Wholistic Acupuncture About Acupuncture

Q. What is acupuncture?
A. Acupuncture is one component of Oriental Medicine or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM is a comprehensive medical system that has diagnosed, treated, and prevented illness for over 5,000 years. Not only can TCM alleviate ailments, balance the mind and body, and alter emotional states, but it can also augment restorative power,immunity, and the capacity for pleasure,work, and creativity for optimum health and disease prevention.

Q. How does acupuncture work?
A. In most Western cultures acupuncture is considered a new and alternative medicine. In reality acupuncture is a medical treatment that has been in practice for over 5,000 years. It is the oldest, continually practiced medicine in the world, and currently 1/4 of the worlds population makes use of it.

The first record of acupuncture is found in the 2,500 year old Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine). It is said to be the oldest medical textbook in the world, reportedly written from even earlier theories by Shen Nung, the father of Chinese Medicine. Shen Nung documented theories about circulation, pulse, and the heart over 4,000 years before European medicine.

As the basis of acupuncture, Shen Nung theorized that the body has an energy force running through it. This energy force is known as Qi (pronounced chee). Qi consists of all vital life activities: the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical.

Qi is comprised of two aspects, Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are opposite forces that when balanced, work together. Any disturbance in this balance results in natural calamities in the environment and diseases in humans. Nothing is completely Yin or completely Yang. A person's health is influenced by the flow of Qi in the body in combination with the universal forces of Yin and Yang. If the flow of Qi is inadequate, unstable, or interrupted, Yin and Yang become unbalanced and illness may occur.

Qi travels throughout the body along meridians or pathways. There are twelve main organ related meridians that run along the surface of both sides of the body and two extra meridians that run along the center of the body, back and front. Acupuncture points are specific locations on the meridians and are easily influenced by needling and acupressure. These points are needled to influence the flow of Qi, bringing balance to the Yin and Yang of the body. One can sometimes feel the Qi when these points are needled.

Q. How will my condition be diagnosed?
A. Practitioners assess a person's health by feeling nine pulsations at each wrist and by observing the color and form of the face, tongue, and body. This information is interpreted in the context of a patient's present and past health conditions, work and living habits, diet, physical environment, family and personal health history, and emotional life.

Q. What about the needles?
A. Practitioners today use disposable, sterilized, stainless steel needles. They are used once and discarded in accordance with medical biohazard regulations and guidelines. The needles vary in length, width of shaft, and shape of head.

Q. How does it feel?
A. Insertion of the slender hair-like needles goes unnoticed by some. To others it feels like a small pinch followed by a sensation of tingling, numbness, ache, deep traveling warmth, or heaviness. Sometimes people feel Qi moving at a distance from the point of insertion. Needles remain in place for twenty to forty minutes. Usually, relaxation and elevation of mood accompany treatment. It is normal to want to continue resting as it is to be completely energized. Some notice a relief of symptoms or feel more energetic in the days that follow treatment. Many people are pleased to find the treatments very comfortable and even look forward to future sessions. If you have any sensations or effects you do not understand, please communicate this to your practitioner.

Q. Does acupuncture only involve needles?
A. While acupuncture treatments mainly consist of needling, there are a few related procedures that may fall into the range of an acupuncture treatment. The first, moxibustion, is the treatment of diseases by applying heat to acupuncture points. Moxa comes from the fuzz of the leaves of the mugwort plant. Moxibustion has a warming function which treats cold conditions and poor circulation. Acupuncture and moxibustion are considered complimentary forms of treatment and are commonly used together.

Cupping is another type of treatment. This is a method of stimulation obtained by applying suction through a glass jar. This technique produces blood congestion at the site. Discoloration of the skin may result, which indicates the severity of the blockage. Cupping is mainly used for promoting blood circulation and to remove blood stasis which can cause pain.

Auriculotherapy or ear acupuncture is a commonly used treatment in the United States. Additionally, nutrition, exercise such as Tai Chi or Qigong, Chinese bodywork (tuina), feng shui and lifestyle counseling are all ancient aspects of TCM.

Q. Is there anything I need to do during a treatment?
A. Relax. Ask your practitioner any questions you have along the way so that you can get as much benefit as possible from your treatment. Do not change your position or move suddenly. If you are uncomfortable, tell your practitioner.

Some people may experience dizziness or nausea during treatment. This may occur if you are nervous or have not eaten. Inform your practitioner immediately so he or she can readjust or withdraw the needles. Also let your practitioner know if you feel an increasing amount of pain or a burning sensation during the treatment.

Q. What can I expect after a treatment?
A.Patients often experience the most dramatic results in the first three to five treatments. Some patients experience an immediate total or partial relief of their symptoms. This relief may last or symptoms may return in a few days. Some cases might not experience immediate relief, but will notice the symptoms diminishing over the next couple of days. Generally, you should expect to feel better. Often the effects are cumulative. The more treatments one has the longer the positive effect will be sustained.

Q. How often do I need an acupuncture treatment?
A. This depends on the history and severity of your complaint, as well as your body's constitution, age, and sex. Patients with acute situations may get treatments one to three times a week. Patients with chronic problems may get a treatment once a week to once a month. Others may receive an acupuncture treatment at season changes for health preservation.

Q. What about herbal remedies?
A. Herbs are a variety of naturally found products that add to the healthful benefits of acupuncture and other traditional Chinese treatments. Chinese herbal medicine treats the full range of human disease including acute illnesses like flu and the common cold, chronic diseases such as allergies, gynecological disorders, autoimmune diseases, chronic viral disease, and degenerative diseases due to aging. Herbs are wonderful as a maintenance or prevention plan, helping to create balance and health before disease has set in. Patients may choose to be treated solely with the use of herbs or to be treated without using herbs.

Q. Can I take herbs with my medications?
A. Depends on your medications. Researchers, especially in China, are constantly studying the effects of Chinese herbs with Western medications. In general, all blood thinning drugs such as Coumadin are strictly contraindicated. Your acupuncturist can help you with your specific situation.

Q. What can Chinese Medicine treat?
A. Since acupuncture promotes the body's natural healing ability, most conditions can be corrected or improved. Oriental medicine is a comprehensive system of preventive healthcare and health maintenance. The most popular place to start for treatable disorders is the World Health Organization's list of diseases that lend themselves to treatment by acupuncture.

Neurological Disorders:

Headache and migraine
Trigeminal neuralgia
Facial palsy (early stage, within three to six months)
Stroke recovery
Peripheral neuropathy
Vertigo and dizziness
Disc problems
Post-Operative recovery
TMJ

Musculo-skeletal Disorders:

Muscle pain, swelling, stiffness and weakness
Localized traumatic injuries

Sprains, strains, tendonitis, contractures
Rheumatoid and Osteo-arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Low back pain
Frozen shoulder
Tennis elbow
Sciatica

Digestive Disorders:

Diarrhea
Constipation
Abdominal pain

IBS & Crohn's

Ulcers
Indigestion
Nausea resulting from chemotherapy and pregnancy

Gynecological:

Menstrual disorders
Infertility
Menopause
Morning Sickness
Breech Presentation
Labor Induction

Emotional:

Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
Neurosis
Panic Disorders

Other:

Stress
Addictions
Weight control
Chronic fatigue
Immune disorders
Acne/skin disorders
Incontinence
Hypertension
Vision disorders
Tinnitus
Dental pain