Questions

What is Chinese medicine? It is a whole medicine system from ancient China and continues to be an integrative medicine. It includes acupuncture, moxibustion, Chinese herbs, Chinese nutrition therapy, and Asian bodywork primarily. See About Treatment and Modality pages.

What can it treat? Chinese medicine is pretty limitless. And with all the complexities of human illness, it doesn’t always work. Often it works well when other things did not. It complements western medicine so well. Western medicine can provide stability measures and lifesaving measures when disease progression has exceeded various practitioners ability to stabilize you or heal you. At that point, Chinese medicine can do very well at improving the efficacy of western medications, restore health after surgeries, and in some cases heal you so your doctor can reduce your medications. It can ease the struggles at the beginning and end of life and help those between improve their quality of life. That being said, healing is often possible for those who didn’t think it was. See Testimonial page.

How does it work? What does it do? Nobody knows how it works. There are theories out there. I do know that if I follow certain thought processes on Chinese physiology, do my job with diagnosis, and treatment planning, the body, utilizes resources differently. Examples of these are fluids, blood, and qi that affect the way organs function with one another.

Does acupuncture hurt? What if I am afraid of treatment? There are many different types and techniques to stimulate acupuncture points. Some of them are painful. Additionally, dry needle technique uses acupuncture needles. I do not practice this. The type of acupuncture I practice is gentle. I put forth significant focus on painless needling and successfully work with people who are sensitive or afraid. That being said, not every insertion is painless. I work with the patient to communicate regarding the ease the sensation. If necessary, I can use a different modality.

How often should I get treatment? Acupuncture is cumulative. I recommend weekly treatment in the beginning unless this is a barrier to treatment, then tapering off over time. Each person is different. Some situations multiple treatments a week are indicated, but rarely. If this is a barrier to treatment, talk to me. Perhaps other modalities and strategies are likely to move you toward your wellness goals.

History of Needles:
Historically the needles were a set of nine needles in various shapes and made of various substances over the ages. Today, filiform needles are sterile and made for single use. I use safety measures to protect you and myself from infection.

Did you go to school for acupuncture? Did you study online? How long is school? Yes, I went to school in a four-year graduate program at the Maryland University of Integrative Health. Very few classes were online, and no skills classes were online. The program is largely didactic and experiential. This industry is a regulated in almost every states and requires licensure from a state governing board. Some states require testing by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Schools have to be regionally accredited, just like other universities and colleges as well as being accredited by the American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

How do I pick a good practitioner? You can check on the standing of their licensure for a start. After that, you can interview the practitioner and get a sense of if they are going to support your goals? Then try them out. Because acupuncture is cumulative, I recommend trying it for six treatments to see if it will bring you where you want to go. However, it may take less than that to figure out if your particular practitioner is right for you. Additionally, there are specialties, and within Chinese medicine, there are various traditions and thought process. There are no two of us the same.

Should I tell my doctor I am starting acupuncture or Chinese herbs? It wouldn’t hurt. If you desire to avoid medication or surgery, it is important for your safety to work closely with your practitioner to monitor the progress, either further into pathology or toward heath so you and your doctor can make quality health care choices together. It may help you understand if your doctor is open to you making your own healthcare choices too.

Can I, or do I have to get off my medications? No! All medication adjustments should be supervised by your physician! Many medications and conditions it is unsafe to stop or change doses on your own. Often your condition is more stable with your medication, and I can help you improve your health, where you can work with your doctor more closely to monitor your need for them. Even though it is out of my scope, nor is it safe to recommend changes to your medication, I do need to know about your medications. Although most medications are safe with Chinese herbs, some are not, and I need to know about them. Additionally, each medication performs a function in your body. It helps me to know about the medication, to account for things I may find while diagnosing you.

Insurance? Payment plans? I do not take insurance at this time. If you cannot afford treatment, I recommend you to talk to me about your situation and discuss my policies for those who cannot afford treatment. If you are under these policies, services provided for beauty alone are not available. If you are suffering from an illness that affects your appearance, or health in other ways, or are considering taking high-risk medications for acne, and other situations, and want treatment, please talk to me about this. See Price page.

What is the difference between acupuncture and cupping? What is wet cupping? Which is more beneficial? They have different indications, and they are different modalities. Acupuncture, I stick a needle in and cupping I cause a suction with a cup over a surface. Each is helpful, and they don’t do each other’s jobs very well. I will say, I use acupuncture as a broader modality and cupping to enhance treatment when it is indicated, usually for hard, painful, knotted muscle tissue. I do not practice wet cupping. Wet cupping is when the skin is lanced, and cups are placed over these places.

Why would I consider your approach as opposed to others? Read my site. If you like call me. If we are not a good fit, there is a phrase in business, “if you are going to fail, fail fast.” So I will be forthright with you so we can pursue your treatment goals, or I can help you find someone that you feel like a can if you want. I will say, that I tend to be determined to find a way to serve when it is desired, and I utilize years of experience of critical thinking and healing experience to apply to this medicine often finding solutions for my patients.

Do you have favorite medical studies? I don’t specifically have favorites. I do have an evidence-based practice, utilizing empirical knowledge passed through generations and ancient and contemporary sources, as well as scientific studies I read from the National Institutes of Health. These help with treatment strategies. I don’t blindly follow them. Many studies of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) are poorly designed because the people doing the study do not involve a well-versed team in the nuances of the modality they were testing. Examples could be technique or dosing. Others can be well done. It is important to have a rational mind when reading about science and CAM information.

Contact

Phone: (307)220-7114

Email: susan@jaraczacupuncture.com

Locations

Currently in the process of relocating my practice to Afton, Wyoming.