New to Acupuncture and Bodywork? Here’s a list of commonly asked questions.
If you can’t find answers to your questions below, please contact Keith using the contact page, or call him directly.
People sometimes ask why it’s so easy to see Keith for acupuncture and bodywork relatively quickly. Why he doesn’t seem busier? The short answer is that people get better faster when they see Keith. The long answer is that sometimes his schedule is full and there’s a 2-week wait to see him. Other times, he has openings later the same week. This is because people recover from injuries more quickly, heal faster, or optimize their athletic performance in less visits because Keith is skilled and adept at what he does.
Acupuncture is a healing act of inserting a needle into an acupuncture point in a meridian to correct an imbalance of the energetic pathways relating to the organs, muscles and nerves of the human body’s surface.
Specific symptoms and conditions such as pain, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, headaches, intestinal disorders and many more respond to treatment with Oriental Medicine. The World Health Organization (WHO), as well as a growing body of research, advocates Acupuncture and Bodywork in an array of physical, mental and emotional symptoms. Yet these modalities do more than relieve symptoms… they restore the vital balance between the mind, body and emotions. To this end Acupuncture and Bodywork are most effective in preventative treatment, which is the most important benefit of theis medicine.
Conventional Western medicine has its place and efficacy, but generally focuses on localized symptoms and problems, while East Asian Medicine allows us to view the same problems and the greater imbalance and conditions in relation to the whole body and its complex array of interacting systems. Moreover many pharmaceuticals are heavily processed with bleaches and dies which pollute our bodies and build-up to toxic levels in our water table. Acupuncture promotes the natural healing capacity of body. East Asian Medicines in general have proven effective for clinical use for thousands of years and it is a preferred treatment for many types of illness.
Usually a series of treatments will be necessary to resolve the condition. Acute problems like muscle pulls early stage colds and flus may only take 1-2 treatments while more chronic and complex conditions will require a more extensive treatment plan.
Chinese Herbology is a centuries old science that has been consistently modified and updated as new information has come along. It utilizes a safe and effective combination of many natural substances including plants, roots, minerals and more to reharmonize imbalances within the body. Formulas are prescribed for each individual patient to bring balance to their unique
Keith believes in an integrative model of medicine. He is able to utilize the versatility and adaptability of acupuncture and bodywork in conjunction with any traditionally “Western” or “Allopathic” care you may be receiving – helping you to discover radiant health and well-being in your life through an inclusive approach to your therapeutic plan.
Most insurance plans have “out of network” coverage. If this is true for your insurance, Keith can provide you with a “superbill” to be personally reimbursed. In addition, many flexible spending accounts can be used in compensation for East Asian Medicine care. It is recommended that you contact your insurance carrier to verify your coverage and options. For Motor Vehicle Accidents specifically, Keith does accept insurance.
Due to the resiliency and “yang” nature of children, they often respond incredibly quickly to Oriental Medicine and bodywork. Keith practices a number of non-invasive techniques that are completely suitable for children of all ages. As a benefit of treating children’s musculoskeletal complaints, including “growing pains,” they are often able to avoid any long term sequalae that could affect them as they get older.
If you still have questions, please feel free to email comments or questions by using the contact page, or, if your questions are more personal in nature, please call Keith at 503-501-7798.
Massage therapy is intended to be a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating experience, however, it is not uncommon for some people feel nervous before having a massage for the first time (or having a massage with a new therapist).
In the event that you might feel nervous or unsure about what to expect during your first appointment with us, we’ve taken a few steps to make sure that you always feel comfortable and relaxed.
As an added measure, to ensure your best care, our highly trained staff will sit down with you before your first session. In this private consultation we’ll take you through the whole process step-by-step.
Each session starts off with a private consultation to establish your goals for the session. We’ll find out about your unique needs and preferences and make specific recommendations so that you receive a massage that’s just perfect for you. At that time, your therapist will leave the room to give you time to get on the table. Upon his/her return, your session will proceed according to the goals you and your therapist established at the start.
In order for you to receive the best care, it is important that you are able to trust and feel comfortable with your Massage Therapist. As licensed professionals, our Massage Therapists are required to go through extensive professional ethics training and so must adhere to a strict code of ethics and conduct throughout each session.
At Flying Needle Acupuncture and Bodywork, you can be certain that your therapist will consistently meet your particular needs while emanating a calm, respectful demeanor.
Many first time clients worry about having to get undressed. Not a problem, you only need to take off as much clothing as you feel comfortable removing. You are always securely covered throughout your massage treatment. During the session, only the part of your body being worked on will be uncovered, always with respect to your modesty. If the idea of disrobing is uncomfortable to you, a fully clothed Massage Therapy session is still possible!
Patterns, based on posture, movement and dysfunction can get locked into the soft tissues of the body. Through working with specific muscles, tendons, joint capsules and neuro-receptors, a skilled Massage Therapist can unwind those patterns and help instill renewed functional body awareness in their place. Bear in mind that this takes time. Every case is different and your therapist can discus your options with you after the first session to establish the best possible plan.
You can learn about Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Rehabilitative Massage, Sports Massage, and Shiatsu Massage by visiting the Services page.
The overall goal of your Massage Therapy session is to relieve your pain. The techniques and depth of the pressure we use are entirely up to you. Keith will discuss pain scales and differentiation to expedite your healing within your comfort level.
For your first session, we ask that you arrive 10-15 min early to fill out some paperwork. All sessions begin with your therapist asking some simple questions to customize the session for you.
Massage techniques can vary from extremely soothing to moderately painful depending on the nature of the problem. However, your therapist is trained to work within your comfort level and will check in with you throughout the massage to make sure that the depth and flow of the treatment is within your comfort zone.
If you do choose the deeper bodywork, you will feel a sense of release and diminishing pain as the work progresses.
Whatever your goals for receiving a massage, you can rest assured that we tailor each session to your individual needs by integrating varied techniques and styles into each session to provide the best possible results!
It is essential to drink some water after your session. This helps flush out the toxins that have been released from your musculature as well as rehydrate and nourish those muscles.
It is not uncommon to feel some soreness between 1-48 hours after your session, after which time you should notice considerable relief from your problem. How long that relief lasts will depend on a number of case specific details, which your therapist can discuss with you.
Because Massage Therapy has a cumulative effect, you should experience relief for a longer time after each session until the pain or restriction no longer exists.
Your therapist may give you some stretching or an exercise routine to carry out between treatments. Doing these consistently will keep your muscles loose and will help to speed your recovery time.
Stress – Stress has been linked to a number of debilitating conditions like cancer, heart disease and MS. Massage Therapy is the best way to manage stress and tension inherent to daily living.
Painful and tight muscles – massage acts directly on your tight muscles and their nerve receptors, stimulating the nervous system to eliminate residual tension and flush the muscles of built up waste products and toxins.
Chronic pain – Over time pain can form a self feeding loop which persists long after the original cause is resolved. Massage Therapy can break this cycle and instill a new feedback loop of healthy and efficient movement patterns.
Injuries – Massage Therapy can treat injuries by reducing inflammation, increasing circulation and restoring flexibility. Regular Massage Therapy can promote faster recovery time and reduce scar tissue.
Joint Restriction – Massage therapy can work directly on the soft tissues of your joints to remove any capsular adhesions, stimulate the production of natural lubrication, and relieve pain.
For a more comprehensive list of the many benefits of massage therapy, visit our Benefits of Massage page.
If you still have questions, please feel free to email comments or questions by using the contact page, or, if your questions are more personal in nature, please call Keith at 503-501-7798.