Acupuncture Health Insights » About Acupuncture

Just How Deep Do Acupuncture Needles Go?

Lynn Jaffee — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:03:30 +0000

As an acupuncturist, I get all kinds of questions from new patients about how acupuncture works, what I’m doing during my treatments, and how long will it take to get better. However, I probably get more questions about acupuncture needles from first-timers than any other topic.

One of the most frequent questions (and interestingly, this is usually from men) is how many needles have I used on them. This is an easy one; I just stop and count them up. I’m also asked a . . . → Read More: Just How Deep Do Acupuncture Needles Go?

Eleven Things My Patients Have Taught Me

Lynn Jaffee — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:49:59 +0000

Every single patient I see in my acupuncture clinic is unique. They have their personal lifestyle, specific struggles, and each has very different needs. The one thing that never changes from patient to patient is that I learn something from each and every one. Most of the time I learn little bits and pieces about being a better acupuncturist, but every once in a while, I am dealt a major life lesson.

Mostly what I learn is about the practice of acupuncture and Chinese . . . → Read More: Eleven Things My Patients Have Taught Me

Acupuncture for Pain Relief

Lynn Jaffee — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:54:27 +0000

As an acupuncturist, I regularly see people in pain; people with arthritis, blown out backs, sprained ankles, sciatica, headaches, and those recovering from surgery. If you’ve ever suffered from a painful condition, you know that your particular pain is unique. It can be dull and achy, sharp and stabbing, throbbing, burning, or it can feel electric. The pain may come and go or be ever-present. It may wake you at night or change with the weather.

What causes pain? There are actually a number . . . → Read More: Acupuncture for Pain Relief

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

Lynn Jaffee — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:48:01 +0000

I can spot people with a fear of needles from a mile away, especially at health fairs, talks, or community events. When they see that I’m an acupuncturist, their eyes meet mine for an instant, then their gaze slides to the floor and they keep on walking. The needle-shy, those people who only think of the needles when someone mentions acupuncture, are often the ones who have had painful shots, blood draws, or some other traumatic medical procedure involving needles.

It’s unfortunate; there are so many people with . . . → Read More: Does Acupuncture Hurt?

Eight Things Your Acupuncturist Should Be Telling You

Lynn Jaffee — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:34:17 +0000

I love people who ask a lot of questions! That person on the phone who has endless questions about acupuncture isn’t annoying me at all; they’re doing their homework before trying out a new practitioner and for most, a new system of healing.

If you’re trying acupuncture for the first time, you want to know if acupuncture can help your particular problem, and that’s a good place to start. There are, however, some other questions that you should also have answered, even if you . . . → Read More: Eight Things Your Acupuncturist Should Be Telling You

Nine Tips for Choosing the Right Acupuncturist

Lynn Jaffee — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:28:26 +0000

If you’ve never had acupuncture before, finding an acupuncturist can feel a little like playing the slots in Vegas—a real gamble. You have decided to try a different kind of medicine, one that feels, um…a little foreign, and you have no clue how to find the right person for you. You don’t know what to expect—will there be beaded curtains, tie dyed wallpaper, funny music, and people walking around in Earth Shoes, or will it look like any other health care clinic?

The simple . . . → Read More: Nine Tips for Choosing the Right Acupuncturist

From Skeptic to Believer: One Woman’s Story

Lynn Jaffee — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:19:18 +0000

I love guest bloggers! The following is a post from Joy Paley, a science and technology writer from Berkeley, CA. After foregoing chemistry research for writing 4 years ago, she’s focused on her passion of making science relevant to the everyday person. You can read her work in The Journal of the American Chemical Society and on An Apple a Day. She’s also not afraid to make herself a human guinea pig for the good of the masses, and she finally gave acupuncture a . . . → Read More: From Skeptic to Believer: One Woman’s Story

Chinese Medicine for the Common Cold

Lynn Jaffee — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:57:25 +0000

Ah choo! It’s not a Chinese phrase, but it may mean that you’re coming down with a cold. We’ve all had them. You’re miserable, but not sick enough to stay home from work. You think your runny nose is finally getting better, but then the whole thing sinks into your chest or you lose your voice. You’re achy, your throat hurts, and you can’t sleep. Life really bites when you have a cold.

So what does Chinese medicine have to offer in the way . . . → Read More: Chinese Medicine for the Common Cold

Can You Afford Not to Have Acupuncture?

Lynn Jaffee — Tue, 11 May 2010 19:45:39 +0000

There was a great article on acupuncture in the New York Times last week. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine is on its way to becoming mainstream in this country. However, don’t count of your health insurance to foot the bill, which was the point of the article.

The reality is that some health insurance plans do cover acupuncture, but most do not. Another reality is that many acupuncture practitioners have chosen not to accept health insurance payments for their services. And for good reasons, too, . . . → Read More: Can You Afford Not to Have Acupuncture?

The Healing Process Begins with Listening

Lynn Jaffee — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:10:08 +0000

Several years ago, Tony, a businessman in his early 50’s came to me to be treated for stress and weight issues. In some ways, Tony was larger than life. He was a large man with a commanding presence and a strong voice. He shared with me that in his younger days, he put in his full measure of time on the party circuit. In his past, he struggled with alcohol abuse, but had quit drinking many years ago.

During his first appointment, Tony . . . → Read More: The Healing Process Begins with Listening