Frequently Asked Questions

What is integrative medicine?
The combined efforts of the best of Western medicine and eastern medicine philosophy into a single approach to present patients with the safest and most beneficial kind of treatment there is available to them.

Do the acupuncture needles hurt?
In most cases, no. Some people who are really, really sensitive may experience a tiny, really fast prick sensation and it’s over – others get a deep warm ache in where the needles go, but for the most part, people don’t feel anything. Some parts of the body that are really sensitive, so try to avoid them and use other parts of the body for treatment.

How does acupuncture work?
Chinese medicine is based on the theory that, in the body, there is a constant flow of energy life force, or “qi”. And disease is created when there is an interruption in the natural flow of energy through the body. Think of it as though the body’s energy is like a river that, when blocked or dammed, can no longer feed the blocked part which suffers. The acupuncture needles are placed in strategic points in the body that encourage those blocked channels to open, therefore restoring the natural flow of qi.

How often do I need acupuncture?
Generally, we start with once a week. If the patient responds, and the condition gets better, we can spread to every other week and go into a maintenance phase. Rarely some conditions require more frequent treatments than that.

What types of conditions can acupuncture treat?
Dr. Solomon primarily specializes in issues of chronic pain, stress and life issues that create illness. However, acupuncture has been used to treat almost every medical condition there is, and we do have other practitioners available who can treat general medical conditions.

Does Dr. Solomon’s office always do Chinese medicine?
No, Dr. Solomon is a UCLA trained Western physician who uses Chinese medicine in conjunction with traditional Western approach to patient care. He determines at the time of your visit what approach is most appropriate for your situation.

Does my insurance pay for acupuncture?
Most insurance companies recognize acupuncture as a viable form of medicine and cover it to some extent, especially if performed by a physician. Dr. Solomon is a provider for Medicare, BC/BS, and his office is accustomed to working with many other carriers as well. We urge you to contact our offices so we can verify coverage for you.

Do I need a referral to see Dr. Solomon?
That depends on your insurance carrier. Patients with Medicare and PPO generally don’t need any referrals, but our office is able to verify your coverage in advance of your first appointment. And previous medical treatment / history is always helpful for your first appointment.

What other services does Dr. Solomon’s office offer?
We offer a variety of services, including: Chinese acupressure / massage, trigger point injections, movement therapy, hypnotherapy, reiki, reflexology, energetic chiropractic, and cold laser therapy. If you have a question about a particular modality, please ask our office as we may be able to provide you a referral or our service offerings have increased.

What is The RIPE Factor™?
The RIPE Factor™ is Responsible Intention Positive Energy as a healing lifestyle, which incorporates mind-body approaches to wellness as well as the proactive responsibility of the patient for consistent wellness practices on a daily basis.