Frequently Asked Questions
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete, highly refined system of diagnostics and treatment. TCM has an emphasis on treating and observing each patient as an entire system in delicate balance. While acupuncture is a widely recognized tool within the TCM medical paradigm, Tuina (traditional Chinese physical therapy) and herbology play an equally important and complimentary role. TCM has been developed over thousands of years and provides the practitioner an incredibly efficacious platform for therapy.
What does TCM treat?
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been recognized by the WHO to treat over 75 conditions (see page 23 from this WHO report) based on clinical research. The wider truth, however, is that while clinical studies are finally validating the efficacy of TCM with solid data, physicians and patients have known of the profound and wide ranging benefits of TCM for millennia. In its essence, TCM's ability to understand the body as a whole, complete system allows for addressing a profound and vast range of dis-ease.
What is Tuina?
Tuina (twee-nah) is essentially Chinese physical therapy. It is a substantial part of our practice and a crucial tool in providing effective Chinese medicine. Tuina utilizes the diagnostic and therapeutic principles of TCM, combined with specific massage techniques to help re-establish or maintain balanced health. The term itself quite literally translates to "pushing" and "grasping". The foundations of the form, structure, and application of Tuina are rooted in Chinese martial and internal arts, illustrating the importance for providers to have their own daily practices.
How many treatments will I need?
This depends on your condition. Our approach is to try to create change during the first treatment and much of the time we are successful at this. Typically, after 3-4 treatments we will know if the amount of change is in line with our therapeutic goals, and will then evaluate whether to continue with treatment or pivot accordingly. Your health is my priority; you will never be given unnecessary treatment, or treated for longer than is clinically beneficial. If I am unable to help you, we will have a conversation about other options, referrals, and modalities which may better address your issue.
Do you offer Home Visits or Telemedicine?
Yes! We understand that now can be a difficult time for some of us to follow through with in-person services. Although we cannot do tuina or acupuncture through the internet , we can do herbal consultations to get you a properly prescribed formula for your condition. Herbal formulas are a crucial tool in a practitioners toolkit.
As for patients who would prefer to receive tuina or acupuncture in the comfort of their own home, we offer this service as well. Prices reflect the time necessary for travel and treatment. Please talk to your practitioner if this is something you'd like to pursue.
Are you a licensed acupuncturist?
Yes, I am a nationally licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) with NCCAOM, and licensed to practice in the beautiful state of Arizona by the Arizona Board of Acupuncture Examiners.
Do the needles hurt?
Acupuncture needles are very different from the hypodermic needles used for Western injections. The needles we use are very thin, and we do not inject anything into the body. Acupuncture is not painful, though you may feel a slight pinch on the initial insertion. Often times patients don't feel anything upon insertion.
While resting, a range of sensations can be felt, but a lack of these sensations does not mean a lack of efficacy. These sensations can range from slow building pressure, to feelings of coolness or warmness, to tingling and even a sensation akin to electricity. Each patient, condition, and treatment will present with a varying experience.
The sensations felt during an acupuncture treatment are indicative of the body beginning to implement and embrace change.
How long do the effects of acupuncture last?
Sometimes the positive effects of acupuncture are permanent, other times the effect lasts a shorter period of time. This depends widely on the patient and their condition.
How much does it cost? Are you accepting insurance?
Acupuncture- $65
Tuina 60 Minutes- $75
Tuina 90 Minutes- $100
We accept cash, checks, credit card, and Venmo. We utilize Square for our card transactions.
At this time Driftwood Acupuncture is not accepting insurance, however we are working behind the scenes to offer this service in the future.