Are there any "Do's" and "Don't's" on the day of treatment?

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Yes. To enhance the value of a treatment, the following guidelines are important:

• We recommend loose, comfortable clothing that gives the acupuncturist access to your knees, elbows, and, in some cases, your back. These areas are important distal points in acupuncture. You may also wish to consider where you may be experiencing pain and to wear clothing that allows your acupuncturist access to that area(s).

• Do not eat an unusually large meal immediately before or after your treatment.

• Do not do acupuncture when you are hungry or empty stomach.

• Do not over-exercise, engage in sexual activity, or consume alcoholic beverages within 6 hours before or after the treatment.

• Plan your activities so that after the treatment you can get some rest, or at least not have to be working at top performance. This is especially important for the first few visits.

• Continue to take any prescription medicines as directed by your regular doctor. Substance abuse (drugs and alcohol) especially in the week prior to treatment, will seriously interfere with the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment.

• Remember to keep good mental or written notes of what your response is to the treatment. This is important for your doctor to know so that the follow-up treatments can be designed to best help you and your problems.

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What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a profound pathway to create the life you truly want to live. The modalities used to facilitate the process of natural healing include acupuncture, chinese herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, tui-na (chinese medical massage), Guasha, nutritional counseling, exercise and lifestyle recommendations.

TCM has the power to unlock your true potential and help you develop and use your own unique gifts and talents. It’s insightful wisdom and ability to understand and address individual health needs empowers each person with a way to unite body, mind, and spirit—the foundation for lasting, authentic health. TCM teaches you how to live a life of balance, wellness, and harmony. It’s true that TCM is one of the oldest healing systems on the planet. It has actually been in continuous practice for thousands of years.

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How does Acupuncture work?

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Acupuncture is an ancient technique that originated in China over 3,000 years ago and is the fastest growing method of health care in America today. Acupuncture is an ancient medicine system of balancing, regulating and strengthening the life force of the human body; called Qi (pronounced chee). Acupuncturists recognize particular pathways called “channels or meridians” through which Qi circulates throughout the body. The channels connect all of the internal organs with the rest of the body and provide a constant flow of energy to every cell. The imbalances or blockages in the flow of qi will result in illness, disease and pain. The gentle insertion of hair-thin sterile needles at specific points along the body’s channels of qi energy helps restore harmony at the deepest level for the body, mind, and spirit.

Generally speaking, it helps our body heal itself. The needle inserting into certain parts of the body, initiates the healing system/ability which was jammed or slowed down, start to function again. Our body has a healing system and healing ability which is designed with the wisdom and power of our loving God. And it works so wonderfully. Without this healing ability no human doctor can help any disease. The ancient Chinese doctors might have known the secret and took advantage of the body's healing system by using needles inserted into the body. Billions and billions of Chinese people have been healed in the past thousands years.

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Does Acupuncture hurt?

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Acupuncture is a relatively painless natural technique. It consists of the gentle insertion and stimulation of sterile, disposable, small, hair-width needles placed at precise strategic points on the body. While many acupuncture patients are initially wary about their first treatment, they soon discover that the experience is quite pleasurable and pain-free. Acupuncture has been proven to stimulate and release opiate-like hormones and induce a state of relaxation, balance and healing.

Each unique person experiences their acupuncture treatment differently. Patients may feel nothing, heaviness, distention, a dull ache, warmth and/or a tingling sensation. While the treatment may sometimes feel uncomfortable it will rarely, if ever, produce pain. Your comfort before, during, and after acupuncture is of paramount importance. Do not hesitate to voice any concerns or reservations you may have before or during your treatment. Many patients experience a relaxed and peaceful state during the session.

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Is Acupuncture safe?

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Acupuncture is extremely safe when administered by a qualified and licensed professional. In fact, when practiced correctly, acupuncture is associated with no side-effects nor iatrogenic (doctor-caused) diseases. Thin, sterile needles are used and disposed of after each use so there is minimal to no risk of infection. Considering the millions of people who are treated with acupuncture each year and the large number of acupuncture needles used, very few complications have been reported to the FDA.

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What can Acupuncture treat?

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According to the World Health Organization and the National Institutes acupuncture is beneficial to treat:

• Chronic and Acute Pain – Injuries, headaches, neck, shoulder, back & knee pain, tendonitis, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia.
• Digestive Disorders – Irritable bowel, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, gastritis, heartburn, food allergies, ulcers.
• Gynecological-PMS, painful or irregular menses, menopause, infertility.
• Pregnancy -pre and post-partum care, breech, labor and delivery.
• Neurological Disorders – Post-stroke recovery, Bell’s Palsy, Trigeminal Neuralgia, movement disorders, neuropathy.
• Respiratory Disorders – Asthma, allergies, bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throat, laryngitis, colds and flu.
• Immune Function – Recurrent infections, rheumatoid arthritis, MS.
• Addictions – Addictions to nicotine, alcohol and drugs.
• Eye and Ear Disorders – Tinnitus, Meniere’s disease, impaired vision.

• Psychological- Depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, insomnia.

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What can I expect during the treatment?

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The acupuncturist will begin by taking a complete health history. The practitioner will then do a comprehensive intake and exam which will consist of asking numerous questions about your general health and primary complaint. An acupuncturist's physical exam includes a detailed examination and analysis of the pulse and tongue, as well as abdominal palpation and facial diagnosis. When the acupuncturist has arrived at a working diagnosis, and selected the acupuncture points, the skin will be cleaned with alcohol. A sterilized disposable needle that is as thin as a hair will be placed into the point. The needles will be inserted and left in for 15-30 minutes. Ten to 20 needles may be inserted although most times fewer are used, depending on the condition and how many conditions are being treated. To enhance the effect of acupuncture, Dr. Mark may choose to use additional modalities such as electrical stimulation, moxibustion, cupping, auricular acupuncture, massage and/or infra-red heat therapy, Guasha. Chinese medicinal herbs may be prescribed to support the acupuncture treatment

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How many treatments will I need?

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How much treatment needed varies from person to person. For instance a person with an acute condition usually needs just a few visits and even a single treatment may be sufficient to resolve it; whereas a person with a complete condition may need one or two treatments a week for several months. Some chronic conditions may require a series of treatments over period of time. Adjunct TCM therapies and self-care techniques can be used to accelerate your progress and reduce the number of treatments required. This may include herbal medicine, moxibusition, dietary & lifestyle recommendations, nutritional supplementation, energetic exercises, meditation, and relaxation techniques. For health maintenance four treatments a year may be all that is recommended.

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What are your clinic's hours?

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Dr. Mark's Clinic Hours in Shadyside are Monday, Thursday 9-7, and Friday 2-7 ;

in Peters Township Hours are: Tuesday 8-12, Saturday 2-7.

He will occasionally, start earlier and finish up later if that is needed for his patients.

He also works in Allegheny Physical Medicine in Bethel Park on Saturday morning, and Wednesday afternoon; and at the Neuropychiatry Center in Bridgville.

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Do you accept insurance?

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More and more insurance companies are covering Acupuncture. For example UPMC, Veterans Choice Program, and federal insurance all cover acupuncture. Before selecting a health insurance you should check to see if acupuncture is a benefit on their plan.

We will gladly check your insurance benefits for you if you do not know whether your plan covers acupuncture. Please send your Insurance information, including your full name, Insurance company, member ID and your date of birth. Dr. Li will let you know within a few days what your insurance benefits will cover.

We will work directly with your provider for reimbursement. The easiest way for us to check for your insurance benefits is for you to take a picture of your insurance card and text it to Mark’s work phone number (412)419-6866 or email address marklity66@gmail.com. Make sure to include your date of birth.

Dr. Li is in network with UPMC, Veterans Choice Program and treats many patients out of network with other plans. Send your insurance information to us, and let’s see what is possible for receiving Acupuncture through your insurance plan.

If you would like to make insurance claims yourself, we will offer you a Super Bill with the diagnostic codes your insurance company looks for to provide reimbursement.

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Do you offer free consultations?

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If you are curious and interested to explore how acupuncture and the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine may benefit your life, Dr. Li offers free phone and in office consultations. He would be happy to meet you and discuss any concerns and questions you may have. You just need to make an appointment for a free consultation then go home and consider making the decision.

Please call (412) 419-6866 or email marklity66@gmail.com today to set up an appointment or to book a free mini consultation today.

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