About Acupuncture
Acupuncture is not only the oldest successful medical system in the world, it is the most commonly used.
Over one third of the world’s population uses acupuncture as part of their healthcare.
Acupuncture is a safe, effective and drug free therapy that can address a wide variety of ailments.
Acupunture has a long history
Although relatively new to the Western world, acupuncture originated in
Acupuncture and herbal medicine, including theory, practice, diagnosis, and treatments, were recorded in classical Chinese texts about 200 B.C.E., and refined over many centuries.
It is the oldest continuously documented medical system still in use to diagnose, treat and prevent illnesses.
This system was unified by Communist China in the 1900’s and today is referred to as Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM.
The practices of acupuncture spread throughout
Ancient Energy Theory
Acupuncture is based on the theory that health is determined by a balanced flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”),
the vital energy present in all living organisms.
According to acupuncture theory, Qi is circulated in the body along energy pathways, called meridians.
There are over one thousand acu-points within the meridian system that can be stimulated to
affect the flow of Qi.
Combinations of acupuncture points help correct and rebalance the flow of energy and consequently restore health.
Acupuncture is a complete, holistic system used to successfully treat illness and maintain wellness. It is
rooted in the understanding that the mind, body and spirit are connected and that when one component
is out of balance, it will affect the others. Qi energy moves in pathways throughout the body, and in every cell.
The quality and quantity of Qi influences our health. Qi can become blocked or stuck, causing imbalances
and eventually, disease. Physical or emotional trauma, stress, lack of exercise, poor diet, weak constitution,
and seasonal cycles can all lead to imbalances that may eventually result in illness and pain. Stimulation of
acu-points relieves blockages and restores the flow of Qi, encouraging the body's natural ability to heal itself.
Into the West
Perhaps no other alternative therapy has gained acceptance more quickly than acupuncture. Most Americans had never heard of acupuncture until 1971, when New York Times correspondent James Teston wrote a startling first article about acupuncture following his emergency appendectomy in
Scientific research has discovered that the acupuncture points show a variety of unique bioelectrical properties. Stimulation of these points causes specific physiological reactions affecting brain activity, blood pressure, heart rate and the immune system.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
In light of the millions of people treated each year in the
What Conditions Are Commonly Treated by Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems.
These are common ailments that acupuncture and TCM have been shown therapeutic in treating:
addictions (alcohol, drug, smoking),
anxiety,
arthritis,
asthma,
bronchitis,
carpel tunnel syndrome,
colitis,
common cold,
constipation,
dental pain,
depression,
diarrhea,
digestive disorders,
dizziness,
dysentery,
emotional problems,
eye problems,
facial palsy/ tics,
fatigue,
fertility,
fibromyalgia,
gingivitis,
headaches,
hiccough,
incontinence,
indigestion,
irritable bowel syndrome,
low back pain,
menopause,
menstrual irregularities,
migraine,
morning sickness,
nausea,
osteoarthritis,
pain,
PMS,
pneumonia,
reproductive problems,
rhinitis,
sciatica,
shoulder pain,
sinusitis,
sleep disturbances,
smoking cessation,
sore throat,
stress,
tennis elbow,
tonsillitis,
tooth pain,
trigeminal neuralgia,
urinary tract infections (UTI),
vomiting,
wrist pain, and many, many others.
TCM Modalities
Common practices used in TCM include: acupressure and acupuncture, moxibustion (burning a compressed herb near the skin to conduct heat into meridians), herbal medicine, nutrition, cupping (application of warmed suction cups to muscular regions of the body), Chinese massage (called tui na), exercise (such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong which combine movement with meditation).
What should I expect on my first visit?
Allow 2 hours for your first visit. After you complete a confidential
health questionnaire, you will be asked additional questions about your
medical history and then under go a brief physical exam to look for
signs of imbalance. Your skin, tongue, and hair, as well as other parts
of your body (from the brightness of your eyes to the color of your nails),
will be examined as will six pulses on your wrists be checked to help to
determine if one or more of your organ networks are effected.
A personalized treatment plan utilizing a combination of therapies
will be used to correct any imbalances in your body.
Patients find the treatments very relaxing.
Somemay feel a slight pinch upon insertion but most are surprised how
easily the fine sterile disposable needles are inserted and that
the process is generally painless.
Patients are so comfortable during treatment that most fall asleep.
How many treatments are necessary?
The number of treatments very from patient to patient and depends on the symptoms, the severity, and the duration of the condition.
Some conditions, like sudden flu symptoms or simple muscle sprains can usually be alleviated very quickly while fifteen years of chronic low back pain from osteoarthritis may need regular ongoing treatments.
Other factors include your current state of health, your emotions, as well as compliance with other therapy recommendations.
It is not uncommon for symptoms to fluctuate before disappearing, but overall, symptoms should progressively improve.
The goal is to bring your body’s energy back into balance and then to maintain that balance.
Your treatment options are continually reassessed to insure that the best protocols for your balanced health are being followed.
[ The material contained on this website is specifically meant for educational purposes. This information is not intended to be used by the reader to diagnose, treat or replace the care of an appropriate licensed healthcare practitioner.
