FAQ

• Why should I use Oriental medicine?
  Conventional medicine has become very effective in suppressing symptoms, but in my opinion, it often fails to address the source of the problems. When this happens, medications need to be taken in a long-term, their dosages increase over time, and the number of medications increases as our bodies build tolerance. Because most medications have side effects, your problem becomes more complex as you take more medications.
  
  Oriental medicine emphasizes the importance of prevention and addresses the source of the problems, and I think that's how medicine should be. While I don't advocate using Oriental medicine solely for everything, I believe that it should be used as the first line of defense, reserving medications for when you really need them.
• Does acupuncture hurt?
  I use gentle needling technique, and most patients that I have treated reported no discomfort or very little sensations. Acupuncture needles come in different gauges, so if you are very needle-sensitive, I'll choose thinner needles.
• Do you reuse needles?
  No. Your safety is our top priority.
• Does it really work? My doctor thinks it is just a placebo.
  A lot of researches are being conducted on acupuncture and its mechanism today, and while we still don't know the exact mechanism from biomedicine's perspective, many clinical trials have reported that acupuncture treatments surpass conventional medications in terms of quality-of-life measures.
• How soon can I see the result?
  It depends. In general, acupuncture responds more quickly to acute conditions, and this is why I highly recommend that you seek treatment at an early stage.
• How often do I need to see you?
  For most conditions, I ask patients to come back either weekly or bi-weekly. For some cases, I suggest more frequent visits.
• How long is the treatment session?
  It usually lasts 30 to 50 minutes. The initial session involves asking more questions, so it generally lasts longer.
• Can I go back to work or exercise after the treatment?
  For most conditions, you can go back to work or exercise after the treatment. I do ask that the patients take it easy on the day of the treatment. If you are being treated for common cold, I will very likely to ask you to go home, take herbs, and rest.
• Who can practice acupuncture in Texas?
  A licensed acupuncturist in Texas must graduate from an acupuncture school that has been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), have 1,800 hours of acupuncture training from an accredited acupuncture school, and pass National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) certification exam.
  
  On the other hand, Medical doctors (M.D.) and doctors of osteopathy (D.O.) have no minimum requirements to practice acupuncture in the state of Texas, and chiropractors only need 100 hours of training in acupuncture and are not required to take any examination to test their skills.
• Do you accept insurance?
  We do not accept insurance at this time, but we believe that our fees are comparable to insurance co-payments. Most insurance policies have a limit on the number of acupuncture treatments and do not cover herbs.

If you have any questions or comments, please send it to tomoya@akashiacu.com