"My Acupuncture treatments attempt to change your thinking and feeling toward the circumstances of life and the people around you. I treat the person, not the symptoms. In doing this, the symptoms fall away."
~ Allen A. Stovall L.Ac.
FAQ's
How do I make an Appointment?
Call 888.423.HEAL to schedule an Acupuncture treatment with Allen at his private practice in San Diego, CA.
What are your office hours?
10 AM to 8 PM, by appointment only.
May I ask a question using Phone or E-mail?
Oriental Medicine and Classical Five-Element Acupuncture are complete medical systems, with many possible diagnoses. We only give general answers over the phone or e-mail. For a specific and complete Traditional Diagnosis we request that you schedule a appointment. Traditional Diagnosis takes approximately 2 hours.
How are you different than any other Acupuncturist?
Classical Five-Element Acupuncture is much more than a physical treatment, it is a process which attempts to influence the emotions and intellect to act in a harmonious manner in relation with the Five Elements, to make conscious the spiritual and emotional conflicts within and bring the forces which are in conflict into a more harmonious relationship. I will not put 40 needles into you and then leave the room. I will be with you during the entire process to talk about your issue, your experience. This is a very interactive relationship between patient and practitioner. My treatments attempt to change your thinking and feeling toward the circumstances of life and the people around you. I treat the person, not the symptoms. In doing this the symptoms fall away.
Does Acupuncture hurt?
The needles used are sterile, very fine, solid needles and pain is rarely ever felt. You may feel a distended feeling or a feeling of pressure on some acu-points. Pain as associated with a hypodermic needle used in Western Medicine is not felt. You will feel Qi sensation, or Da Qi, which is a profound sensation where you feel energy move within the body. This is not painful.
Will acupuncture benefit someone who is very skeptical?
Yes. The healing process will not be affected in any way by the patient's skeptical attitude. I certainly had the worst attitude, I was sure it would not work. I was wrong!Acupuncture is routinely used on animals with great success. Placebos are ineffective with animal testing.
How is Classical Five-Element Acupuncture Different?
Chinese Medicine has undergone great changes in the past 100 years. The most important being the collapse of Imperial China in 1911. During the Communist revolution and social upheaval that followed, much of the medicine was adapted to Communist ideaology. Ideas such as spirit were considered superstitious and much of this doctrine was expunged from the medicine altogether. Psychic aspects of the organ systems which were once a major part of the medicine were thought to be clinically invalid (Andrew Ellis). Fortunately, Dr Worsley brought this wonderful style from China before it was too late. Clasical Five-Element Acupuncture seeks to treat the Causative Factor, or root factor. This treatment is based on the spirit and psyche of the patient. The restoration of balance in the flow of this energy can help a patient overcome any disease, even those apparently fixed in disturbances of physical matter. It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has.
Can acupuncture treatment help with emotional problems?
Classical Acupuncture views the body, mind, and spirit as a whole. All physical disorders will cause an imbalance in the mental outlook and spirit of a person. This may manifest as depression, anxiety, anger, sadness, and the like. Mental disturbances, stress, and emotional conflict will cause effect in the physical body such as insomnia, lack of appetite, fatigue, menstrual disorders, migraines, susceptibility to disease, aches, pains, and any labeled disease one can imagine. Any imbalance must manifest on all levels, all part of the whole. All Classical Acupuncture treatments aim to restore the harmony of body, mind, and spirit. Thus, the physical and non-physical sides of a patient are treated together. One of my mentors who practices in France, Daniel Laurant, is trained in this Clssical style of Acupuncture and is a psychotherapist. His inspiration led me to continue with my studies (Ph.D.) in Psychology. I have had outstanding success using Classical Five-Element Acupuncture for emotional and psychological problems. A recent study at the University of Arizona has found Acupuncture as effective as modern drugs for the treatment of depression, without side effects.
How many treatments are needed and how often?
This depends on the severity of the disease, how long the patient has suffered from it, as well as the lifestyle and other factors contributing to it. Treatments are given once per week for the first six to ten weeks. As the patient improves, visits are reduced to once every ten days, two weeks, once a month, and so on. One course of treatments is considered 10 treatments. Classical Acupuncture is a preventative system of medicine, as well as curative, it is advisable for healthy patients to come in periodically for checkups and maintenance, as the pulses can reveal if anything is going wrong in the body long before it manifests itself as a visible symptom.
What is Clinical Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Herbal Medicine is a natural and effective way to treat the body. Herbs are plants and substances found in the natural world, which have properties to heal disease and prevent illness. In Chinese Medicine there are thousands of herbs, today, over 400 substances are used. The Oriental Medical Doctor will mix several raw or powdered herbs together, which the patient will drink as a Tea. We are able to customize formulas for people's individual conditions. Clinical Chinese Herbal Medicine is available in the form of Teas, Tablets, Tinctures and Powders.
How much does it cost?
The initial examination and treatment (two hours) costs $165. Subsequent treatments (one hour) cost $96. Most insurance plans recognize Acupuncture as a covered benefit, but each policy holder should check with his or her representative or guidebook. We have chosen to operate outside of managed care. This is our way to provide you with the highest quality of care. No insurance is accepted. We accept cash, check, MC, Visa, Amex and Discover. We will give you a receipt to be reimbersed by your insurance upon request. Unless prior arrangements have been made, all visits are payable on the day of treatment. Medical treatments may be tax deductible. Please arrive 10 minutes early for your Traditional Diagnosis to complete initial paperwork.
Cancellation policy:
It is important that I be notified at least 24 hours in advance of any need to change a scheduled appointment. Unless there is an emergency situation, the patient will be charged the full fee for not keeping the scheduled appointment.
"The heart of things which cannot be seen with the eyes, that is where the seed of Buddha lies: make it grow and grow and truth will be yours."