QUESTIONS ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE VS. DRY NEEDLING?

Acupuncture and dry needling utilize the insertion of needles at the muscle layer, often targeting trigger and/or motor points to alleviate pain and injury. Licensed acupuncturists however, receive higher standards of training and clinical practice. Acupuncturists are uniquely equipped to treat the body's musculoskeletal layer in accordance with Western anatomy and Chinese Medicine meridian theory, and are therefore able to offer treatments with an informed and highly-attuned personalized approach that supports the whole being for long-term healing.

For more detail, please also see Meghan's Blog post: ACUPUNCTURE VS. DRY NEEDLING

WHEN WILL I START TO FEEL BETTER?

Acupuncture works to naturally remodel our biochemistry, reorganize injured soft tissue structures, and reprogram neural connections - reaching the maximum benefit of these changes can take time and results vary with each individual and condition. Some patients may experience relief and/or a full recovery after one to two sessions, while others may require several or ongoing treatments to notice meaningful improvements.

Consistent treatment is essential to building acupuncture’s cumulative effect and achieving the most significant outcomes.

Meghan typically recommends an initial treatment plan of 4-6 consecutive sessions followed by a re-evaluation of symptoms and orthopedic exams if applicable for both objective and subjective measures of progress. The goal is always to reduce the severity, frequency and duration of disruptive symptoms so that the patient can be released from care and return as needed for pro-active well being.

Following recommendations and guidance discussed will also improve your success!

There is work only you can do. Healing will ask more of you to explore, confront and change but only you can make the decisions surrounding what you say yes or say no to: the foods, situations and daily practices that govern your life and subsequently, your overall health. You are in charge of the script. Oftentimes, the deepest parts of our healing work must be done outside your single hour of treatment.

CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP ME?

Yes, acupuncture can help. While Chinese medicine can not diagnose or "cure" Western Diseases, acupuncturists are able to identify the root causes of what may be causing illness, and then support the body by treating both the underlying and pronounced symptoms of imbalance. Meghan's practice is unique in the regular incorporation of traditional East Asian massage, bodywork and herbal medicine for all conditions treated. This treatment combination is highly effective at expediting the healing process, relieving pain at the musculoskeletal level, harmonizing at the internal organ level, and supporting connection of mind, body and spirit.

Specialties & areas of focus are highlighted on the HOW I WORK & WHAT I TREAT page.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also officially recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment modality for many medical conditions*:

*Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, World Health Organization, 2003,

http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4926e/5.html

WHY WORK WITH
MEGHAN

“Why do I have the trouble that I do? Where does it come from? How can I understand it? What can I do about it? How can I prevent this from recurring?”

Over 16 years of study in body mechanics, functional medicine, mentorship, and hundreds of miles trekked across the globe inform Meghan's treatments. Her patients are continually impressed with their success from her skilled combination of acupuncture, massage and expertise across a wide variety of health conditions from both Western and Eastern perspectives. Meghan is truly unique in her clinical approach, and her warm rapport with patients cultivates transformational results.

Please also see Meghan's post-graduate studies & professional achievements.

WHAT IS CHINESE MEDICINE?
IS IT RIGHT FOR ME?

Many people find success with Chinese Medicine whether their condition is acute or chronic, have tried other approaches to their health concerns without success, and/or have a variety of symptoms that no other modality has been able to “connect the dots” on.

Chinese Medicine is a thousands-year-old-practice, and a system by which the physiology and pathology of the body are viewed from theories rooted in yin and yang, meaning that there is a duality of forces at all times, in all things in the universe. In all that Chinese medicine does, it aims to balance those forces of yin (physical form) and yang (motive function) within the body to both treat and prevent disease for long-term health and healing.

WHAT TO EXPECT + HOW TO PREPARE

Your first treatment will cover a detailed intake to review your current symptoms, health history and treatment goals. Ample time is allotted for you to be fully heard and have all questions addressed prior to treatment.

Chinese medicine carefully takes into account the natural changes that occur over a person’s lifetime and the relationship with their internal and external environment. The tools we use for evaluation go beyond a list of symptoms through skillful observation and palpation to arrive at our diagnosis.

A recommended treatment plan covering prognosis, frequency of treatments and at-home exercises if applicable will also be discussed.

Please arrive well-rested and hydrated after a light meal or snack so you can sustain your energy post-treatment.

HOW MANY NEEDLES DO YOU USE? WHERE DO YOU PUT THEM?

Great questions - needle selection is based upon your condition, orthopedic evaluation and overall constitution. Sometimes it’s most appropriate to simply insert a small number of needles around the scalp to help you relax, in other circumstances, there may be direct needling into a muscle group. Before treatment begins, Meghan will always review a “game plan” with her patient to explain where and why she thinks a given amount of needles would be beneficial. She also works closely with you to ensure your comfort throughout the duration of your visit. Once all needles are placed, you are given time to rest on your own for about 20 minutes.

DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT? WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?

Acupuncture should not be a painful affair. When releasing a tight muscle, some patients may experience the feeling of a small twitch which simply means the needle has reached its correct placement and has activated the body’s qi. Other sensations that may arise are feelings of warmth, heaviness, or of something “coursing” in gentle waves felt throughout the body that fosters a state of deep rest. Feeling nothing at all is ok too! Acupuncture is a cumulative process and one's sensitivity to the arrival of "qi" typically becomes more pronounced over the course of several treatments. Meghan thoroughly enjoys introducing new and naturally apprehensive patients (including her own Italian mother) to the world of acupuncture.

HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?

From a biomedical perspective, acupuncture meridians lay in near exact anatomical overlay to the body’s nervous system. The insertion of an acupuncture needle therefore initiates a biochemical cascade of neurotransmitters that regulate the nervous system, exhibiting influence over our pain pathways, hormones, organ and endocrine systems, sleep, mood and processing center of our emotional experience. Acupuncture is also unique in its direct ability to access the body’s muscle layer, effectively activating nerve pathways and treating compromised tissue, bound muscle and fascia at the source of both physical and stored emotional pain. At its core, Acupuncture is a fluid, therapeutic technique rooted in science and artistry used to treat disease, prevent disease and bring the body back into balance for the long-term.

To read more, please see Acupuncture under the Services page.

SAFETY

Acupuncture, massage and herbal medicine are safe practices when done under the care of a licensed practitioner. There may be some instances where certain treatment techniques or herbal medication would be inappropriate for certain medical conditions or during pregnancy, and these will be discussed with you in advance.

This office uses one-time single, sterile use filiform needles and all surfaces and linens are cleaned or changed between patients.

Any herbal medicine prescribed has gone through rigorous GMP and third-party testing to ensure products are free of pesticides, heavy metals or other contaminants. Meghan only sources herbal medicine from providers that maintain transparency related to where herbs are grown, harvested and manufactured. Ingredients are often tested up to three times during the manufacturing process at their source in China, and again in the U.S. to secure the highest level of protection for the integrity, purity and quality of medicinal herbal products.

If you are concerned about the safety or associated risks with acupuncture, massage or herbal medicine, Meghan would be more than happy to speak with you.

CAN CHILDREN RECEIVE ACUPUNCTURE?

A resounding yes! Acupuncture and non-insertive techniques including pediatric Tui Na, Shiatsu, Teishin and Shonishin work can be safely applied to babies, young children and teenagers. Chinese medicine can offer a gentle introduction to the world of holistic health and can assist with many common childhood & developmental conditions from nocturnal enuresis, asthma, nervous, behavioral and emotional system regulation, digestion, allergies, feelings of anxiety and depression to hormonal changes in puberty.

Further reading on non-insertive acupuncture techniques can also be found under Cupping, Gua Sha & More or on the Acupuncture pages.

TREATMENT SPACE + FACILITIES

Meghan is proud to be an independent provider within the Denver Integrated Therapies suite of practitioners. I work one on one with patients in a private office per treatment session which is equipped with a table warmer, blankets, pillows, music and ambiance set for your comfort. There is easy and ample parking in the building lot, an elevator, bathroom and two wheelchair accessible ramps as you enter the building. As an added bonus, our building sits just alongside the Clear Creek River, please take advantage of the quiet trail after your treatment.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Chinese Medicine is a lifelong dedication to continual study and practice. Meghan loves guiding patients towards source material that will help to expand their own knowledge base and encourage curiosity. A brief list of recommended reading is below:

HOW CAN I USE YOUR ONLINE PHARMACY?

Through Meghan's Doctoral credentials, she is able to offer her patients the benefits of a partnership with FULLSCRIPT for access to high-quality vitamins, supplements and other wellness products at a discounted rate. Fullscript is an online platform where patients can browse and order practitioner-based recommendations for trusted brands based on purity, safety and efficacy. With Fullscript, Meghan will also be able to coordinate and order some lab work for patients including metabolic, nutritional and hormonal panels.

You can create your Fullscript account with an existing Gmail, Apple or any other email address here: Meghan Rose Acupuncture's Dispensary.