FAQs

What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a non-invasive holistic medicine that integrates the mind, body, and spirit. In acupuncture we focus on the body as an integrated whole system. During your treatment, in addition to acupuncture needles, a variety of other therapies may be used. These therapies include gua sha, cupping, moxibustion,
 electrical stimulation, tuina, shiatsu, essential oils, and lifestyle and dietary changes. When the body, mind, and
 spirit are in balance people are free to experience optimal health and the body is free of sickness and dis-ease.
 Balance in the body allows us to perform in every area of our lives to our fullest potential. Through a comprehensive diagnosis and approach to treatment Intuitive Transformations Wellness will help you awaken your healing
 potential.

 Why does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture regulates the neuroendocrine system (hormones, endorphins), stimulates the neural pathways so your brain and body communicate efficiently, increases blood flow (important because blockage and constriction contribute to disease), increases oxygen levels, reduces systemic inflammation, creates new tissue (disease causes destruction of good tissue), and it activates the parasympathetic nervous system putting you in a healing state.

How can I expect to benefit from acupuncture?
You will feel better! There are many benefits to getting acupuncture and the exact benefit you will receive will depend on what is going on with you and your body. Most people, regardless of what they are being treated for, experience a sense of relaxation, better sleep, better digestion, pain relief, and a general sense of balance and wellbeing.

How many treatments will it take?
In general you can expect 4-6 treatments for anything acute and 8 plus treatments for anything chronic. Everyone responds to acupuncture differently and has a different level of health so it is difficult to give an absolute. After the initial treatment plan is completed most people love to come get acupuncture for general health maintenance, which also varies from person to person.  

How long is a session/treatment?
The initial appointment will last from one to one and a half hours, depending on how long it takes to go over your history and what is going on with you now. After the initial treatment you can expect the treatments to take from 30 minutes to an hour.

How long does it take to feel results?
Individual results vary, depending upon the severity or duration of the condition. Most people feel some results from the first treatment and as they receive more treatments they notice that the time between feeling symptoms from their ailment increases until it resolves completely or requires less frequent maintenance treatment.

What can I expect during a treatment?
When you come in for your initial assessment and treatment we will sit down and take a comprehensive history of your health and the complaint for which you are seeking treatment. From the information you give the practitioner will assign a diagnosis, create a treatment plan, and administer the treatment.

What modalities/tools do you use for treatments?
Acupuncture incorporates a variety of modalities for treatment including acupuncture needles, cupping, moxibustion, electrical stimulation, injections, functional medicine, microneedling, tuina, shiatsu, gua sha, herbal therapy, medicinal foot soaks, herbal tea, essential oils, lifestyle and dietary changes. 

Does it hurt?
In general acupuncture isn’t painful. Some patients feel nothing and some are more sensitive in some areas with most patients falling some where in between. The needles are not hollow like the hypodermic needles that are used for taking blood, shots, etc. The acupuncture needles are solid and hair thin, you can fit 12-16 acupuncture needles into a hypodermic needle.

How often can I get acupuncture?
It is safe to get acupuncture every day if you would like and your condition warrants it. Most people in this society choose to receive acupuncture one to three times a week.

Should my activities be restricted after receiving acupuncture?
In general you do not need to restrict your activities after a treatment. It is best not to overexert yourself with physical activities and exercise and to let the treatment settle in.

What are your qualifications?
Katrina attended Southwest Acupuncture College and completed 2525.5 hours of education and clinical experience. She obtained a Master of Science in Acupuncture (M.S.Ac), studied for one month at Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine in Harbin China, passed three national boards through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), and received a license to practice through the state of Colorado regulatory department (DORA).

 Are you licensed? What are the licensing requirements for acupuncture in Colorado?
Yes, our practitioners are licensed through the state of Colorado regulatory agency (DORA) and have passed all board exams for competency in acupuncture through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Does my insurance cover it?
More and more insurance companies are now covering acupuncture and other alternative treatments. Please check with your specific insurance company regarding what they will cover.

Are there any age limits for someone to receive acupuncture?
No, there are not any age limits for receiving an acupuncture treatment. For young children needles are not used and are replaced with Sho Ni Shin tools for pediatric acupuncture. 

Why would I choose acupuncture over a different modality of treatment; chiropractic, western medicine, massage?
Each modality of treatment has its own place in helping people to achieve health and wellness. Acupuncture views the body as a whole integrated system and has been being used for thousands of years.  Most other alternative forms of treatment are based on some form/branch of Chinese medicine. 

Is there bruising?
In general, no there is not bruising. There are many small capillaries and veins that run through the body and occasionally the needles hit one and it causes some bruising. If you’re receiving cupping, gua sha, or plum blossom there may be some temporary marks left at the end of your treatment that will go away within a few days.

Is there ever any bleeding?
Yes, sometimes there is bleeding when the needles are removed. There is a specific technique called bleeding that is sometimes used in a treatment plan and the points are made to bleed on purpose.

How deep do the needles go?
The needles go to different depths depending on where they’re being inserted in the body and what internal structures are underneath the area. Most needles are inserted a quarter to a half inch.

How do I know you’re using new needles?
All of the needles we use are sterilized, disposable, and made for single use. They come pre-packaged and are sealed. I’d be happy to show the packages before your treatment.

 What are the chances of getting an infection from the needles?
The chance of getting an infection from the needles themselves is extremely rare. The needles are sterilized, disposable, and made for single use. Acupuncturists are required to follow the standards outlined by OSHA to maintain a clean and safe environment.

 What is Qi?
In Chinese the symbol for qi can be translated into several different meanings. Most commonly qi means the function of something or vital air. It is the foundational and universal energy that gives life and connection to all things. In Chinese medicine the concept of qi is broken down into specific types of qi depending on the area of the body and the function. The basic functions of qi are transforming, transporting, holding, raising, protecting, and warming.

Different types of qi:
Original qi (yuan qi) is the foundation of all yin and yang energies of the body.
Nutritive qi (ying qi) is in the interior of the body and its function is to nourish.
Defensive qi (wei qi) is on the exterior of the body and protects the body.
Food qi (gu qi) represents the first stage in the transformation of food into qi.
Gathering qi (zong qi) derives from the interaction of food qi with air and assists the heart and lungs with their functions.

Do you work in conjunction with other professionals in health and wellness?
We will consult with anyone about your case that you would like us to. If we feel that your condition needs something other than what we can provide we will give you a referral to a different health care practitioner and/or ask that you seek western medical advice.

 Are there any medications used in acupuncture?
No, acupuncture does not use any prescription medications and practitioners in Colorado are not allowed to prescribe any medications to you.