Frequently asked questions

Many people experience relief from, or recovery from, their symptoms through acupuncture and herbal medicine. This page provides an overview of conditions and complaints that are often treated successfully.

Acupuncture as we know it today originates in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which has a history spanning thousands of years. It is a treatment in which very fine needles stimulate specific acupuncture points.

Needling these points activates the body’s self-healing capacity. This can help balance and improve a range of physiological functions, making acupuncture suitable for a broad range of physical, mental and emotional complaints.

Acupuncture stimulates the body’s self-healing capacity and has a positive effect on functions, tissues and systems. It can therefore be used for a wide range of complaints.

From the perspective of Western medicine, acupuncture has a regulatory effect on the nervous system, connective tissue, blood circulation and metabolism. It influences oxygen transport, hormones, neurotransmitters and nutrients, all of which are essential for health.

One of the main areas that acupuncture can positively influence is blood circulation. Reduced circulation in a particular area means reduced function.

Good blood circulation is essential because almost everything the body needs to heal is carried in the blood, including:

• Natural pain-relieving substances
• Hormones
• Nutrients
• Oxygen
• Immune cells

In Chinese medicine, acupuncture is a therapy that restores the free flow of “Qi”. Qi has many meanings, depending on the context. In Chinese medicine, it can refer to a function or a substance. For example, one function of Stomach and Spleen Qi (including the pancreas in this context) is to digest food effectively, while a function of Lung Qi is to enable free and effective breathing. Qi as a substance may refer to nutrients, oxygen or hormones.

The body’s physiology depends on the free movement of this Qi through the organs and “channels”.

A channel (sometimes incorrectly translated as a meridian) is an anatomical area of the body named after an organ, such as the Stomach, Liver or Kidney. By needling particular points on the Stomach channel, for example, we can restore Stomach functions or the functions of tissues along that channel. The pathways of the channels correspond to major nerve pathways and the distribution of fascial connective tissue.

Acupuncture for pain

Acupuncture is particularly well known in the West for its positive effect on pain. As well as improving blood circulation, it stimulates the production of pain-relieving substances. This is why pain relief can often be felt after the first treatment. The combination of pain-relieving substances and improved circulation reduces pain and helps the area recover more quickly.

After acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine is the most widely used therapy in TCM. All parts of a plant may be used to treat specific imbalances and complaints: roots, fruits, leaves, seeds, bark and even twigs. Familiar examples in the West include ginger root, goji berries, mint leaves, fennel seeds, cinnamon bark and cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi).

Traditionally in China, dried herbs were often provided in bags and boiled at home each day to make a decoction. This took considerable time, produced a strong smell and often tasted bitter or unpleasant. In modern practice, we therefore usually use powders or tablets, which are more practical, easier to dose and more pleasant to take.

An important feature of Chinese herbal medicine is that a single herb is rarely used on its own. Instead, a herbal formula is usually prepared: a combination of herbs that reinforce and balance one another and help prevent side effects. The formula is tailored to your symptoms and constitution.

Combination with acupuncture

Herbs can be particularly effective when combined with acupuncture because both therapies can address the same symptoms through different approaches:

• Acupuncture activates the body’s self-healing capacity, but there is “nothing in the needle”.
• Herbs, by contrast, add something: they contain active substances that directly nourish or regulate the body.

For example:

• In Blood deficiency, acupuncture can stimulate the body to absorb nutrients more effectively and optimise blood production. Herbs can directly support this process by nourishing the Blood with blood-building ingredients.
• For a bladder infection, acupuncture can regulate immunity and flow in the Bladder, while herbs with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties directly support recovery.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine complement one another: acupuncture supports and regulates, while herbs often have a more direct nourishing or clearing effect. Together, they can provide the best result in many cases.

No, you do not need a referral for acupuncture. You can book directly with me.

Yes, the positive effects of acupuncture on health have been demonstrated in thousands of studies. The World Health Organization has compiled a list of health complaints for which acupuncture has been scientifically shown to have a positive effect. You can find this list under What we treat.

This depends on your policy. If you have supplementary health insurance, most insurers reimburse treatment in full or in part. For more information, see Fees and insurance reimbursement.

During the first consultation, the acupuncturist forms a diagnosis. By asking questions, examining the tongue and feeling the pulse, he builds a picture of the nature and cause of the symptoms. Based on these findings, he proposes a treatment plan. Treatment follows immediately after the consultation. The total appointment takes around 75 minutes.

At each follow-up appointment, we first discuss your progress and then carry out the treatment. The appointment takes 45 to 60 minutes in total.

The number of treatments varies from person to person and depends on the complaint. On average, 5 to 10 sessions are needed to achieve a clear improvement or substantial symptom relief. Some people notice results after just a few treatments, while others need a longer course over several weeks or months.

This depends on the nature, severity and duration of the complaint, as well as factors such as diet, work, sleep and stress. Acute complaints often resolve more quickly, while chronic complaints usually require more treatments.

In the initial phase, weekly treatment is usually most effective, allowing the effect to build gradually. As symptoms improve, treatment can often become less frequent.

A few examples:

• Chronic bowel complaints (such as ulcerative colitis): often 10 to 20 treatments are needed to make a significant difference. Regular maintenance afterwards (for example, once a month or a few times a year) is often useful to maintain the results.
• Cycle-related complaints (irregular cycles, significant pain, heavy bleeding, clots or PMS): expect at least 3 cycles of weekly treatment. Each phase of the cycle is supported with acupuncture and, where appropriate, herbs to restore balance as quickly as possible.
• Acute complaints (such as flu or a cold, a cold sore or a bladder infection): a small number of treatments is often enough to support recovery.

During your initial consultation, we discuss how many treatments you are likely to need and which treatment plan best suits your situation.

This varies from person to person and depends on the complaint. Some people notice a clear improvement after one or a few treatments, while others need a longer course. The severity and duration of the complaint, lifestyle (diet, sleep, stress and exercise) and the type of complaint all play an important role.

Generally, the more acute the complaint, the faster the recovery. Chronic or more complex complaints often require more time and repeated treatment to restore balance. Weekly treatment is usually most effective at the start, allowing the effects to build and stabilise.

• Please avoid brushing your tongue on the day of treatment.
• Avoid foods and drinks that may change the colour of your tongue, such as liquorice or coffee.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothes that can easily be rolled up at the arms and legs.
• Bring a list of any medicines you take.

This varies somewhat from person to person, as pain thresholds differ. Most people find treatment almost painless and even relaxing. It is not unusual for people to fall asleep during treatment.

You can pay after treatment, in cash or through a payment request. Your invoice is emailed to you straight away. If your insurance covers treatment, you submit the invoice to your health insurer yourself.

If you are dissatisfied with my services, you can always contact me. I will do my utmost to resolve your concerns. If we cannot reach a solution, you can contact my professional association, LVNT, through its website: LVNT Complaints. For disputes, I am affiliated with the professional dispute resolution committee SCAG. For disciplinary matters, I am affiliated with TCZ through RBCZ.