Common Questions about Traditional East Asian Medicine

What type of services does Inwood Family Acupuncture offer?
Inwood Family Acupuncture (IFA) offers treatment and/or consultation with acupuncture, shonishin, nutritional counseling and other Traditional East Asian Medicine modalities.

What are Selina's qualifications?
Selina has a Masters of Science in Acupuncture from Pacific College of Health and Science, where she completed 900 clinical hours and more than 1700 hours of didactic hours in biomedicine and Chinese medicine.  She is a New York State Licensed Acupuncturist and a Diplomate of Acupuncture of the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.  Selina has also completed a certification course in Gua Sha, a special technique that has been shown to have protective effects on multiple tissues and organs.  For more information, please visit About Selina.

What is Traditional East Asian Medicine? How does it feel?
Traditional East Asian Medicine consists of acupuncture, acupressure, shonishin, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, and tui na, a form of therapeutic massage. Acupuncture alone is the insertion and stimulation of thin, disposable sterile needles at strategic points near the surface of the body. The technique is often combined with palpation along specific paths on the external limbs or abdomen, or the use of specialized tools along those same areas.  Often times, tui na, a form of therapeutic massage, gua sha, a coining technique, or cupping, are applied to specific areas of the body to enhance the treatment outcomes.  

How are children treated? What is shonishin? 
Children are often treated using the techniques of Traditional East Asian Medicine, but without needles.  A variety of tools are used in the practice of shonishin, which involves gentle rolling, pressing, and scraping along the skin to stimulate acupuncture points and channels.  Children as young as six months can receive treatments this way.  Many children describe the experience as ticklish, or weird.  Parents remain in the room throughout a treatment, and follow-up often will involve recommendations for the entire family.

Is acupuncture and Traditional East Asian Medicine safe? 
When practiced by a trained professional from an accredited school of Oriental Medicine, acupuncture is extremely safe. The treatment does not involve the use of drugs, which reduces the possible adverse effects. However, there are certain conditions you should notify your practitioner before undergoing treatment if you have certain conditions, such as bleeding disorders, uncontrolled hypertension, or if you have a pacemaker. A thorough patient intake is performed during the first visit in order to determine any potential areas of concern.

What should I expect during my first visit?  What happens during additional visits?
All new patients complete a patient information form and health history that includes questions about your medical history, your family's medical history, and your lifestyle. It is a good idea to bring with you any copies of previous tests, lab results and any medications or supplements you are currently taking. The physical exam may include taking vital signs as well as detailed examination of the pulse and tongue, abdominal palpation and facial diagnosis. When your practitioner arrives at a working diagnosis, they will place you in a comfortable position to insert the needles. After the needles are inserted, you will relax in the treatment room for 10 to 30 minutes. Your practitioner will then return and take out the needles. You should wear comfortable clothing to increase your comfort during the treatment.  Follow-up treatments may involve less time discussing one's history, and increased resting time with the needles.  Even if you come in for the same condition each time, the placement of needles and other therapies may vary based on the evaluation the practitioner does that day.  Just as you change each day, your treatment will change as well.  

How many needles are inserted?
The number of needles varies depending on the person, but tends to be less than twenty.  When treating children, the child’s preference is considered to achieve the optimal treatment outcome.

How long are the appointments?
While this can sometimes vary, generally a new patient's first visit will last between 60-90 minutes. Selina requests that all new patients complete their initial form prior to arrival to maximize your treatment time. Subsequent appointments generally last between 45-60 minutes.  Children's appointments are sometimes shorter.

How long will it take to get better?
Sometimes health concerns take more than one treatment to resolve. Expect to have four to six treatments before reassessment, depending on the length of time you've experienced symptoms. Many problems may require ten or more treatments before significant benefits accrue. Along the way, though, you should see an improvement in your emotional and physical health as your main complaint improves as well.  You and Selina are partners in your treatment.  As recommendations are discussed and implemented, your healing process will proceed faster.  For chronic conditions, look to improvement in your activities of every day life in addition to relief of your immediate symptoms.  

How should I prepare for my first visit? 
In addition to bringing copies of any previous medical records and medications or supplements you are currently taking, please wear loose fitting clothing and have something light to eat approximately thirty minutes before your appointment.  While brushing your teeth is encouraged, scraping your tongue is not. And remember to drink non-caffeine liquids before and after your treatment. Try not to schedule anything too hectic after the treatment; give your body some time to adjust to its new state.  

I want to try acupuncture but I can't afford private treatment. What are my options?
Selina offers competitive rates for treatment.  She also provides discounts for elders, active duty military, and students.  

If you can't afford private treatment, Selina works with other practitioners to offer sliding scale acupuncture at Brooklyn Open Acupuncture, in Fort Greene.   

How do I make an appointment?
Click here to get started.  

What is your cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel an appointment, we require 24 hours advance notice. Advance notification allows us to offer your appointment to a person on the waitlist. Missed appointments and cancellations with less than 24 hours notice are subject to the full appointment fee.

What are your days and hours of operation?
Currently, Selina sees patients at their homes on Mondays, and at Inwood Healing Arts on Fridays.  Home visits are also available on a case by case basis in Upper Manhattan.

Where are you located? What are the directions to your clinic?
Private treatments take place in Inwood, or in your home.