Acupuncture is helpful to (but not limited to):

• Muscle Pain
• Tendon Pain
• Nerve Problems
• Body Function (Ex. Hypertension, Chronic headaches, digestion, and infertility)

Yes. In California, acupuncturists are required to undergo a rigorous 4 year master's program which includes about 1000 clinical hours as well as about 2000 didactic hours in eastern and western medicine.

Acupuncturists undergo extensive courses in anatomy and physiology and are required to complete training in Clean Needle Technique.

In the state of California, students must also pass the extensive comprehensive California Licensing Examinations.

Normal side effects include:

• Light bleeding from puncture site
• Small bump at puncture site
• Bruise at or around puncture site

*These occur usually from thin skin and will be gone soon after treatment*

To see what feelings you should look out for, go to "Feelings of Acupuncture"

When you receive acupuncture, you may feel many different sensations. Think about these feelings as you are getting treatment.

Sensations that mean the nerves are being stimulated:

These are good signs!

• Feeling Heavy
• Warm
• Tingling
• Electric
• Pressure
• Burning

After treatment you may feel dizzy, or temporarily sorer, this is because the nerves are working hard and have been stimulated.

Sensations that mean your muscle is tight and the nerve can't be fully stimulated:

These are not a good sign!

• Sharp
• Pinch
• Throbbing

**Let the acupuncturist know if any of these sensations occur**

**If the muscle still feels tight before your next visit, use a heating pad on specified area**

Everyone is different. Some people only need 1-2 sessions and feel better. Some need more than 1 month.

*Chronic pain needs more time to treat.*

• This is because when the pain has been in a particular area for a long time, it takes longer to stimulate the nerves to work with your brain.
• Muscle problems are easier to treat than nerve or body function problems. (Ex. High blood pressure, chronic headaches, digestion, and infertility).

Everyone is different, the average is 8-10 needles.

More or less needles depends on:

• The location of your pain
• ​Your specific condition

NEVER.

Acupuncturists use single-use, sterile, stainless-steel needles to ensure your complete safety. Needles are responsibly disposed of via sharps containers after their use.

Yes, massage therapy complements acupuncture very well.

We suggest taking it easy after treatment. However, doing light yoga or stretching is good after treatment.

Your regular exercise plan will be good to do before treatment and the day after.

Dr. JOE is a provider for most of insurance and accepts most insurance including health, auto and worker’s compensation insurance, veteran's affairs such as:

• Aarp
• Aetna
• Anthem Blue Cross
• BlueCross BlueShield
• Blue Shield of California
• Chirometrics
• Cigna
• Harrington
• HealthNet
• IEHP
• Kaiser
• Medrisk
• Nippon
• Sedgwick
• StateFund
• Triwest
• United Healthcare

To make an appointment please call 951-270-0036

The first session will include a consultation and treatment. This session will usually take 60 minutes.

Follow up treatments for established patients typically last around 30-45 minutes.