What Is Acupuncture?

 

History 

Although relatively new to the Western world, acupuncture originated in China over 3,000 years ago.  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 Asia, collectively called Oriental Medicine.  Acupuncture is not only the oldest medical system in the world but it is the most commonly used.  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. 

 

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 China.  Every year acupuncture is gaining in popularity.  Americans make over 9 million visits yearly to acupuncturists for ailments as diverse as arthritis, bladder infections, back pain, and morning sickness.

 

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 US and the number of needles used, relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported to the FDA.  Acupuncturists are trained in exact location, angle, as well as depth of insertion of acupuncture needles to avoid injuries.  One of the great advantages of acupuncture is the absence of side effects & that it can be utilized while taking pharmaceuticals or undergoing western medical treatments. 

 

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.  Most patients find the

treatments very relaxing.  Some patients may 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.