What is Chinese Medicine?
Chinese medicine is a complete system of medicine with its own forms of diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and therapies. Treatment strategies include Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Herbal Medicine, Cupping, Gua Sha, E-Stim, Neuro-Stim, and Food Therapy.
Do I have to believe in Acupuncture for it to work?
No. Acupuncture works whether or not you think it will. Acupuncture is even used successfully on animals, thus dispelling the notion that is simply a placebo effect.
Why should I see an acupuncturist?
There are four main reasons patients consider acupuncture treatment:
Most commonly, patients have a condition that does not respond to conventional care. They seek a treatment option that can effectively provide a solution to their healthcare issue.
Conventional treatment often requires drugs with undesirable side effects or an unwanted surgery to treat the condition; therefore an alternative medical option is sought.
Patients are taking many western drugs that are expensive, have side effects or interfere with one another. Often Chinese Medicine can treat these conditions so that the drugs can be withdrawn.
Patients seek a natural, holistic medical approach to healthcare.
Can Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine help me even if I feel healthy?
Yes, absolutely. Many patients come in for regular maintenance treatments to stay in ‘tip-top’ condition so they can fully enjoy life. Acupuncture is a powerful preventative measure to keep patients healthy throughout the year. Our physicians are trained to see subtle signs of disease processes at work before symptoms begin to interfere with daily life. Chinese Medicine effectively addresses these issues, preventing future problems from occurring. Because Acupuncture treatments are so deeply relaxing, many patients find regular, maintenance treatments beneficial for stress relief.
How long is the typical appointment?
90 minutes for a new patient visit
60 minutes for returning patient visit
Is Acupuncture covered by Insurance?
To find out about insurance billing, please talk to your Acupuncture Physician.
Do you offer free consulations?
Yes! We offer free thirty-minute initial consultations. Our skilled physicians are happy to meet with you to discuss how we can help you attain your health and wellness goals.
How can I schedule an appointment?
You may schedule an appointment here or by calling 352-727-7070.
Do you offer services other than Acupuncture and Herbal medicine?
Yes! Our physicians provide a number of different treatment options including cupping, gua sha, food therapy, meditation and visualization coaching, moxibustion, conscious breathing techniques, and qi gong instruction.
Can my practitioner recommend dietary changes to increase my health and well-being?
Yes! Our practitioners are trained in food therapy and can customize a dietary plan for your particular condition(s). Ask your practitioner for more information.
What should I expect during my visit?
During your visit, your physician will perform a thorough intake consisting of assessment of chief complaints, review of health history, and pulse diagnosis. This will be followed by the development and implementation of a customized treatment plan.
What should I wear for the Acupuncture treatments?
Wear loose fitted, comfortable clothing. You might want to bring a tank top and shorts to allow the acupuncturist easy access to the body. Most of the points needled are on the torso and limbs, below the elbows and knees. Exceptions are for pain, where local points will be used in the affected area, such as the shoulder. Paper robes are available for appropriate draping and covering if needed.
Should I keep my appointment if i’m sick?
Yes. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are highly effective for treating acute conditions, such as colds and flus, stomach viruses and headaches. Patients report immediate improvement in symptoms after acupuncture treatment or commencing herbal therapy. An oft-repeated phrase by happy patients is, “As soon as I started taking the herbs I felt better!”
Many patients call immediately to schedule a treatment when they first notice cold or flu symptoms. These include healthcare practitioners who don’t want to get their patients sick, business professionals who are too busy for a sick day or two, and patients who are chronically ill and want to ‘get this one over with, quickly’.
Does Acupuncture hurt?
People experience the needling sensation differently. Acupuncture needles are rarely described as painful, and can be quickly adjusted if the patient has a painful sensation. If any unpleasant sensation is experienced, it is often compared to a mosquito bite and disappears very quickly. More often, people describe the sensation as warming, heavy, numb, or tingling.
What if i don’t like needles?
Our physicians are skilled in multiple modalities of treatment. Acupuncture is just one of them. If you prefer not to get acupuncture, your physician will choose a different but still effective treatment strategy.
Are there any side effects to Acupuncture?
After an acupuncture treatment you will be advised to rest and drink extra water. Most people feel very relaxed and energized after an acupuncture treatment. On occasion you may experience a small bruise where a needle was inserted. This may present as an itching sensation after the needle is removed, and can be helped by applying pressure or ice for a few minutes after the treatment. If you experience any pain, large bruises, swelling, difficulty breathing, or dizziness after an acupuncture treatment, advise your Acupuncture Physician immediately.
How involved will I be in my own treatment process?
At Gainesville Holistic Healthcare, we believe that wellness is a partnership between physician and patient. Your active involvement is not only welcomed, it is necessary for you to achieve maximum health!
Can my Acupuncture Physician work with my Western Healthcare Provider to coordinate continuity of care?
Our physicians welcome the opportunity to work directly with your current healthcare providers to ensure the highest level of integrative care available. We regularly reach out to the Western medical community by sharing new research and advances in Chinese Medicine and Integrative Care.
What are the credentials, qualifications and training for your Physicians?
Our physicians each attended a nationally certified, internationally recognized top-level academic institution where they undertook extensive studies to earn their Master’s Degrees in Chinese Medicine. Additionally, each of our physicians is board certified and licensed by the State of Florida as Primary Care Physicians and Acupuncture Physicians. For further information please visit our Physicians page.