Neilly A. Buckalew

Thank you for you question.

There are many points used on the head. Standard precautions for needles should keep it safe. With any needle on any part of the body there is a risk of bleeding, infection, or puncturing something that was not intended. If you have any questions, ask your acupuncturist.

Be Well,

B

Thank you for your question.

The placement of the needles depends on what the acupuncturist is trying to balance/treat. Most acupuncturists use the world health organization (WHO) meridian map to choose acupuncture points. There are 361 points to choose from using this structure.

Kind Regards,

B

Thank you for your question.

The simple answer is, yes, it can. But, the important question is, is it necessary? Any treatment should serve a purpose and treatment goal.

Kind regards,
B


Thank you for your question.

I do not treat infertility per se.

In general, acupuncture is based on your specific needs and imbalances in the Tradition Chinese Medicine model, hence needle placement can vary.

Speak with your acupuncturist about your treatment plan and needle placement, and the rational for the chosen points. Placement can also change from session to session based on your response.

Kind Regards,
Dr. B

Thank you for your question,

That is very patient specific question the number of sessions needed. Please speak with your acupuncturist about what they anticipate your plan of care will look like.

Be well,

Dr. B



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How many acupuncture sessions does it take to see results?

I am a 27 year old male with headaches. I want to know how many acupuncture sessions does it take to see results?



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Thank you for your question.

Without know the cause of your Vertigo and history, it is hard to answer this question.

In very general, there has been research that supports treating certain types of Vertigo effectively.

It is important to make sure you have a medical doctor evaluate you to determine what is causing your Vertigo and that it is not a serious medical issue that would be best first treated medically.

Kind Regards,
B

No, it should not hurt. If the area continues to hurt and does not stop within the next day, you should have a medical doctor exam the area. I am not your treating doctor, hence I can only make a suggestion not a diagnosis. Use common sense in caring for yourself.

Dr. Buckalew

Thank you for your question.

If you have been medically diagnosed with sciatica, there is a possibility that acupuncture can help. If you’re diagnosing yourself with sciatica, I cannot say one way or the another. Sciatica despite medical diagnosis in the primary care arena, is often misdiagnosed. I recommend seeing a sports medicine doctor or physiatrist to confirm if you have sciatica and hence make an accurate treatment plan.

Kind regards,

Dr.B

Thank you for your question,

Since it is uncertain to me how you arrived at a diagnosis of spinal stenosis or what your physical complaints are it’s difficult to offer any insight as to whether acupuncture will be helpful for you. That said, often people equate spinal stenosis with back pain. Acupuncture in general can help with back pain irrespective of what’s causing it.

Be well,

Dr. B

Thank you for your question,

There are several types of inflammatory arthritis. In Westernized medical research, a meta-analysis looking at all available good quality clinical trials researching acupuncture for rheumatoid arthritis shows that it can help with pain relief, physical function, and quality of life. The types of treatments did vary in these studies, such as needle placement. (This is actually the norm, because when we place needles it depends on each person’s specific needs - though there are some common needle placements given a condition such as rheumatoid arthritis.)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/30569405/?i=58&from=acupuncture%20inflammatory%20arthritis

The effects of acupuncture on the mechanism of inflammatory arthritis have not been directly studied in humans. It has been in animal studies showing promise to directly decrease inflammation. The paradigm of Traditional Chinese Medicine of which acupuncture is based on, proposes that any inflammatory condition can be treated with acupuncture. As stated above, treatment protocol would depend on what your specific needs are.

Be Well,

Dr. Buckalew

Good day,

Thank you for your question. In, general acupuncture has been found to be helpful with osteoarthritis and muscular skeletal pain.
Hope that you can find a skilled acupuncturist that can help.

Kind Regards,

Dr. B

Thank you for your question,

When I do acupuncture on a patient, I make sure that before they drive they are fully alert. For some acupuncture can be deeply relaxing. I also use the massage technique of Tuina to help reinvigorate a patient. In some cases, I provide peppermint tea if appropriate. Drinking something healthy afterwards is always helpful, such as spring water or unsweetened green tea. Some of the acupuncture points that we work on activate the kidneys for cleansing purposes. I don’t know your specifics. Your acupuncturist should be able to help you with understanding what effects are trying to be achieved and what the next best steps are.

Kind regards,

Dr. B

Thank you for your question. A true shellfish food allergy cannot be cured with acupuncture. Because a shellfish allergy can be life-threatening, it would be unethical to test this theory out.

Kind regards,

Dr. B

Thank you for your question,

If your pain is caused from muscular skeletal issues such as tension or arthritis, generally acupuncture is safe and can be helpful for neck pain. Talk with your primary care physician about the cause of your neck pain and options, and take the time to find a skilled, well-trained, and appropriately credentialed/licensed acupuncturist.

Kind regards,

Dr. Buckalew

Thank you for your question,

No one‘s ever asked that before. I usually tell people to drink water or a weak tea, like green tea no sweetener, after any kind of treatment that has the likelihood of affecting your metabolism and or your kidneys. This would include acupuncture. I usually advise not to drink too much right before treatment so you don’t have to use the bathroom while the needles are in!

Be well,

Dr. Buckalew

Thank you for your question.

Your question is a very good one, and not one that can be answered easily. There are many possibilities and the question has inspired entire careers to find the answers. There is also the conflict between how Traditional Chinese Medicine explains itself and how a Westernized system would explain the effects.

The simplest answer I provide patients, is that for 15-20 minutes, you are relaxed in a quite place and being cared for. This alone will support the mind and body's "rest and digest" nervous system and all the positive effects that comes from resting. This is a Western perspective. Again, a Western perspective - It is possible the needles in certain points activate the brain directly as shown in brain imaging studies and changes resting heart rate as well as variability (a strong maker of health). How these things happen, we cannot say in the Western paradigm.

From a Traditional Chinese perspective, over 1000s of years the associations of the points and associated effects became understood and created this system. It is a complicated and nuanced system that has no Western equivalent. It is an endeavor worth trying with an experienced acupuncturist given the very high benefit and extremely low-risk profile.

Kind regards,

B

Thank you for your question. It is great you are searching for ways to improve your health and feel good about yourself. There is no acupuncture treatment for abdominal fat, per se. Weight loss generally requires support from many health professionals. Abdominal fat can be challenging. Research has shown chronic stress can make losing abdominal fat difficult. Hence, indirectly acupuncture can help in this circumstance by addressing stress relief. Diet and exercise are the key to weight loss, and having someone support you in sticking wit your goals and how to set them in a way that you find success over disappointments. Another thing that gets missed with weight loss is good and consistent sleep. Acupuncture in some instances may help with this.

Be well,

Dr. B

Thank you for your question,

That certainly can be frustrating having difficulties conceiving. The first most important thing is have a physician, a medical doctor who specializes in fertility, to be evaluated for the reasons. That includes looking at both you and your husband.

I wish you the best of luck,

Dr. B


Thank you for this question.

The simple answer is yes, acupuncture can aid in managing osteoarthritis of the knee.

A well integrated plan is best that includes diet, and guided exercise by an experienced professional such as physical therapist,.

Be well,
Dr. B

Thank you for your question,

With respect osteoarthritic knee pain there is good evidence that acupuncture can help. Not only acupuncture, but acupuncture with electrical stimulation can be helpful where a very small current is put through the needles. Something to discuss with your acupuncturist. I recommend an integrative management plan that combines acupuncture, myofascial release, and physical therapy.

Be Well,
Dr. B