1. Is acupuncture for me?

Acupuncture is used not only for pain management, but also as a holistic system of health care and health maintenance. Many Americans use it as an preemptive and holistic way to stay healthy and achieve their full potential. Cancer patients are treated for the side effects of chemotherapy to enhance their quality of life. Detoxification treatments have been proven to help those with chemical and/or substance abuse problems.

2. What problems has Michael Goopta treated so far?

Some of the patients of Mr. Goopta had reported following complaints: Allergies/Asthma, Anxiety/Depression, Arthritis/Joint problems, Back pain, bladder/kidney problems, childhood illnesses, colds/flu, cough/bronchitis, dizziness, drug addiction/smoking, fatigue, fibromyalgia, frozen shoulder, gastrointestinal disorders, gynecological disorders, headache/migraine, hot flashes, palpitations, high blood pressure, immune system deficiency, infertility, knee pain, menopausal discomfort, neck pain/stiffness, pre-menstrual syndrome, paralysis/numbness, rhinitis, sciatica, sexual dysfunction, shoulder pain, sinusitis, stress/tension, tendonitis, vision problems etc.

3. What is an acupuncture treatment like? or How is the treatment performed?

Extremely fine, hair-thin, flexible, single-use, sterilized disposable needles are placed at specific acupuncture points on the body. When the needles inserted you may experience a sensation of tingling or warmth. Patients are surprised to find that the treatments are actually quite relaxing. The length and frequency of a treatment may vary for each individual and is determined in consultation with the patient. Acupuncture treatments are scheduled according to the nature of the patient's condition. As the patient improves, fewer visits are required. Discuss your treatment plan with Michael, as each patient is different.

4. What should I keep in mind before coming for treatment?

You should wear loose clothing, preferably a very loose tee-shirt, and shorts (you may bring it with you, and change just before the treatment) so that the arms and legs are easily accessible for treatment. Patients may also need to take off their watch and jewelry before the treatment. It is also a good idea to have a good breakfast/meal before coming for treatment. Avoid caffeine, especially coffee, as it masks the true symptoms of the disease.

5. How often should I be treated?

The optimum frequency of treatment depends on the acuteness and intensity of disease, and patient's condition. Normally, I advise my patients to come for treatment twice or three times a week. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radtation therapy are advised to come for treatment every day or at least every time after their chemotherapy/radiation therapy session.

6. How long will it take me to get well?

In general, the longer and more chronic the condition of a patient is, longer it will take to get well. You should expect about one month of treatments, twice a week, for each year of illness. Please keep in mind that certain diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis C, Herpes etc. can not be completely eliminated (Yes! even in Chinese medicine). However, the quality of life can be much improved, and the patient can be pain free and well enough to do all normal daily tasks.

8. I have shoulder pain. Why do you put needles in my hand/foot?

Acupuncture is based on the theory of meridians which run along the body and arms and legs. Thus a problem in one part of body can be treated by stimulating another part of body. An apt analogy will be that if you want to turn off a light bulb before going to sleep, you turn off the conveniently located switch rather than take out the light bulb from its socket.

9. How safe is an acupuncture treatment?

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology are safe medical procedures and are well known for their efficacy and lack of side effects. We use pre-sterilized, disposable needles for administering acupuncture treatments.

10. What is a sliding scale?

Please pay us whatever you feel comfortable with on our scale of $20 to $30 (Town Clinic), or $40 to $50 (Rutherwood Clinic), keeping in mind that you may need a series of treatments. We want you to come in for acupuncture frequently enough to really feel better. For many thousands of years, acupuncture has been a people's medicine: low-tech, inexpensive, easily available, and very quiet, and we have brought it back to our beloved community of Boone.

11. How do I make the payments?

We accept cash and checks for the treatments performed. We currently do not have the capability to accept credit or debit cards. The fee is charged and payable before each treatment during a visit.