"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly."
-Siddhartha Gautama
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Q: What conditions can acupuncture help?
A: Many people think acupuncture is used to help relieve acute and chronic pain such as headache, low back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. While this is certainly one of its strong points, acupuncture can also help a long list of medical and even psycho-emotional conditions. Studies have shown it to be effective for:-osteoarthritis
-fibromyalgia
-nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy and post surgery pain
-nausea of pregnancy
-stroke rehabilitation
-menstrual cramps
-insomnia
-myofascial pain
-tennis elbow
-addiction
-carpal tunnel syndrome
-headache
For more detailed information please read the NIH Consensus Statement on Acupuncture.
And many people get good results from acupuncture for:
-depression
-anxiety
-hypertension
-disorders of the ear
-epigastric pain
-abdominal pain
-diarrhea
-constipation
-PMS
-male and female infertility
-TMJ
-Bell's palsy
-common cold
-allergies
-urinary issues
For a more complete list refer to: YinYangHouse. And don't hesitate to contact Bill about your specific condition or come in for a free consultation.
Q: How many treatments will I need?
A: The number of treatments needed differs from person to person. For chronic or long-standing conditions, one or two treatments a week for several months may be recommended. For acute problems, usually fewer visits are required. With acute back pain or an allergy attack, for example, much relief often occurs in just one or two visits. Follow-up visits are often recommended to effect a longer lasting cure for conditions like these. But sometimes patients are satisfied with just these one or two visits.Q: Does acupuncture hurt?
A: Acupuncture is extremely relaxing for the most part. Many clients close their eyes and some fall asleep while the needles are in. Some of the needle insertions are totally painless, while some feel like a mosquito bite. Sometimes the patient will experience a dull, sore feeling at the site of the insertion. Each patient is encouraged to let the acupuncturist know if there is any discomfort.Q: What should I wear to the appointment?
A: In general loose fitting clothes are best. Shoes and socks will always be removed. Men are sometimes asked to remove their shirts and pants. Women are usually given gowns. All under garments should be left on.Q: What kind of needles are used?
A: All needles are sterile and disposed of immediately after use.Q: Do you accept insurance?
A: Yes, some insurances are accepted such as Blue Cross Blue Shield. I also accept payment in the form of check or cash. I will provide patients who want to submit their claims themselves with the necessary information.Q: Do you treat auto accident / personal injury insurance patients?
A: Yes. Whiplash, neck pain, back pain and other pain related to accidents is covered by everybody's basic personal injury insurance. Patients can even get treatment at the same time as receiving chiropractic and physical therapy.Q: Are there similarities with chiropractic?
A: Yes, both chiropractic and acupuncture access the body's own healing system. Chiropractor's typically focus on the spine and therefore central nervous system. Acupuncturists also use a lot of points next to the spine stimulating similar areas of the body. Acupuncture also stimulates the peripheral nervous system as well. Points in the arms, legs, and head are often used as well. An acupuncture treatment is often 40 to 60 minutes (sometimes more), though, so the patient actually relaxes into the stimulation. Many patients get pleasantly drowsy and some fall asleep.Q: Bill, what led you to become an acupuncturist?
A: I have suffered from allergies and sinus problems since I was a child. At the age of 20 or so a friend recommended I try chiropractic. With one adjustment to my neck, my nose started to drain. I then realized that decongestants and antihistamines were not the only answer to allergies.Then in my mid-twenties while living in Kyoto, Japan, I tried shiatsu massage. This also helped my allergies, but the very gifted therapist, Ryokyu Endo, also seemed to connect on a very deep psycho-emotional level as well. Several years later I decided to study with his wife, Mayu, and Endo-Sensei himself. I believe this training helped me learn, among other things, the importance of palpation in treatment.
Endo Sensei had studied with Shizuto Masunaga, the author of Zen Shiatsu. In this book, there are several pages of outlining the relationship of the organ-meridian system with both physical symptoms AND their psycho-emotional counterparts. This fascinated me.
Then, when back in the US after 10 years in Japan, I found myself dissatisfied with office work and decided to turn to something more meaningful to me. I enrolled in the acupuncture program at the Eastern School of Medicine in Montclair, New Jersey. I continue to be fascinated with the art and science of Chinese medicine. The daily process of applying the knowledge and working with patients on their paths to healing I find extremely rewarding.
I continue to use acupuncture and Chinese herbs, among other lifestyle choices such aikido, qi gong, and attention to diet to successfully manage my sinus/allergy challenges.