! Acupuncture is great for reducing swelling and helping regulate the
body at cellular levels for a healthier lifestyle & function. Check with
your primary to make sure alternative medicine would help for your
condition. - Live Happy, Michael

Some of these side effects do tend to happen. And sometimes they can last longer than a day. I would suggest you let your practitioner know and let them try to resolve it. Sometimes it takes more acupuncture to take care of the acupuncture. If symptoms become severe see your primary or seek emergency services.

Acupuncture for back pain depends on other symptoms that an acupuncturist would look for. Usually checking the tongue & pulse adds to a more accurate diagnosis. Generally speaking, acupuncture for back pain is usually local where the pain manifests. Acupuncture locally helps provide alpha-adenosine at the site to help relax the muscles exactly how massages work, only deeper & at the cellular level.
Definitely check with your primary to get a better understanding of what is causing the back pain and relate it to the acupuncturist to figure out the best method of treatment.

Usually, this can be related to skipping breakfast/meal before having the acupuncture treatment where the effect of the treatment is draining the body’s energy. But if symptoms worsen definitely go to the ER. It’s best to contact the practitioner and let them know your symptoms
as they can determine if it was an effect of their treatment or otherwise.

I always say acupuncture is very individualized. Everyone experiences for themself and it can be very different from the next person. Some can feel the effects right away & some will feel delayed effects. What typically happens if this is your first experience with acupuncture, you will feel a great relief/drastic change with this initial visit. But following visits 2-4 will be plateaued and no longer drastic, so some think it was a false-hope. But by the 5th or so of the treatment you will get a noticeable change again.
There’s just a cycle it goes through as your circulation/circadian cycle is being treated as well. As you’re progressing, discuss with your practitioner your results and they should have a more accurate prognosis for your condition.

It depends on your individual response to the acupuncture treatments. Some
rely on a monthly maintenance; but I have been able to help my patients
push out further to quarterly or annual maintenance visits.
Check with your primary first to see if alternative medicine is a
good fit for you.
- Live Happy, Michael

Acupuncture can be very individualized. I have treated patients with acute headaches that will require monthly maintenance and I have treated some patients with chronic headaches that would come once every quarter. Depending on the cause of your headaches, your practitioner should be able to give you the best prognosis and determine how frequently you should come for treatments. Check with your primary first if you haven’t.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is very different from modern medicine: instead of diagnosing someone as having the flu or a cold, TCM will further differentiate as a ‘heat-related or ‘cold-related cold/flu. Sometimes even saying ‘wind’ is involved depending on the symptoms presented. The same goes for a migraine, thus placing the needles to treat migraine also depends on the symptoms presented and the practitioner’s diagnosis. A common acupuncture point to use, but not guaranteed, is He Gu (Large intestine 4) located before the webbing between the index fingers and the thumbs of the hands. Check with your primary to see if alternative medicine would be a good option for your condition - Live Happy, Michael

Acupuncture for insomnia would hurt just as regular acupuncture treatments hurt. Closer to the nerves like the fingers & toes can be very sensitive to the initial pricks but more points along the body are very painless. Check with your primary to see if alternative medicine is a
a good option for your condition & Salud!

We have a saying in Chinese medicine (TCM), “Qi is the commander of blood” & “Blood is the mother of qi.” Much like with modern medicine/research, blood is imperative for our lives and functioning bodies. Qi can be the product of the circulation like energy/electricity from the river. Because this quote is the essence of TCM, we have a great understanding of how we can use acupuncture to help with blood circulation.

For the various blood circulation issues sometimes we will incorporate or focus on using herbal supplemental formulas from ancient China. In any case, check with your primary to see if you would be a good candidate for alternative medicine. If you are on blood medications, definitely check with both your primary & acupuncturist before changing doses etc.

- Live Happy, Michael

Acupuncture has a good record in research for benefiting pregnancy. There is about a 67-73% increase with the use of acupuncture, and that increase also works for in-vitro chances as well. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the main focus is to concentrate on a regular menstrual cycle flow to keep things properly flowing. Then the treatments would focus on the current stage of the cycle. When the flow is proper for a couple of good cycles then the couple can concentrate on procreating. There is even acupuncture for mommy & baby once you’re pregnant. Check with your primary & OB/GYN to make sure you would be a good candidate for alternative medicine & best wishes!

- Live Happy, Michael

Having flu-like symptoms after acupuncture is a possibility, especially during this COVID season. I warn all my patients after the initial visit to wait at least a week to see how they respond to the acupuncture. Sometimes they feel immediate relief, sometimes the relief doesn’t come until the end of the week. I’ve had some patients feel itchy right after and some who are allergic to metal/nickel which definitely can have a reaction to the standard acupuncture needles. Acupuncture sometimes is a way to reset the body into harmonizing itself. Usually, the patient feels subdued and so your immune system may even be down a bit before recuperating after the night. Definitely check with your primary to see if alternative medicine is a good option for you and mention this effect to your practitioner. The next treatment they can try to boost your immune system & prevent such side effects.

Acupuncture can easily cause pain or damage if the practitioner is negligent or untrained. Pain can be from the skin grabbing onto the needle or the needle touching a nerve and/or worse. As an acupuncturist, we have the ancient knowledge to avoid medical anatomical risks.
A most common associated injury is pneumothorax, where the needle has pierced through the skin and even farther internally into the lungs creating a hole that releases the needed pressure in the lung cavity to escape and the lung fails to inflate. Many states have stopped physical therapists & other lesser professionals untrained and/or licensed for acupuncture in order to prevent any more injuries like this. A good pain felt during an acupuncture treatment is known as ‘De Qi.’ Deqi is the gathering of life energy/circulation (qi) at an acupuncture point during treatment and is commonly felt as a dull, pulling ache at the site. Ideally, it’s best to get that sensation at all the acupuncture spots but even if you’re too sensitive to it you can let your practitioner know & they will ease the pressure. Check with your primary to make sure alternative medicine is a good option for your condition.