TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword 9
Why write this book? 9
Who am I to write this book? 9
How to use this book 11
What's with the capitalization? 12
1. What Are the Foundational Concepts of Acupuncture? 13
What is Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM)? 13
What are Yin and Yang? 16
What is Qi? 20
What is Five Element (Phase) Theory? 23
What does the Earth Element (Phase) represent? 28
What does the Metal Element (Phase) represent? 31
What does the Water Element (Phase) represent? 35
What does the Wood Element (Phase) represent? 39
What does the Fire Element (Phase) represent? 43
Why are emotions so important in Traditional East Asian Medicine? 48
How does an acupuncturist formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan? 57
2. How Does Acupuncture Work? 63
What is acupuncture? 63
What are acupuncture channels or meridians? What are acupoints? 65
How many acupuncture points are there? 66
How does the acupuncturist pick which acupoints to use? 69
What does acupuncture actually do? 72
What can acupuncture not do? 74
Does acupuncture heal? 76
Is acupuncture pseudoscience or real? 78
Is acupuncture just placebo? 82
3. How Can Acupuncture Help Me? 87
Will acupuncture help my problem? 87
Can you use acupuncture as preventative medicine? 88
When should I think about getting an acupuncture treatment? 91
Does acupuncture treat pain? 93
What is the success rate of acupuncture? 94
Can I use acupuncture with other methods for my issues? 98
4. What is the Ideal Timing Between My Acupuncture Treatments? 101
How quickly does acupuncture work? 101
How long do the benefits of acupuncture last? 102
How do you know if acupuncture is working? 105
How often do I have to go for treatment? 108
5. What Are the Side Effects and Risks of Acupuncture? 111
Is acupuncture safe? What are the risks of acupuncture? 111
Do the needles hurt? 114
Can I have acupuncture even though I'm on a blood thinner or anti-clotting medication? 116
Does acupuncture cause scarring? 118
Does acupuncture interfere with my other medical treatments? 119
Is acupuncture safe for children? For physically challenged people? For elderly people? 121
Does acupuncture cause infections? 123
6. What Are the Logistics of Acupuncture Treatment? 125
What should I expect at a treatment? 125
How should I prepare for an appointment? 127
Why does the acupuncturist want to see my tongue and feel my wrists? 130
Where do the needles go? 133
What are acupuncture needles made of? 134
7. Who Practices Acupuncture and How Are They Trained? 137
How Are Acupuncturists Trained? 137
Do acupuncturists take board exams? 139
Are acupuncturists licensed medical providers? 141
Where can I find a trusted, good, and/or safe acupuncturist? 143
What other kinds of things can an acupuncturist do? 145
What other kinds of practitioners can use acupuncture needles? 149
What is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling? 151
8. What is the Historical Background of Acupuncture? 159
What is the history of acupuncture in the West? 159
How does the thought theory of acupuncture differ from conventional medicine? 163
9. How Do I Pay for Acupuncture Treatments? 169
Do any insurance companies cover acupuncture? 169
How do I submit to my insurance company for reimbursement? 171
Does Medicare cover acupuncture? 174
Does Medicaid cover acupuncture? 174
How much does a treatment cost? 175
How can I find low cost options for acupuncture treatment? 176
Conclusion 179
References 181
Acknowledgments 195
About the author 197
