Answering all of your Acupuncture Questions with Spark Wellness
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to sit down with Caroline Georgetti of Spark Wellness in Mystic, Connecticut to answer all of your acupuncture questions, and if you’ve been considering getting stuck, you’re going to want to read this!
Before I begin, if you’re skeptical of acupuncture, this isn’t some type of medieval torture (see picture above). Caroline is truly bringing this 3,000 year old medicine into the modern age. More and more research shows that acupuncture - a traditional treatment in Chinese medicine that involves inserting thin needles at certain points in your body - can indeed help relieve discomfort.
Research shows that acupuncture can help manage chronic pain, particularly from headaches, osteoarthritis, back and neck issues. It’s believed that acupuncture affects the tissues and nerves and may dampen pain signals to the brain, as well as, prompt your body to release chemicals that soothe pain, much like exercising releases endorphins. Additionally, acupuncture restores our body’s energy flows, which when disturbed can result in pain or illness.
Spark Wellness located on East Main Street in Mystic, is just steps away from one of our favorites, MBAR, and all that downtown Mystic has to offer. Caroline offers clients private acupuncture, communal acupuncture, and herbal medicine. Her communal acupuncture is in line with a movement to return to the original model of care by offering treatments in a community setting. Reserve your spot on Tuesday and Thursday’s for Spark Wellness’ Healthy Happy Hours between 3-6pm.
Walking into Spark Wellness you’re greeted with a modern and relaxing atmosphere with accents of whites, greenery, pops of orange and incense, giving you the feeling of traditional medicine, but on a deeper, more relaxed, personal level - if that makes sense. After a quick tour of her practice, Caroline went through a full-body assessment, reviewing each ailment. I primarily focused on chronic lower back pain I’ve had since high school.
For treatment, I laid face up on a padded table with a warm cozy blanket, Caroline even brought in a heat lamp, as “aversion to cold” was one of my complaints, ensuring I was totally comfortable during the appointment. This was helpful, as I was definitely a little nervous about how the needles would feel. And to answer that lingering question for you, it truly depends. For the first round, known as a “root treatment,” Caroline inserted 5 needles, one on each hand and foot, and one on the top of my head. Some I didn’t feel at all, while with others I felt a slight momentary pinch. I then laid there for 15 minutes to allow the needles to stimulate the surrounding tissues and muscles. The root treatment addresses the underlying pattern of your symptoms or root cause.
Caroline explained this root treatment:
Imagine you have a leak in your roof. Depending on the current weather conditions, you might decide that it is more important to first put a bucket under the spot where it is dripping. If conditions are mild, you might just climb up on the roof and fix the patch and deal with any water damage after.
Depending on how severe your symptoms are the order may be reversed.
Feeling good after the first 15 minutes, Caroline removed the first 5 needles and I flipped on to my stomach for a symptomatic treatment, where she addressed my main health concern directly, my lower back. She placed 5 needles again in my hands, feet, and head at different locations, and added several to my lower back. I’ll admit, I didn’t feel much during the first round, maybe I was too focused on wanting to ask as many questions as possible, this being my first round of acupuncture, and knowing I would be writing this article. But during the second round, I definitely felt my body relax, almost weightless.
Caroline ended my session with a heat therapy, called Moxa. Applying a salve to my back, she lit dried leaves from the mugwort plant rolled into thread like pieces with incense sending zaps of relieving heat into my lower back. Moxa helps to dissolve blockages, restore balance and expel pathogens. This was my absolute favorite part of the session, sending instant relief into a chronic area of discomfort.
Following the sessions, I felt relaxed, if not a little spacey. With that overall feeling of calm staying with me for the rest of the day, along with a sense of relief in my lower back.
Caroline put me at ease throughout the entire session, answering every question, offering the perfect mix of a warm and welcoming personality with professionalism and a clear mastering of what she does best. Have more questions? Make sure + take a peek at our FAQ below…
FAQ with Spark Wellness
What type of certification do you need to perform acupuncture?
Although it is up to the state to determine what certifications are required to become a licensed acupuncturist, for the majority, a practitioner is required 8 years of schooling. This includes an undergraduate degree as well as the successful completion of an acupuncture program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. After the completion of school, students allowed to sit for the National Board exams set by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). In Connecticut, it is required to pass all three national board exams including Western Biomedicine, Acupuncture Location, and Traditional Chinese Medical Theory before applying for a license through the Department of Health. Continuing Education is The Connecticut Society of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine’s website has a “Find an Acupuncturists” page where you can find a list all of the currently active Licensed Acupuncturists.
What ailments can acupuncture benefit?
Because acupuncture works to correct the underlying cause of disease as well as treat symptomatic pain, it can be used for a wide range of ailments from alleviating chemotherapy-induced nausea to improving fertility. The World Health Organization has compiled a list of conditions it has been shown to help. Although the list is long, acupuncture is especially effective for stress and symptoms that worsen with stress. It is useful for pain control, chronic fatigue, insomnia, common colds, and hormonal imbalances. Acupuncture has been used for people in various stages of recovery and detox for smoking cessation and alcohol addiction. It can help improve digestion, turn a breeched baby, and alleviate symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Does it hurt?
One of the main misconceptions of acupuncture is that it hurts, and this is usually the reason people do not venture to try. However, most patients are surprised to find that they do not feel anything at all. The needles are about the width of a human hair and when inserted gently by a skilled practitioner, it should be painless. After the points have been placed, depending on your level of overall sensitivity, you may begin to experience a dull ache or tingling sensation. While the experience will be different for everyone, this tingling, pulsing, heaviness or sensation of warmth is a sign that the points are being activating and that the treatment is working.
How does acupuncture work?
All of Chinese medicine in based on the philosophy that our energy flows along specific pathways, called meridians throughout the body. When this flow of energy gets blocked or weakened, pain and illness can result. Acupuncture therapy works by releasing blocked energy and encouraging proper flow through these channels. When this energetic framework is flowing properly, inner vitality is revitalized and the bodies innate capacity to heal itself is restored.
What is an acupuncture session like?
Acupuncturists are like health detectives and the more information they can gather (although seemingly unrelated) the more successful your treatments will be. After scheduling your first appointment, you will be emailed a detailed health history form that will us help paint the picture of your overall.
On your first appointment, you can expect a private one-on-one appointment to last about an hour and a half. First appointments are typically longer to allow for an in-depth conversation of your health history and primary health concerns. Afterwards, I take a few minutes to feel your pulse, look at your tongue and use abdominal palpation to gather more information on your bodies underlying health condition. You will be asked to remove your socks and shoes as well as roll your pants and sleeves up to your elbows and knees.
Every practitioner has their own style and mine is to treat in stages. I will begin with only a few needles and when you feel comfortable, leave you to relax or fall asleep for anywhere from 10 – 25 minutes. I will return to recheck your pulse or abdomen for changes and add a few more needles based on these changes. One-on-one treatments are always patient-centered and multi-layered allowing for extra time at the end for adjunctive techniques like cupping, moxa, and bodywork.
What do you need to do to prepare?
Acupuncture can be very moving as well as deeply relaxing. Be sure to drink plenty of water and have something to eat before arriving. Wearing loose clothing that can be rolled up allows access to important points between your ankles and knees.
What should I do after acupuncture?
Because acupuncture can have a very calming effect, it is best to take your time after an acupuncture appointment. To avoid feeling lightheaded make sure you drink plenty of water and eat before coming in for treatment. For your first appointment, you may want to consider allowing a few additional minutes post-treatment to sit in our waiting room, drink some water and allow the treatment to settle before driving. No matter how good you feel after the treatment, it is important not to overextend yourself. You should take it easy for a few days after the treatment. In addition, it is important to continue taking your prescribed medications.
How many treatments do I need?
The number of treatments needed can depend on what the condition is, how long it has been going on and your individual response to acupuncture. Similar to exercising, the effects of acupuncture treatments build on top of one another and the closer your sessions are to one another in the beginning, the faster you will experience results.
Acute pain conditions generally respond quickly and can be resolved within two to three treatments. For more chronic or internal issues, patients may need a series of 6 -10 visits for long term change. Degenerative conditions can require several additional treatments over time for pain management.
Generally, you should consider allowing a minimum of six treatments (one or two sessions a week for five to six weeks) to see how your body responds to treatment. Based on your condition, response to treatment, schedule and budget we can create a individual treatment plan to meet your health goals.
Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
For many people in Connecticut, insurance does not cover acupuncture, and those plans that do often cost a lot more. Although Spark Wellness does not file insurance claims in office, we provide our patients with coded receipts which detail services and can be submitted to insurance companies for reimbursement. It is always recommended to call the number on your insurance card directly and inquire whether you have coverage for acupuncture, whether they require pre-authorization, the percentage of reimbursement, deductible amount and covered treatments per year. For more information contact our clinic directly.
38 East Main Street
Mystic, CT 06355
(860) 464-4888
