Frequently Asked Questions
Acupuncture | Hypnosis | Reiki | Shiatsu
ACUPUNCTURE
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
Acupuncture is the oldest, continuously practiced medical system in the world. This
highly effective, safe, simple and powerful form of medicine is based on natural
laws. Chi, or the movement of vital energy, moves through the body in
precise channels, effecting the body, mind and spirit. If the chi is
blocked or stuck, symptoms begin to surface. Such things as sadness or stress
can disrupt the flow of chi. By inserting needles at specific
points along the channels of chi energy, movement or harmony can be experienced. Acupuncture
treats the underlying imbalance and not just the symptom.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ACUPUNCTURE?
The World Health Organization recognizes
the ability of acupuncture to treat over 43 common disorders. Clients
committed to a healthy lifestyle, including ongoing acupuncture treatments
for maintenance and health promotion experience:
• Being sick less often and recovering more quickly
• Improvement of vitality and stamina
• Having more harmonious and richer relationships
• Reductions in long term health care costs
HOW SAFE ARE THE NEEDLES?
The needles are very safe. Only sterile, disposable needles are used. Acupuncture
needles are extremely thin (slightly thicker than a human hair)
and bear no resemblance to syringes.
DOES ACUPUCTURE HURT?
The sensations that clients report experiencing during
treatment range from nothing, to a brief ache or heaviness in the area being
needled. Some
points are more sensitive than others.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO COME FOR TREATMENT TO EXPERIENCE BENEFITS?
After the
initial consultation, ideally you will be seen in weekly one- hour sessions
for 6-8 visits. This is the amount of time it takes to realistically
experience shifts. Treatments may then be spaced out as needed. The
frequency of treatments varies with each individual.
IS ACUPUNCTURE COVERED BY INSURANCE?
Many insurance companies will reimburse
for acupuncture treatments. Consult
your insurer for the terms of coverage on your policy. It is
our policy that you file directly with your insurance carrier for reimbursement. We
will provide you with a receipt for submission with your claim. Full
payment is required at the time of treatment.
HYPNOSIS
WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?
Generally speaking, hypnosis is a mental state in which the mind is open to
positive suggestions.
WILL I LOSE CONTROL DURING HYPNOSIS?
You will always be in
control and will never do anything that goes against your beliefs. If you were the captain of the ship, the hypnotherapist
would be the navigator. You are still in charge, but he/she would get
you where you want to go and bring you back safely.
WILL I REVEAL ANY SECRETS DURING A SESSION?
Hypnosis is not a truth serum and in fact, one could lie while under hypnosis.
IS EVERYONE HYPNOTIZABLE?
As a general rule, everyone is hypnotizable. When a client says that
they can't be hypnotized, what they are really saying is they won't be hypnotized. Since
no one can be hypnotized against their will, people with control issues or inhibitions
are difficult to hypnotize. More specifically, those with below average
IQ's or those diagnosed with severe mental disabilities are more difficult, if
not impossible to hypnotize.
REIKI
WHAT IS REIKI?
Reiki is a gentle, simple, and very powerful
Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It
is based on the idea that there is a life force energy flowing through all
living things and this energy is what causes us to be alive. If our
life force energy is low or stuck, we are more likely to get sick or feel stress.
Conversely, if it is high, we are happier and healthier. In Japanese,
the word Reiki is often translated as universal or spiritually guided life
force energy.
HOW IS REIKI BEING USED?
Reiki is an ideal tool for healthcare
professionals and is now being used to compliment and enhance regular medical
treatments. In fact, The Tucson Medical Center in Arizona uses Reiki
practitioners in their Cancer Center Unit.
WHAT IS A REIKI SESSION LIKE?
A Reiki session is a wonderful
way of achieving deep relaxation, quietness of the mind, and a feeling of inner
peace and well being. It is gentle and soothing. The practitioner
places her/his hands over the client's clothing in various positions around
the head, neck, torso, legs and feet. In each position the hands are
rested gently on the body and remain still for 3-5 minutes without manipulation. Many
clients experience heat or warmth coming from the practitioner's hands. A
normal session will usually last 30 to 60 minutes.
WHAT WILL REIKI HELP?
While there can be no guarantees
on the results of a Reiki session, there are countless documented cases where
Reiki has helped in the treatment of injury, broken bones, chronic illnesses,
insomnia, stress and pain. It can also help the recipient to release
and heal emotional issues. Virtually every person comes away from a
session feeling better, more relaxed and balanced. Reiki works in conjunction
with all other medical and therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and
promote recovery.
WHO CAN HAVE A REIKI SESSION?
Reiki is safe for people of all ages, from premature babies to the elderly. Because the practitioner
uses gentle, non-manipulative touch, the session is safe for anyone regardless
of his or her state of health or physical condition. Reiki can never cause
harm and it has no side effects. Reiki has no religious ties and is complimentary
to all faiths.
SHIATSU
WHERE DOES SHIATSU COME FROM?
Shiatsu, meaning finger pressure, originated in Japan
and is an amalgamation of a few different types of bodywork practiced there
for centuries. The Japanese government licensed shiatsu as a distinct form
of bodywork in 1955. The roots and theories behind shiatsu are literally thousands
of years old, and are basically the same as the theories used for acupuncture.
Shiatsu is sometimes called acupressure.
HOW IS SHIATSU DIFFERENT FROM REGULAR MASSAGE?
Massage is different from shiatsu in that its intent
is mainly to manipulate soft tissue. The intent of shiatsu is to balance the
flow of Qi or (energy) in the meridians in the body and to improve the overall
health (physical, mental, and spiritual) of the individual as well as increase
relaxation in the soft tissue.
DO YOU USE OIL AND IS DISROBING REQUIRED ?
Traditionally,shiatsu is performed fully clothed without the use of
oils. However, I can use oils, primarily on the back, shoulders, and neck,
to loosen the musculature more effectively. I use a high grade massage
oil with arnica as one of its ingredients. Arnica is known for relieving
inflammation and decreasing pain. It also warms the body so it increases
circulation and relaxation., and has anti-bacterial properties so it helps with
acne conditons of the skin. Disrobing is required when using oils. The
client lies with a sheet and blanket on the massage table to keep covered and
warm. Only the areas that are being worked on are exposed.
WHAT DOES SHIATSU TREAT ?
Shiatsu can help almost any condition. As a therapist
I've had a particular amount of success in treating back, neck, and shoulder
pain/tension, stress, insomnia, asthma, depression, headaches, sciatica, and
digestive problems. Shiatsu is also an excellent way to prevent illness or
disease from occurring.
IS SHIATSU PAINFUL?
There can be a slight amount of discomfort
when areas that are tense or 'stuck' are released. This is usually well within
a client's pain threshold, and the benefit is that these areas are no longer
sore on a day to day basis after treatment. There are usually only a few of
these areas on the body, and the experience of discomfort is a very small percentage
of treatment time. As a therapist I prefer not to cause pain to clients, although
some small amount of discomfort is sometimes necessary. I am able to work with
individual preferences for pain tolerance.