FAQs About Acupuncture

Acupuncture should not hurt. It is normal to sometimes feel heaviness, aching or

tingling around the site of the needle insertion. In general, most people find

acupuncture very relaxing.

It is the law that all acupuncture needles are sterilized, single use needles. That
means the needles are sterile, only used once and then disposed of. This prevents
any spread of infections and ensures that every needle is clean and safe to use.

Usually the needles are inserted to a depth of 1/4 to 1 inch. Depth depends on the size

of the person, the site, and the nature of the problem.

20-30 minutes is the optimal time for needles to stay in place and for the the

meridians to experience flow and rebalance.

Your first visit will include a full Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment where

you are asked a number of questions about your health. Your tongue will be

observed and your pulse taken: these are two very important diagnostic techniques

in Chinese medicine to determine certain aspects of your health. This takes

approximately half an hour. The rest of the time is spent getting your treatment.

Expect to spend about 1 1/2 hours for your first session and 1 hour for subsequent

sessions.

This depends on the condition being treated. If your condition is fairly new and

short-lasting, you may only need one or two treatments. However, if it is a chronic

condition you have had for a long time, you may require 5 to 15 treatments. Some

very chronic conditions will require many treatments.

Dr. Tamara Kuss is a Registered Acupuncturist and Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In
BC, one must attend an accredited college and pass a very stringent government exam to practice in British Columbia.

Dr. Tamara Kuss is a Registered Acupuncturist and Doctor of Chinese Medicine. In Alberta, one must attend an accredited college and pass a very stringent government exam to practice in Alberta.

Direct billing offered through most insurance companies!

If you don't have insurance, acupuncture may be claimed as a medical expense on your income tax returns.

Allergy Elimination works by removing energy blockages in the body. These energy

blockages affect the function of the organs and the immune system, causing your

reactions. By removing these blockages, we remove your reactions and the body

starts healing.

Expect to be here about an hour for the first session, and 1/2 hour for subsequent

sessions.

The number of treatments depends on a few factors: how many allergies you would

like to clear, as well as how many of the 10 basics you were weak/ imbalanced to. It is

important to clear the basics first because those usually represent underlying

imbalances that perhaps contribute to your current allergies. Some clients only

require 2-3 treatments, while other, more chronic or severe cases do require up to 15

treatments.

Allergy Elimination is a series of treatments. People often come once per week, but it

is up to you and depends on how quickly you would like to deal with your allergies.

If for some reason you take a break from treatments, we just pick up where you left

off. You do not need to start over.

Some patients report feeling energized after a treatment, while some feel very tired.

I always suggest to keep hydrated because your body is going through a detox

reaction. When working with emotions or the nervous system, a person may feel

very mellow, calm, or have an emotional response.

Most patients will begin to see improvements after a few treatments. Occasionally,

people will start to see improvement after the very first treatment. Be patient. Often

you have been suffering from this condition for years, so it will take time for the

body to readjust to its new balance.

Allergy Elimination Therapy does not interfere with any medications or treatments.

However, as the body heals, you may want to adjust other treatments or

medications. You must always work with your other health care providers when

making any changes to your medications or care.

Allergy Elimination treatments are almost always permanent. Once you clear an

allergy, it is expected that you will remain clear in the future. Things that may reset

your treatments include physical or emotional trauma, or pregnancy and child birth.

We can treat any age, from newborns upward.

NAET does not require the use of needles. For children and others who prefer

acupressue, I use an activator to stimulate certain acupuncture points, called gate

points, to supplement the treatment and to keep the channels and pathways open. It

is also a good idea to do these at home, especially when symptoms arise.

NAET can be billed directly and is covered under Acupuncture as it is directly related to an acupuncture treatment.