Expert: Heather Vandeburg L.Ac M.S.O.M. dipl.Ac - 7/17/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have been diagnosed with Sjogren's for over a year.  Before this, I have started loosing my teeth due to severe dry mouth for years. thanks for your prompt response.


ANSWER: Hi Brenda,
I have treated people with Sjogren's Syndrome before.  Acupuncture and Chinese herbals can help control the symptoms.  I know a case of a man that had his salivary glands irradiated and they didn't work.  Acupuncture was able to help him produce saliva even though his salivary glands had been destroyed.

Good luck,
Heather Vandeburg LAc MSOM dipl Ac

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Approximately, how many acupuncture sessions should I be treated?  I have received four sessions of acupuncture and herbal medicine; I have not seen any improvements. thanks,

Answer
Brenda,
It would be difficult for me to say how long it will take for you to see improvement.  This would be a good question for your acupuncturist. As a rule of thumb.  The longer you have a condition the longer it will take to treat. The more "thorny" difficult the condition the longer it will take to treat.  I would say you are looking at least a few series of treatments.  A series is 10-12.  You should start to see some subtle changes like relaxation with your treatment or, more energy or, better sleep. This should start to appear in I would say 6 or 7 treatments.  I would talk with your acupuncturist about his/her treatment plan.

Warm regards,
Heather Vandeburg LAc MSOM diplAc