Acupuncture and the Treatment of Insomnia

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for insomnia and those who have trouble staying asleep at night.  Acupuncture along with individualized herbal formulas have been shown to help those that suffer from poor sleep.

Acupuncture for Digestive Disorders

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are proven effective for treating symptoms related to IBS, Crohn's disease or other digestive problems.  Some patients see results after the first visit.  Each patient is treated individually, as there is no "one size fits all" treatment when it comes to treating with acupuncture and herbs.  Formulas are often custom tailored to the patient's needs.  Acupuncture points will also vary patient to patient and some times treatment to treatment.

Appointments are available. Contact my office for more information, (951) 698-7977

Women's Health and Acupuncture

Aside from pain, another thing that responds very well to acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is women's health.  This includes relief from symptoms of menopause, dysmenorrhea (painful periods), amenorrhea (lack of a period), PMS and other hormonal conditions.  Many patients respond quickly to treatment and see improvement within the first couple of months.  So get your life in balance and come in for some acupuncture.

How can acupuncture help with infertility?

There are many different causes for male and female infertility. Acupuncture has proven to be very effective at improving the chances for conception when used in conjunction with Chinese herbs and a proper diet.  IVF success has also shown statistically to improve dramatically when acupuncture is also incorporated. Contact my office for more information and a free consultation. (951) 698-7977

Can headaches be treated successfully with acupuncture?

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas can be quite effective at eliminating headaches and migraine pain. Reoccurring headaches can also be greatly reduced from regular acupuncture treatments.  Visit MurrietaAcupuncture.com for more information or call today for an appointment 951-698-7977.

What does it mean to be a Licensed Acupuncturist?

There are many people now offering to place needles as part of their treatment plan, but only a Licensed Acupuncturist can perform acupuncture. What does it mean to be one and what does it take to get that license?  I discuss those things in this video.

You can verify and locate a Licensed Acupuncturist near you for California here.  For other states, you can check here.

What can I expect at my first acupuncture treatment?

If you have ever wondered what you will experience during your first acupuncture visit, I explain it in this video.  Mike Worley, L.Ac. is part of Chiropractic Plus, providing acupuncture and herbal therapy to patients throughout Murrieta and Temecula Valley.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact my office at (951) 698-7977.

Wellness One Stop Shop at Chiropractic Plus

Common Questions About Acupuncture - Answered!

There are many questions heard regularly when I tell people that I am an acupuncturist.  Below, I have listed answers to these types of questions.

Do acupuncture needles hurt? This question is always a little tricky because it depends on what you mean by “hurt.” Acupuncture needles do not feel like getting a shot. Unlike hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles are thin, tiny and flexible. They are not inserted deeply. However, you might feel something. Sometimes you may feel a prick—like getting a mosquito bite. You may feel tingling or fullness when I adjust the needles. But in most cases, you’ll forget about the needles as you rest on the table.

Are there any side-effects from acupuncture? There are rarely side-effects from acupuncture. Sometimes there may be bruising or soreness, especially if you have a cupping or Gua Sha. Or you may feel light-headed or ungrounded after a session. Occasionally there is an emotional release. When people complain of worsening symptoms or fatigue from acupuncture, often it is actually a sign of healing. If your Qi has been blocked, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms as it resumes flowing. To understand this, imagine a garden hose with a kink in it. The kink stops the water from flowing; when you straighten it out, the water bursts out of the hose before it begins flowing normally again. Qi behaves the same way. If you notice your symptoms getting worse after a treatment, contact me. I can suggest ways to reduce your discomfort and speed your healing.

Is acupuncture a placebo? This is a hotly contested question in the scientific community. Periodically a new study comes out, proving or disproving acupuncture. Of course, I don’t think acupuncture is a placebo. I have seen acupuncture work on many patients and I’ve seen extraordinary results. I have no doubt about its efficacy and confidently recommend it to everyone. But research has mixed results and it’s hard to weed through all the studies to come to a conclusion. Many studies about acupuncture are poorly designed with too small a sample or subjective results. Some studies focus on acupuncture for a single disease or condition and don’t translate their findings into broad conclusions. And of course, “acupuncture” is a broad term describing many techniques and many styles of practice. It’s hard to study all the variations. One big stumbling block to proving that acupuncture works is that western science doesn’t understand how it works. There are many theories but none of them cover all the effects of acupuncture all of the time. Since scientists can’t figure it out, they continue to question if it really exists. I think the biggest question to ask yourself is if you have seen results. Does acupuncture work for you? Do you feel better after an appointment? Why do you turn the needles? Turning the needles helps them work more effectively. It both helps move Qi and tells me if the Qi has started to move.

Can you poke through my organs? No, I will not poke through any organs other than your skin. Acupuncture needles are very thin and tiny, and are only inserted skin-deep. However if you Google this topic, you will find alarming articles which claim that acupuncture can lead to lung collapse. Many of these articles refer to a study by the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, which found some cases of pneumothorax (collapsed lung) caused by acupuncture. I don’t know the details of these cases but they are very surprising. It’s hard to imagine a situation where a well-trained acupuncturist would puncture a lung. And it’s interesting to note that the NHS (the source of the study) concludes that acupuncture is a "low harm” treatment. The NHS notes that these cases are very, very rare compared to the millions of acupuncture treatments each year. If you are really concerned about the health risks of acupuncture, contact me. Let’s talk. I will answer all of your questions openly and honestly so you can make an informed choice.


Will acupuncture needles make me bleed? Generally, no. Sometimes there is a tiny droplet of blood but it is easily wiped away with a cotton ball. Acupuncture needles are very fine.

Can you treat young kids? Acupuncture is effective for all ages, all stages of life, from babies to the elderly. I welcome kids and have found some kids respond even more quickly to treatment than adults.

Is acupuncture good for treating ________________________________?  The odds are, yes. Call my office and set up a free consultation.  We can discuss your particular situation, 951-698-7977.  

What Is a Licensed Acupuncturist?

There are many reasons why you should only seek acupuncture from licensed acupuncturists.  You wouldn't go to an amateur tattoo artist for a tattoo. You also wouldn't go to a veterinarian if you've got the flu, even if they are well trained in animal biology.  If you are seeking acupuncture, it is important you find one that is a Licensed Acupuncturist or L.Ac.  When you find one, be sure to ask where they received their training, which acupuncture school did they attended, and what is their California acupuncture license number.  With the answers to these specific questions you will be able to discover if they are truly a Licensed Acupuncturist or another physician that merely took a weekend course in how to insert needles.

A licensed acupuncturist uses specific information obtained during an initial consultation and exam that allows them to create a treatment plan for you, the patient. Aside from asking a list of detailed of questions, they will also ask to look at your tongue and check your pulse. These diagnostic checks provide more information on what type of treatment might be required and help us to understand what is going on inside the body. Traditional acupuncture done within the scope of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic type of patient care.

Other professions may claim to be licensed to perform acupuncture, but you should know that the amount of time and depth of training pales to that of an acupuncturist who has graduated from a school of Chinese medicine with at least a master's degree.

Currently, chiropractors are only required to have 300 hours of training to perform acupuncture, and many have much less. Physical therapists have been performing “dry needling” which is the insertion of acupuncture needles into certain areas of the body. Do not be fooled: dry needling is merely acupuncture being given by unlicensed acupuncturists. Many times physical therapists have as few as 10 hours of training, in comparison to the 1,850 hours it takes to become a licensed acupuncturist. It is worth noting that many other acupuncturists, such as myself, have as many as 3,200 hours or more of training that includes herbal studies and clinic internships. All of those hours also do not account for the time I spent on an internship in Taiwan at a hospital which integrates both western medicine with traditional Chinese medicine.

Even beyond the field of acupuncture, this should be a concern of patients and customers. Know your provider and find out what there background is, even before your first visit.

Weight Loss With Acupuncture

In 2012, the publication Acupuncture in Medicine ran a report showing that acupuncture works by normalising a number of our body’s key hormones. This small study investigated the effect of 5 weeks of acupuncture on weight loss and measured a circulating level of specific hormones involved in weight management in 40 obese women with a BMI greater than 30.

Weight loss in Chinese medicine In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), excess weight is due to an imbalance within the body cause by a malfunctioning spleen and liver. In Chinese medicine theory, the spleen is responsible for the proper functioning of the digestive system, whilst disharmony of the spleen can create symptoms such as fatigue, slow metabolism and water retention. Our modern lifestyle and associated chronic stress can negatively impact the livers ability to function properly, which can cause the spleen and in turn, the digestive system to function poorly and decrease metabolism. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs address both the physiological and psychological aspects of weight loss. Using TCM to aide your weight loss can help promote better digestion, calm emotions, reduce appetite and also speed up metabolism.

I have also received an order of a Chinese herbal formula that has been working well for patients on the journey to a healthy lifestyle.  Give my office a call today for a free consultation, 951-698-7977.

The TCM Diet Tips

In traditional Chinese health care practices, food has always been used to prevent disease, strengthen the body and prolong life. The Chinese advocate simple, uncomplicated and light diets. Think of the poor man’s diet – not a lot of sweet, salted, processed, greasy, or rich tasting foods. It means eating “simple” foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds with small bits of meat (think Chinese food). This also means small amounts of dairy foods, without pesticides, chemicals, or hormones, and with the full fat – just like your grandmother used to eat. The full fat dairy is more balanced and therefore more nutritious than its low and no-fat counterparts, because it is in the whole, untouched form, the way nature intended it to be. It’s ok to eat dairy, but most people shouldn’t eat very much of it – once a day is a safe bet.

Chinese dietary therapy suggests that those struggling with unwanted weight should try to avoid foods which tend to be damp and phlegm-producing, like dairy. Other foods that can create unwanted phlegm (which in Chinese medicine, also turns into fat) are: bananas, excess citrus fruits, peanut butter, sugars, sweet foods, and soy foods. It is important to eat and drink foods that are mostly warm, cooked, and easy to digest, that are lightly flavored with herbs and spices, which will further aid in promoting digestion (again, not too spicy!) This means smoothies, salads, and cold drinks only in the summer and always in moderation! Cold and raw things in the stomach, will lead to a “dampening” of the digestive system and a chilling of the metabolism. This digestive “fire” or energy in Chinese medicine can, over time, be put out when too many cold things are put in it. This also chills your body and slows down your circulation. Scientifically speaking, cold inhibits enzymatic activity and your foods won’t get assimilated and properly used. And lastly, purchase organic foods as much as possible – especially your meats and dairy items.  Grass fed beef and free range chicken is best. Also almond milk is preferable over soy milk. Just eat healthy!

Spring Allergies and Acupuncture

Allergies, or allergic rhinitis, are due to an over-reactivity of the immune system to certain allergens. During Spring and Summer, allergies are generally induced by wind-born tree, grass, or weed pollen, and can cause such symptoms as: sneezing; nasal congestion; runny nose; watery, itchy, or red eyes; headaches; fatigue; and sometimes coughing and wheezing.

Temecula Valley often has high pollen and mold counts.  Chinese medicine can help bring relief of symptoms, correct imbalances of the immune system, prevent the occurrence of infection, and allow healing of tissues of the sinuses.

From the point of view of Chinese medicine theory, allergic rhinitis is due to a deficiency of the Lung and Kidney’s Defensive-Qi systems, combined with retention of chronic “Wind” in the nose.  Basically, a weakness inside one of the body’s many systems.

Treat allergies with acupuncture and herbs.

Common nasal allergies often start in early childhood, with a constitutional weakness, but it may also start later in life, with a progressive decline of Kidney-Qi. Lung and Kidney Qi Deficiency is the root of the problem, therefore, with herbal medicine and acupuncture we strengthen and nourish these organs. The manifestation of the disease is Wind invading the Lung channel in the nose. This accounts for the acute attacks. With herbs and acupuncture, we clear the Wind, reduce congestion, and open the nasal passages. It is necessary to treat both the root and the manifestation in order to produce lasting results.

The Western treatment of allergic rhinitis relies mostly on the use of antihistamine agents. Unfortunately, antihistamines only treat the manifestations of the disease and not the root. In addition, they cause side-effects such as dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, nervousness, dryness, and gastro-intestinal disturbance. Many people notice immediate results, often with a single treatment. Additionally, there are some inexpensive herbal formulas that are quite effective at clearing congested noses and bring quick relief without the need for over-the-counter drugs.  Come and see Mike at Temecula Valley Acupuncture for your treatment.