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What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a 3,000 year old Chinese
technique involving the insertion of fine needles just under the skin in
specific locations to treat a wide variety of complaints. The World Health Organization says
acupuncture can be beneficial in many conditions ranging from
neurological and gastrointestinal to mental and emotions. The point location is based on the
concept of Qi (pronounced ‘Chee’) or life force that flows
throughout the body via meridians or pathways. When we are in a state of perfect
health, this Qi flows easily throughout our body. When we are sick or are in pain,
the flow of Qi becomes disturbed which can manifest in many different
symptoms. The insertion of needles
in the specific points along these meridians alters the energy flow ~
dispersing and regulating the flow of Qi in the meridians. The meridians are like
rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. A simplified ‘Western’
explanation of acupuncture is that needling the acupuncture points
stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal
cord and brain. These
chemicals will either change the experience of pain or they will trigger
the release of enkephalins and endorphins (natural pain killers in the
body). The improved energy
and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating
the body’s natural healing abilities, and in promoting physical and
emotional well-being.
Your first Treatment
In Chinese Medicine, the whole body is
considered when looking for a diagnosis and treatment.
Your initial visit will take about 90
minutes. It will include a
complete medical history intake followed by a treatment. The medical history intake will
include questions about your past and present health history, followed by
a more detailed look at specific areas related to your case. I will also look at your tongue
and feeling your pulse. The
tongues appearance and it’s coating are significant diagnostic
markers that echo health issues and the quality of the pulses reflect the
state of the body’s overall energy and health.
All of the information gathered during the
consultation will help to create a personalized healthcare program for
you. Once it has been determined where the imbalances are in your system,
acupuncture points will be selected that will help reestablish your
internal balance. The acupuncture points work together and when needled
send a clear message to the body to initiate the healing response and
create balance and harmony.
What should I wear for the
treatment?
Please wear loose fitting clothes that can be
easily rolled up above your elbows and knees.
What will I experience
during treatment?
The actual treatment consists of the insertion
of thin, sterile needles into acupuncture points along the meridian
pathways on the front and the back of the body. The needle insertion is
often painless, producing a warm, tingling or heavy sensation. The needles
are left in the body from 10-30 minutes, during which time most people
feel a great sense of relaxation.
How often should I schedule
treatment?
The length of course of treatment depends on
type of complaint, your general health and lifestyle. Treatments may be scheduled as
often as several times per week, or as infrequently as once per month.
Chronic conditions may require longer-term treatment, while acute
conditions may be resolved in just a few sessions. Each treatment builds
on the previous session and over time a more balanced body gradually
becomes the normal state. Clients who have reached a desirable level of
health may choose to have acupuncture “tune-ups,” during
times of stress, before allergy season, during the holidays, or before a
season’s change to help the body maintain balance during times of
higher stress.
What can Acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture has been recognized in the West
for the treatment of chronic pain and pre-operative analgesia. However,
some are still are not aware that Acupuncture is an effective treatment
for many conditions. In 1997, the National Institute of Health (NIH)
published a Consensus Statement on what Acupuncture could successfully
treat. This statement can be viewed at
http://consensus.nih.gov/1997/1997Acupuncture107html.htm.
Recently, the NIH has granted millions of
dollars with the express purpose to study the effects of Acupuncture and
other complementary modalities for the many challenging health concerns
we face today.
In addition, the World Health Organization
(WHO) published an article that expanded the list of treatable conditions
described by the NIH, titled “Acupuncture: Review & Analysis of
Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials.” This article was peered
reviewed by John Amaro, D.C., FIAMA, Dipl.Ac., L.AC. and the findings
were published in Acupuncture Today, (2004) available at
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/archives2004/oct/10amaro.html.
Below is an abbreviated list of the many
conditions for which the World Health Organization considers Acupuncture
appropriate treatment:
Respiratory/Ear, Nose,
Throat: colds & flu, asthma, bronchitis,
sinus infections, allergies, earaches.
Musculo-Skeletal/Neurological: back/neck pain,
arthritis, sciatica, bursitis/tendonitis, neuralgia, Bell's/Cerebral Palsy,
headache, dizziness, stroke, sprains/strains.
Dermatological: acne, herpes, eczema
Genito-Urinary/Reproductive: impotence, infertility,
PMS, PID, Vaginitis, irregular menstruation, cramps, uterine bleeding,
menopausal syndrome, morning sickness, difficult labor, urinary
difficulties.
Internal: hypo/hyperglycemia,
hypertension, ulcers, irritable bowels/Colitis, hemorrhoids, diabetes,
epigastic pain, abdominal masses.
Mental/Emotional: anxiety, stress,
depression, insomnia, palpitations.
What are the needles like?
Only sterile, disposable needles are used so
there is no risk of infection. We use a needle once, 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 not
designed to cut the skin. Instead, when an acupuncture needle is
inserted, the round edge pushes the tissue aside without cutting it.
Acupuncture needles are so thin it's as if they can glide through the
spaces between the individual cells of the body.
US FDA Regulation of
Acupuncture Needles
In 1996, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) removed the experimental status tag on acupuncture needles.The FDA
reclassified acupuncture needles, regulating them as it does medical
devices such as surgical scalpels and hypodermic syringes. Acupuncture
needles must now be manufactured according to single-use standards of
sterility.
Does it hurt?
People experience needling differently. There
are different styles of needling. I needle in Japanese style which says
to gently insert the needle under the skin, and the qi will rise to the
needle. Acupuncture needles I insert are rarely described as painful, and
can be quickly adjusted if the patients does feel discomfort. If any
sensation is experienced during insertion, it is often compared to a
mosquito bite and disappears very quickly. Once the needles are inserted,
they may be manipulated to obtain a mild "Qi" sensation. This
is how an acupuncturist engages the energy in your body in order to help
balance it. Often people describe their sensations as warming, heavy,
numb or tingling. I 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.
What is that herbal smell in
the clinic?
The herbal odor you may smell in our clinic, is called Moxa. It is made
from an herb called Artemesia Vulgaris or “Mugwort.” It is a
transfer medium used to warm the needles stimulating the circulation of
qi. The warm sensation created by burning the herb creates a soothing and
relaxing addition to treatment. For those who are chemically sensitive,
who suffer from respiratory aliments or who do not enjoy the smell of the
herb, can choose to have a heat lamp used in its place.
How quickly can I expect to
feel better?
In general, I tell my patients they should
start to feel the benefits from acupuncture in 2-3 treatments. If the
problem is acute, sometimes improvement is felt after 1 treatment, and
may only need 3-5 treatments to resolve. If the problem is chronic and
long term, it may take a many treatments to help resolve.
How often should I be
treated?
Typically I treat patients once a week. If the
condition is acute and painful, I may want to do treatments 2-3 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.
Does acupuncture always
help?
No, but it usually does. If you do not feel
any benefit after 3-5 treatments, then acupuncture may not work for you.
Does insurance cover
acupuncture?
Some insurance does. Check with your insurance
plan. I do not bill the insurance but will give you a receipt you can
submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Also, you may be able
to utilize your flex-spending account, so check your benefits carefully!
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