Thank you for visiting Living Water Acupuncture.
On this page you will find the answers to some commonly asked questions. If you have questions that are
not answered on this page, please use the contact page to send an email or call 509-460-1286. Thank you.
 | What is acupuncture? | |
| What are Chinese herbs? | |
| Can acupuncture and/or Chinese herbs help me? | |
| Will it hurt? | |
| How will I take my herbs? | |
| What about Non-needle acupuncture? | |
| How many times will I have to come before I feel better? | |
| What other methods of treatment do you use? |
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a safe and effective ancient medical practice, developed in China over the course of
or vital energy, flows through the human body in channels or meridians. Imbalances and blockages in Qi can
affect the body in many ways including poor health and pain.
Using tiny, sterile, single use stainless steel needles inserted into specific locations in the body, acupuncture
can redirect energy, remove blockages, and relieve discomfort.
For a more in depth introduction to Acupuncture and how it works, please use the link here.
Today it is used throughout the world and promoted by both the World Health Organization and the National
Institutes of Health.
What are Chinese herbs?
There are thousands of Chinese herbs and several hundred in common use throughout the world. Generally
the herbs are of plant origin, some of which are common household items such as cinnamon, orange peel,
mint and ginger. Others are of animal or mineral origin such as talc, oyster shell and cuttlefish bone.
Chinese herbal medicine is a highly developed medical system which uses herbs both internally and externally
in the treatment of any kind of disease.
For a more in depth introduction to Chinese herbs please click here.
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| Can Acupuncture and/or Chinese herbs help me? The World Health Organization recognizes over 100 diseases and conditions which can be successfully treated with acupuncture and herbs. These include but are not limited to: |
Gynecological
Fibroids
Infertility
Irregular Cycle
Labor Induction
Menopause
Malpositioned Fetus
Morning Sickness
No Menstrual Cycle
Ovarian Cysts
Painful Menstrual Cycle
Heavy Menstrual Cycle
PCOS
PMS
Fibroids
Infertility
Irregular Cycle
Labor Induction
Menopause
Malpositioned Fetus
Morning Sickness
No Menstrual Cycle
Ovarian Cysts
Painful Menstrual Cycle
Heavy Menstrual Cycle
PCOS
PMS
Musculoskeletal
Arthritis
Back and Neck Pain
Bruising and Trauma
Bursitis and Tendinitis
Carpal Tunnel
Enhancing Athletic Performance
Gout
Muscle Cramps and Weakness
General Pain Management
Hip and Knee Pain
Shoulder, Wrist and Arm Pain
Sciatica
Sports Injuries
Sprain
Arthritis
Back and Neck Pain
Bruising and Trauma
Bursitis and Tendinitis
Carpal Tunnel
Enhancing Athletic Performance
Gout
Muscle Cramps and Weakness
General Pain Management
Hip and Knee Pain
Shoulder, Wrist and Arm Pain
Sciatica
Sports Injuries
Sprain
Neurological
Bladder dysfunction
Headaches
Migraines
Post-operative pain
Stroke
Bladder dysfunction
Headaches
Migraines
Post-operative pain
Stroke
Respiratory
Allergies
Asthma
Bronchitis
Common Cold
Sinusitis
Smoking Cessation
Allergies
Asthma
Bronchitis
Common Cold
Sinusitis
Smoking Cessation
Emotional
Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
Irritability
Postpartum Depression
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
Irritability
Postpartum Depression
Stress
Digestive
Abdominal Pain
Constipation
Diarrhea
Indigestion
Hyperacidity
IBS
Abdominal Pain
Constipation
Diarrhea
Indigestion
Hyperacidity
IBS
Miscellaneous
Chronic Fatigue syndrome Infectious Disease
Dermatology Pediatric disorders
Disorders of the Sense Organs Side-effects from Chemotherapy Fybromyalgia
Urogenital disorders Weak Immune System
High blood pressure Weight Loss / Gain
Hypo/Hypertension
Chronic Fatigue syndrome Infectious Disease
Dermatology Pediatric disorders
Disorders of the Sense Organs Side-effects from Chemotherapy Fybromyalgia
Urogenital disorders Weak Immune System
High blood pressure Weight Loss / Gain
Hypo/Hypertension
Will it hurt?
Acupuncture is surprisingly painless. The needles used are smaller than most human hair, and a good
practitioner will make sure you remain comfortable throughout your treatment.
An acupuncture treatment is also very relaxing and most people say they feel like they spent an hour at the spa
and not the doctor’s office.
How will I take my herbs?
There are many ways to use herbs. Herbs may come in the form of pills, powders and raw herbs that you
take home and boil into teas. They may also be made into poultices, salves, balms, steams, washes and soaks.
They may be taken internally or applied externally. Your specific recipe and how you take your herbs depends
on your condition and lifestyle.
What about non-needle acupuncture?
For those who don’t like needles but still want to access the wisdom of an ancient medicine, non-needle
acupuncture is available. Instead of needles, acupressure can be applied to specific locations on the body. In
addition to acupressure, the use of heat lamps, infrared therapy, herbal liniments, Chinese therapeutic massage
and moxabustion can be used.
If you wish, you can also come in for herbal consultations without the acupressure, acupuncture, or any
other modalities.
How many times will I have to come in before I feel better?
This is a difficult question to answer. The answer depends on the condition you are being treated for, and
how long you have had the condition.
There is a rule of thumb in the use of Acupuncture. For each month that you have had a given condition, it
takes one weekly treatment. So if you wake up with a sudden neck and shoulder pain, one treatment may be
all you need. On the other hand, if you have had knee pain for years, you may require months of weekly
treatments. Please contact me for a more personalized answer.
What other methods of treatment do you use?
In addition to acupuncture, there are other methods of treatment that are utilized when appropriate. These
include:
Moxabustion: (A) Indirect moxa: A stick of mugwort with burning embers is held over the skin to create a
warm sensation,
(B) Direct moxa: Rice grain sized balls of mugwort are placed onto the skin at specific locations and burned
with an incense stick.
Warming needle: A marble sized ball of mugwort is placed onto a needle and lit with incense.
Plum Blossom: Tapping a specific area with a small hammer with 7 needles. When treatment requires, a
small amount of bleeding may occur.
Gua Sha: A technique of rubbing the skin with a hand held tool made of cow horn, plastic, ceramic or jade.
Cupping: The use of glass or plastic cups which have been slightly heated and placed on the skin.
Bleeding Techniques: May include the use of a small lancet, or plum blossom alone or in conjunction with
cupping.
All of these techniques are done with the patient’s consent.
Acupuncture is surprisingly painless. The needles used are smaller than most human hair, and a good
practitioner will make sure you remain comfortable throughout your treatment.
An acupuncture treatment is also very relaxing and most people say they feel like they spent an hour at the spa
and not the doctor’s office.
How will I take my herbs?
There are many ways to use herbs. Herbs may come in the form of pills, powders and raw herbs that you
take home and boil into teas. They may also be made into poultices, salves, balms, steams, washes and soaks.
They may be taken internally or applied externally. Your specific recipe and how you take your herbs depends
on your condition and lifestyle.
What about non-needle acupuncture?
For those who don’t like needles but still want to access the wisdom of an ancient medicine, non-needle
acupuncture is available. Instead of needles, acupressure can be applied to specific locations on the body. In
addition to acupressure, the use of heat lamps, infrared therapy, herbal liniments, Chinese therapeutic massage
and moxabustion can be used.
If you wish, you can also come in for herbal consultations without the acupressure, acupuncture, or any
other modalities.
How many times will I have to come in before I feel better?
This is a difficult question to answer. The answer depends on the condition you are being treated for, and
how long you have had the condition.
There is a rule of thumb in the use of Acupuncture. For each month that you have had a given condition, it
takes one weekly treatment. So if you wake up with a sudden neck and shoulder pain, one treatment may be
all you need. On the other hand, if you have had knee pain for years, you may require months of weekly
treatments. Please contact me for a more personalized answer.
What other methods of treatment do you use?
In addition to acupuncture, there are other methods of treatment that are utilized when appropriate. These
include:
Moxabustion: (A) Indirect moxa: A stick of mugwort with burning embers is held over the skin to create a
warm sensation,
(B) Direct moxa: Rice grain sized balls of mugwort are placed onto the skin at specific locations and burned
with an incense stick.
Warming needle: A marble sized ball of mugwort is placed onto a needle and lit with incense.
Plum Blossom: Tapping a specific area with a small hammer with 7 needles. When treatment requires, a
small amount of bleeding may occur.
Gua Sha: A technique of rubbing the skin with a hand held tool made of cow horn, plastic, ceramic or jade.
Cupping: The use of glass or plastic cups which have been slightly heated and placed on the skin.
Bleeding Techniques: May include the use of a small lancet, or plum blossom alone or in conjunction with
cupping.
All of these techniques are done with the patient’s consent.
| The pharmacy in downtown Kennewick |
Treatment room in downtown Kennewick