Traditional Acupuncture
Traditional Acupuncture is a tradition based on the laws of nature and the five elements. The reason that I continue to practice acupuncture is that it touches something sacred within a human being. The elements are: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. Each element represents a beautiful and essential part of each of us. Focusing on a person requires that we both see them in their potential way of being and that we see them as a whole and not as only the sum of their symptoms. Please see Resources for more information.
The Acupuncture practitioner works with the qi through using ultra thin needles that open points on pathways in the body called meridians. The meridians create a network of vessels providing the map to create a balanced flow of qi through the body.
Research and a Consensus Conference at the National Institutes of Health endorse acupuncture for the treatment of:
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There are many areas that the research has not yet examined. For instance, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is also helpful for personal growth, spiritual development, stress, mild depression, and promoting wellness.
Acupuncture and Allopathic Treatment
You do not need to choose between receiving acupuncture and allopathic treatment. People under a doctor’s care should continue to see the doctor and remain on their medications as long as they and their doctors feel that it is necessary. Consider acupuncture as complimentary. Often acupuncture brings the body into greater balance enhancing the results for the clients from allopathic treatment. For instance, receiving the support of acupuncture during treatment for cancer, strengthens the immune system of the patient and lessens the difficult side effects of chemotherapy. For more information please see the National Institutes of HealthNational Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
I was blessed to have Eve in my life while I was recovering from Stage IV breast Cancer. Eve
not only helped to heal me but taught me how to connect to my own inner strength and spirituality.
I don’t think I could have found my way back to health without her. WC, Takoma Park, MD
Frequently Asked Questions on Acupuncture
Will it hurt?
Our association with needles is the dreaded needles coming from the doctor or nurse used to give shots or to draw blood. The needles used in acupuncture treatment are solid, thin, and tiny in comparison. Often they are not felt going in. Or, when the qi is touched it feels something akin to a mosquito bite that goes away quickly.
While the acupuncture needles are in, most people will experience a shift to a calmer, clearer, less troubled self. Consistently, people report a heightened sense of well-being.
How many treatments will I need?
Each person’s needs are unique, but mostly this will vary according to the severity and duration of the problem. If a person comes in with a pain that is quite new and is in otherwise good health, it might not take more than 3-4 treatments. If the problem has been going on for years, it might mean more treatment.
Initially, you would come in once or even twice a week for 6-10 visits. At that point, we would assess together how the treatment is going and whether your health goals are being met, and how much further treatment you might need. As you get healthier the goal is to have your visits be less frequent, with you scheduling your visits seasonally or when there is a need. The goal of treatment is to support the body, mind, and spirit in sustaining its energetic balance.
How do I get started?
You can call 202-258-5339 or contact Eve using this contact form. We will set up an initial visit. The initial visit is scheduled for 2 hours.
During that visit Eve will gather the information regarding your health, vitality, your medical history and assess the underlying energetic patterns of disharmony. We will go over the details of your medical history as well as your experience of being ill. We will cover everything from your diet, family history, exercise and any unique factors that influence your well-being. Ninety percent of the time, you will receive the first treatment during the first visit.
Does Insurance Pay?
Increasingly, insurance companies are paying for acupuncture treatment. Payment is due at the time of treatment, but we will provide a superbill with all the necessary information to submit to your insurance company.
Training and Licensing of Acupuncturists
Today acupuncturists are trained in accredited 3-4 year graduate programs licensed in most states. When I began my studies in 1983 there were 6 accredited schools in the US. Now there are more than 50 accredited Acupuncture Schools.
Acupuncturists are certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), an organization established more than 25 years ago to set the standard for the profession.
What can I do to support my treatment?
- Eat lightly before treatment.
- Do not do aerobic exercise before a session.
- Refrain from use of alcohol for 24 hours after a treatment.
- Continue to take your prescribed medications.
- Give yourself ample time after treatment to relax and to make the most of your healing.
- Notice changes from the time you start treatment, both anticipated and unanticipated.
- Try to add a walk outside, enjoying nature and noting the elements around you.