Why Acupuncture?

It is often assumed that acupuncture is simply a pain control technique for headaches and back pain.  So many people have asked me if acupuncture works by interrupting the nerve pathway that sends pain messages to the brain.  Those people are usually very surprised to hear that studies have shown acupuncture to be excellent for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, fibromyalgia, neurological problems (stroke, Bell's palsy), allergies, asthma, incontinence, depression and even correcting a breached baby's positioning.  And this is not a complete list.  How is this possible if acupuncture is a pain control technique?  As part of Oriental Medicine, it is actually a comprehensive system of health care with over 3,000 years of clinical history.










This system is designed to treat any malady.  Of course, it is not always the first choice method for treating an ailment.  It depends on what the problem is.  But for many conditions acupuncture is the preferred course of treatment, sometimes in conjunction with other therapies.  If you seek the advice of an acupuncturist, she/he will conduct an initial evaluation to determine if acupuncture is appropriate for you.

The beauty of acupuncture and other branches of Oriental Medicine is that is works to balance the energy of the entire body.  The body has many pathways of energy that flow up and down the arms, legs and torso.  These are called meridians.  When an imbalance occurs in one or more of these systems, various symptoms that may seem unrelated can develop.  An acupuncturist's interview will involve a detailed examination of the patient's symptoms and bodily functions.  This assists the acupuncturist in determining where the imbalances exist in the body's energetic system.  For instance, if a patient comes in with weak and painful knees and we find that she also experiences slight incontinence or a cough or sneeze, some lower back pain, and cold feet, this gives the acupuncturist a very clear signal of which meridian is disturbed.  Another grouping of symptoms would indicate a different disturbance.

By balancing the body with acupuncture and sometimes Chinese herbs the patient often experiences the wonderful side effects of Oriental Medicine.  Most of us have experienced some side effect from pharmaceutical drugs.  For example:  jitters, sleepiness, dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, palpitations, etc.  The list is endless.  However, with acupuncture the patient usually finds beneficial 'side effects."  Patients often report that they are sleeping better, experiencing less heartburn, able to take deeper breaths, don't feel as cold or as hot as they used to, better relationships, feeling more direction or grounding, fewer trips to the bathroom at night, etc.  Again, an endless list of possibilities.  This is because acupuncture works on principles of balancing the energy of the entire body.

How Does It Work?

Oriental medicine is based on an energetic model rather than the bio-chemical model of Western medicine.

The ancient Chinese recognized a vital energy behind all life forms and life processes.  They called this energy Qi (pronounced chee).  In developing an understanding of the prevention and cure of disease, these healing practitioners discovered that this energy flows along specific pathways called 'meridians'.  Each pathway is associated with a particular physiological system and internal organ.  Disease is considered to arise due to a deficiency or imbalance of energy in the meridians and their associated physiological systems.

Acupuncture points are specific locations along the meridians.  Each point has a predictable effect upon the vital energy passing through it. Modern science has been able to measure the electrical charge at these points, thus corroborating the locations of the meridians mapped by the ancients.

Traditional Oriental medicine uses an intricate system of pulse and tongue diagnosis, palpation of points and meridians, medical history and other signs and symptoms to create a composite Oriental medical diagnosis.  A treatment plan is then formulated to induce the body to a balanced state of health.

What Can I Expect?

Many conditions may be alleviated very rapidly by acupuncture and Oriental medicine.  However, some conditions that have arisen over a course of years will be relieved only with slow, steady progress.

As in any form of healing, the patient's attitude, diet, determination and lifestyle will affect the outcome of a course of treatment.  Patients are encouraged to actively participate in their healing process.

Although Oriental medicine can treat most conditions, there are circumstances that can be dealt with more effectively by Western medicine.  IN such cases, your acupuncturist will recommend you contact a Western medical doctor.  Acupuncture and Oriental medicine should be seen as complementary to Western medicine.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

In the hands of a comprehensively trained acupuncturist, your safety is assured.

Acupuncture needles are sterile and are either disposable or autoclaved between treatments.  If you have a preference, you should discuss the type of needles to be used with your practitioner.

Is Acupuncture Painful?

Acupuncture bears no resemblance to the feeling of receiving an injection, since the main source of pain from injections is the larger diameter, hollow needle and the medication being forced into the tissue by pressure.  Acupuncture needles are very fine and flexible, about the diameter of a human hair.  In most cases, insertion by a skilled practitioner is performed without discomfort.

You may experience a sense of heaviness or electricity in the area of insertion.  Most patients find the treatments very relaxing and many fall asleep during treatment.  In some cases, your practitioner may also recommend herbs or dietary, exercise or lifestyle changes.
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