Acupuncture
Easing Pain, Restoring Balance, Promoting Well-Being
Acupuncture is the ancient practice of inserting fine needles at specific points for the purpose restoring energetic balance to mind, body and spirit. Through this process, the individual regains the ability to heal from within. The primary focus of treatment is not on illness or symptom management, but rather on creating and maintaining health.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the oldest continuously practiced medical system in the world and is used by one third of the world's population as a primary health care system. It is likely that more people have been treated by Chinese medicine throughout history than by any other formalized system of medicine. Because of its relatively low cost and its noninvasive nature, acupuncture has become a highly popular form of complementary health care in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed acupuncture treatment for over 40 conditions, including stress, digestive disorders, depression, allergies, sleeping disorders, addictions, headaches and menstrual disorders.
This highly effective system of medical care is based on natural laws which govern the movement of vital life giving energy, both in nature and in the body. This energy, called "chi", moves through the body in precise channels supporting functions of the body, mind and spirit. When "chi" is moving disharmoniously, imbalance begins to surface in the form of specific symptoms. To address the underlying cause of a condition, these symptoms are viewed in relationship to the totality of a person. The gentle insertion of hair thin needles at specific points along the channels of chi energy, help restore harmony. In the presence of this subtle yet profound intervention, symptoms often resolve and patients frequently experience renewed vitality.
Acupuncture involves the gentle insertion of very fine needles at specific points on the body. This process stimulates movement of energy within the body, allowing natural healing to take place.
Acupuncture helps to prevent illness by improving the overall functioning of the body's immune and organ systems. Acupuncture is helpful for:
- Treating existing illnesses and injuries.
- Preventing both recurrence of illnesses and new illness.
- Improving overall health.
How does Acupuncture work?
Signs of free-flowing qi include:
- Sense of well-being
- Refreshed sleep
- Clarity of mind
- Calmness
- Adaptability
- Sense of humor
- Love of life
The World Health Organization recognizes the ability of acupuncture and traditional Oriental medicine to treat over 43 common disorders including:
- Gastrointestinal Disorders, such as food allergies, peptic ulcer, chronic diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastrointestinal weakness, anorexia and gastritis
- Uro-genital Disorders, including stress incontinence, urinary tract infections, and sexual dysfunction
- Respiratory Disorders, such as emphysema, sinusitis, asthma, allergies and bronchitis
- Disorders of the Bones, Muscles, Joints and Nervous System, such as arthritis, migraine headaches, neuralgia, insomnia, dizziness and low back, neck and shoulder pain
- Circulatory Disorders, such as hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis and anemia
- Emotional and Psychological Disorders, including depression, and anxiety
- Addictions, such as alcohol, nicotine and drugs
- Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders
- Women's Health such as Painful periods, PMS, hot flashes and night sweats are evidence of imbalance that may be easily corrected using acupuncture. Morning sickness, fatigue, backache, and other discomforts associated with pregnancy may also be treated easily and quickly, in most cases.
- Acupuncture may be used to regulate and strengthen the immune system. This balancing effect may be beneficial in treating allergies, arthritis, and autoimmune conditions.
- Acupuncture may accelerate recovery when used before and after surgery. It may strengthen the body and uplift the spirit during cancer therapy.
- Mental - Emotional conditions such as Insomnia, depression, anxiety, stress and anger are becoming increasingly common. Acupuncture alone may successfully treat mild emotional imbalances. In more severe cases, it may compliment other therapies with the goal of decreasing the need for medications.
- Musculoskeletal conditions - Acute sprains and strains may be treated quickly and successfully using acupuncture. The swelling and pain of a recent sprain may be reduced by as much as 80% after one treatment.
- Whiplash may be resolved in an average of seven treatments, with significant relief after only one.
- Chronic low back pain, neck pain, herniated discs and shoulder pain are other conditions that respond well. Regular visits decrease recurrences of injury.
*Note: Acupuncture is often effective therapy for other chronic and painful debilitating disorders which have no clear explanation or origin.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory Vital Energy, called Qi, which flows through defined pathways, or meridians, animates the body. Pain occurs in areas in which the Qi is deficient or obstructed. Illness may invade when the Qi is too weak to fight it off. By inserting needles at specific points along the meridians, the body's energy is strengthened and blockages removed. When the Qi is flowing smoothly through the channels, the body is in a state of health, and the mind and spirit are at peace.
Modern Science and Acupuncture Theory
To the human body, acupuncture needles are a physical stimulus. In modern science, a stimulus is defined as a detectable change in either the external environment or within the body itself. When the body detects change, it produces a response. Although acupuncture is not yet fully understood by science, with modern technology scientists may now actually begin to "see" the body's response to acupuncture. For example, using a new technology called functional MRI, researchers from Logan University (the doctor’s alma mater) and Harvard University, our professors and other researchers have shown that when a needle is inserted at specific acupuncture points on the body, corresponding changes occur in the brain.
In Western countries, acupuncture is most well known for its ability to relieve pain so the majority of research thus far has been done in this area. Acupuncture points are now believed to stimulate the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to release pain-relieving chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord and brain. Acupuncture may also stimulate other chemicals to be released by the brain, including hormones that influence the self-regulating system of the body.
The Acupuncture Treatment Experience
The first appointment is typically a 15-30 minute consultation. During this visit we will speak at length about your health concerns and address any questions you may have about acupuncture and the healing process. We will also discuss your health and personal histories in detail, followed by a physical examination. The primary objective of the first appointment is to assess the underlying conditions that have led to your current concerns.
Following the initial consultation, and depending on your condition you may be seen in once to three sessions per week. During this time, significant signs of progress will likely appear. As patients experience improvement in their condition and enjoy a greater sense of ease in life, treatments may be extended to every other week, every three weeks, monthly and eventually seasonally.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Only sterile, disposable needles are used so there is no risk of infection. We use a needle once, and then dispose of it. Acupuncture needles are small and hair-thin. They are solid, not hollow like needles used by doctors. The end of an acupuncture needle is smooth and rounded. Acupuncture needles are so thin it's as if they glide through the spaces between the individual cells of the body.
People experience needling differently. Some points are more sensitive than others. By and large patients describe the sensations as fleeting and the treatment experience as deeply relaxing. The sensations that patients experience during acupuncture range from nothing at all to a brief ache or heaviness in the area being needled. Once the needles are inserted, they may be manipulated to obtain a mild sensation. To activate the “Qi” the acupuncturist engages the energy in your body in order to help balance it. Often people describe their sensations as warming, heavy, numb or tingling. We take great care to make my clients very comfortable so that they can relax while the needles are in place. The more you can relax during an acupuncture treatment, the better the results. Many people even fall asleep during treatment.
Following treatment it is common to feel a tremendous sense of relaxation and calm.
No. Acupuncture works whether or not you think it will. Acupuncture is even used successfully on animals and children. They do not understand or believe in the process yet they get better anyway. A positive attitude helps with any type of therapy but it is not necessary to believe in acupuncture (or to feel it working) for it to work.
Since positive expectations and belief in acupuncture help to increase therapeutic results, we encourage you to raise any concerns or doubts you may have about acupuncture and East Asian Medicine. We want to help you to better understand acupuncture and East Asian Medicine so that you may have the most positive healing experience possible. You are invited to contact me today, and I will personally respond to any questions or comments promptly.
In general, we tell our patients they should start to feel the benefits from acupuncture in several treatments. If the problem is acute, sometimes improvement is felt after 1 treatment, and may only need 5-10 treatments to resolve. If the problem is chronic and long term, it may take a many treatments to help resolve.
Typically I treat patients once to twice a week. If the condition is acute and painful, I may want to do treatments 3-5 times per week for the first couple of weeks. The benefits of acupuncture treatments tend to hold longer as you receive treatments, so what typically happens is that my patients start to need to see me less and less, so after a while they only come only periodically for maintenance.
No, but it usually does. If you do not feel any benefit after several treatments, then we must explore other avenues to heal.
Just wear loose fitting clothes that can be easily rolled up above your elbows, knees and back.
Yes. Sterile disposable needles are used. They are used once and then disposed of immediately.
There are many styles of acupuncture. The primary distinction exists within the diagnostic process and the corresponding treatment planning process. We primarily use the Five Element style, but incorporate various techniques of acupuncture to give the best possible treatment for the patients individual needs.
Absolutely not. Many patients come for regular treatments to achieve increased effectiveness and enjoyment in life. Acupuncture may also be a powerful preventative measure to keep patients healthy throughout the year.
The frequency of treatments varies with each individual. Please feel free to call me to discuss your concern and a possible plan of treatment
Contact me at the telephone number displayed on our website. We will discuss your concerns and schedule an initial visit. During your first visit we will explore a treatment schedule that will best meet your needs.
Avoid caffeine in coffee, tea, or sodas during the day of treatment. Avoid intense physical activity or sexual activity before or after your scheduled treatment.
We use certain prepared herbs and supplements. If we feel that specific herbal medicine would be beneficial to your treatment, we will refer you to an herbal practitioner with whom we can coordinate your care. Also let us know if you are taking any western medication in additional.
East Asian herbal formulas tend to be much gentler than western medicines, and work to not only help relieve symptoms, but to help return the body to balance and equilibrium, so that herbs will not be needed further. That is why we often modify the herbs as treatment continues, since the body starts to shift towards being healthier, and therefore the herbs are modified to meet the changing needs of the body.
It depends on the medications you are taking. This would have to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Insurance:
A growing number of insurance companies will reimburse for acupuncture treatments, yet the percentage of plans that do have coverage, in our experience, is currently less than 25%. Medicare nor Medicaid/Public Aid / Dept. Health and Family Services do NOT cover acupuncture by policy. Consult your insurer for the terms of coverage on your policy. However, full payment is due at the time of each treatment. A receipt will be given after each treatment for patients to submit for insurance reimbursement.
Payment methods:
We accept checks, cash, Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Discover for payment. We also have payment plans available.
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