Offering an Ancient Healing Art to Our Patients Acupuncture is a holistic, energy based approach to healthcare that is more than 2,000 years old in East Asia. It includes a variety of procedures that stimulate specific points on the surface of the body. This stimulation is achieved through the use of ultra thin needles, heat, electricity, or finger pressure. The purpose of acupuncture is to normalize energetic functions within the body-mind continuum. In Western terms, it stimulates the nervous system to release certain chemicals in the brain. It also promotes the body-mind’s own innate healing abilities. Acupuncture relieves pain, promotes relaxation and provides emotional balance. Return to top of page Questions about Acupuncture
1. Do the needles hurt?
Acupuncture is a gentle therapy. People often find it so relaxing that they fall asleep during therapy with the needles still in place! Unlike hypodermic hollow needles, or “shots”, acupuncture needles are extremely thin, about the width of a hair. They are made of stainless steel and are very flexible. Insertion of these needles is often painless. The sensation during acupuncture needle insertion varies among individuals. Once the needles are in place there is no pain at all. Acupuncture needles are all sterile, one time use. 2. How do I prepare for acupuncture?
The following guidelines will enhance your response to treatment: - Wear loose fitting clothing
- Be sure to eat something a few hours before treatment.
- Refrain from drinking alcohol on the day of treatment.
- Continue to take all prescription drugs.
- Do not take recreational drugs. Alcohol and recreational drugs interfere with the effectiveness of treatment.
- Keep notes about how you respond to treatment. Your acupuncturist may base your next treatment on your response to the last treatment.
Return to top of page Main Indications for Acupuncture Service at the Johns Hopkins - Pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Xerostomia (Dry mouth)
- Smoking Reduction
- Neuropathy
For more information about acupuncture: Return to top of page
Referral for Acupuncture Treatment
Currently, only Johns Hopkins cancer patients are eligible in acupuncture program at Johns Hopkins Hospital (unless you are in a research study).
A written referral from your physician is required.
Please use existing Consultation Form to indicate Patient name, location, history, diagnosis, reason for referral for acupuncture such as pain (location), nausea, mucositis, etc. Return to top of page Cautions
If your lab is not done at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, you must bring recent blood work results, a list of your current and recent medications, and other relevant information to your first visit. Your acupuncturist will review this information to determine your eligibility for treatment. For our regular acupuncture service, patients with the following conditions may not be eligible: - Acute irregular heartbeat, or heart failure
- Pacemaker (ineligible for electrical stimulation, but eligible for manual acupuncture)
- Platelet count less than 50,000
- ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count) less than 500
- WBC (White Blood Cell) count less than 1500
- Current or recent (past 2 weeks) treatment with Heparin, coumarin, lovenox or other anticoagulants (a coagulation profile may be needed to determine eligibility)
- Liver failure
- Unstable diabetes
- Severely disturbed patient
* The specific eligibility in various conditions such as clinical research can be different case by case. Return to top of page Contact Information
For Acupuncture and CIM Clinical Program, please contact:
Kathleen Menten, APRN, MSN, LAc
Phone: 410-502-0934 / Fax: 410-502-3624
Email: kmenten1@jhmi.edu For Acupuncture and CAM Research, please contact:
Sanghoon Lee, KMD, PhD, LAc
Phone: 410-502-2466 / Fax: 410-502-3624
Email: slee204@jhmi.edu Return to top of page | 
