I tried acupuncture for the first time last week. In California did I get scammed?

Question

I was on the boardwalk in Venice California, and went to this place to get a massage. I also saw they did accupuncture and I always wanted to try so I did. Probably not to wise going to a random place. He looked at my tounge and said I was wet or something and my eyes too. DId acupuncutre said my kidneys were weak etc. Tried to sell me these chinese herbs which I bought reluctantly one im supposed to take 24 pills a day its called rehmanni has anyone ever heard of that and some other stuff called feng shi xio tang wan/

Answer 1

I do think that you were scammed. You did not go to someone that was licensed nor had any professional knowledge about the topic- as you describe this person. Also, I wouldn't be taking ANY pills some stranger on a beach gives me. Why would you trust that person? Go to your doctor or pharmacist if you need medicine. Please don't take medicine from strangers.

Answer 2

You can read a bit about your herbal formula here: http://www.lifestrong.com/html/product_categories/product_list/feng_shi_xiao_tong_wan.html



Dampness and Kidney deficiency are a common diagnoses in Chinese medicine. The formula is consistent with what you were told. Tongue diagnosis as well as pulse diagnosis is usually done before an acupuncture treatment. Observing your eyes and complexion is a good thing for a practitioner to do.



I was not there with you, but acupuncture in California is highly regulated so odds are you were not in any danger. Still, you have to be a wise consumer and you should select someone you trust. I have been to doctors, dentists, chiropractors, etc. that I felt were a waste of time. I have been to great ones, too. It sounds like you two did not click, and maybe the practitioner was skilled but had a hard-sell style and saw you as a one-shot deal. That says more about the individual person than the profession.



By the way, I am pretty sure that the correct formula name is Feng Shi Xiao Tong Wan (wind dampness formula or aka arthritis formula) so you can do a search for that if you like.



You did not mention anything about the acupuncture treatment itself, so I am hoping that it was good :D

Answer 3

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are more strongly regulated in California than in any other U.S. state. In addition, the requirements for study are much more rigorous. That being said, it is important that you check and make sure that your acupuncturist is properly educated and has taken (and passed!) the California state boards. If you are travelling outside of California, the practitioner should have passed the national boards, and whatever else is required by the state you are in. Also, a legitimate acupuncturist should be using standard protocols for charting. If you are unsure of your diagnosis and want to have it checked by an acupuncturist who you know to be licensed, copies of your chart must be made available to you.



Regarding the kidneys, the terminology in Chinese medicine is based on metaphor and energetics, and usually does not match up with the terminology in the west. Kidney deficiency could mean a number of things, depending on the exact diagnosis, but would typically NOT mean that anything is wrong with the actual organs that filter the blood. More likely, based on what you have said, I would guess that you are suffering from either some sort of arthritic or chronic joint pain, lower back pain, or both. If this is the case, then you were probably prescribed the right herbs. I don't want to say definitely, because I have not seen you as a patient.

I wish you good luck and good health!

Answer 4

No, that is standard procedure for an acupuncture treatment, along with taking the pulse in both wrists, and getting a medical history from you.



Acupuncture aids the qi flow, and the herbs adjust the hot-cold and wet-dry properties of the body. Those along with a healthy diet and regular exercise will help the body to heal itself.



Give it a shot, and I think you will be surprised at the beneficial changes you will notice.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Acupuncture is regulated in CA, meaning the acupuncturist has to have a license. Chances are you weren't scammed, however, you should probably research the herbs a bit further online or check out a herb book before taking anything.

Answer 7

Feng shi xio tang wan... roughly translated it means pill to drain wind and damp. Just wondering if the dude felt your pulse. (I'm an acupuncturist myself) and got a good history.

Answer 8

yes some of the herbs do work, and yes even get your kidneys check by a real doctor as well, and yes they are in that field did you see the license on the wall if so they do not get them from cracker jack boxes but real meds used in herbs.

Answer 9

a real acupunturist is probably a valid "profession" in my opinion but i haven't been to one. i guess it depends on the quality of the massage place but my suspicions would be that they really don't know what they are doing and take advantage of folks that just wander in (no offense intended)