As Acupuncturists and practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine we get some of the most interesting questions. Below are a few of my favorite questions that I have captured over my years of practice.
"I Have a Question for You, but Please, Don't be Offended"
I had a patient recently start a conversation in a very dramatic way: “I have a question for you but please, please don’t be offended.” Obviously, she instantly had me bracing for impact, but I told her to go ahead and ask her question. “Do you wash your hands between patients?” she asked. I had to laugh hard — that was really her question!?
It was nothing as compared to the questions I have been frequently asked over the years, so I thought of addressing some of the common misconceptions regarding acupuncture, depending on some of the more colorful questions I’ve been asked in the past (and yes, I do wash my hands between each patient if I am going to be doing acupuncture. I am just making sure you’re warm enough or comfortable, only then I will skip it).
I am thinking about acupuncture but want to inform you that I am Christian
There is nothing in an acupuncture treatment that will harm you whether you are Christian or from any religion. This is a medicine practice originating back to thousands of years and has been scientifically confirmed many times. And while we’re on the topic, I never talk religion or politics in my treatment rooms, so please feel free to skip them too.
My doctor told me I should give acupuncture a try, but I don’t like any spells or potions.
Got it. No spells or potions. Next question, please.
My friend refers to acupuncture office as The Voodoo Village. Does this bother you?
Nope, my own mother loves to call me as a witch doctor. She’s just kidding — remember, we don’t do spells or potions. In all honesty, this stuff can be weird, so I get all the jokes. And if you’ve visited us, you know we will probably beat you to the punch line every single time.
Do you reuse needles?
No. Acupuncturists are held to using something called "Clean Needle Technique" which means we must use sterile, single-use needles unless we autoclave them and that’s so 1990s! I will occasionally make a joke in poor taste about just throwing the needles in the dishwasher at the end of the night, but all jokes aside, your safety and health are my priority.
How long you people have to go to school?
I think there is a misunderstanding that acupuncturists are similar to massage therapists having about a year of training. In real, we’re trained more like doctors. We need to complete an undergraduate degree and then get three-to-four year master’s degree, which comprises of classes and clinical practice… makes around 3,500 hours.
As acupuncture gains recognition and acceptance, it is being used as a primary health care and we are often people’s first stop for any issue. We are trained heavily in pharmaceuticals and western diagnosis as well as the Traditional Chinese Medicine side so that we know how to handle the variety of issues we see, and so that we know when to refer out to other health care professionals.
Can you believe that my doctor recommended me to try acupuncture?
Yes, yes I can believe that. Please go through above question about the medicine that is very old, heavily researched, and proven
So should I believe in it to work - is it all in my head?
As veterinary acupuncture and pediatric acupuncture gains grip, I think witness more kids and animals responding pretty well to acupuncture — and they are uncertain that they should get better, so they are a true examples demonstrating to us that this just in your head.
As they say...
There are no stupid questions,
...and as you can see here, we’ve heard a lot of potentially “offensive” questions.
However, if you’re considering it, somebody else is definitely too. Ask whatever questions plague you, but when this modality works, and it will, be sure to tell your friends that acupuncture is not just for the outliers and hippies … you don’t know how or why, but it worked for you and it might work for them too.
Dr. Jana Royer-Morian is a practitioner of Chinese medicine and is focused on providing her patients with thorough, individualized, and comprehensive care treating a variety of specific conditions and symptoms. She is the owner and provides acupuncture at Inspired Wellness Center to the Denver, Arvada, Westminster, Golden and Lakewood communities. In addition to treating diseases, Dr. Jana promotes preventative health, wellness and patient empowerment utilizing a combination of techniques that may include acupuncture, bodywork, cupping, moxibustion, Chinese herbs, dietary and self-care recommendations. Her recommendations are based on her current knowledge and clinical experience.
