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What is acupuncture? |
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Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world. Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture began to become better known in the United States in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his pain after surgery.
The term acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. American practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from Korea, China, Japan , and other countries. The acupuncture technique that has been most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation. |
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What does acupuncture feel like? |
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Acupuncture needles are metallic, solid, and hair-thin. People experience acupuncture differently, but most feel no or minimal pain as the needles are inserted. Some people are energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed. |
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How does acupuncture work? |
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Acupuncture is one of the key components of the system of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In the TCM system of medicine, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Yin represents the cold, slow, or passive principle, while yang represents the hot, excited, or active principle. Among the major assumptions in TCM are that health is achieved by maintaining the body in a "balanced state" and that disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. It is believed that there are 12 main meridians and 8 extraordinary meridians and that there are more than 1,000 acupuncture points on the human body that connect with them.
Acupuncture adjusts the flow of qi in the body, leading it to areas where it is insufficient and draining it from areas where it is stuck and/or superabundant. In this way, acupuncture restores the harmonious balance of the body and its parts.
“If there is pain, there is no free flow; if there is free flow, there is no pain. " |
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Is acupuncture safe? |
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When performed by a competently trained, licensed professional, acupuncture is extremely safe. All licensed acupuncturists today use individually packed, sterile, disposable needles. So there is virtually no chance of infection or contagion. |
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How many treatments will I need? |
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That depends on the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. You may need only a single treatment for an acute condition. A series of 5-10 treatment may resolve many chronic problems. Some degenerative conditions may require many treatments over time. To help reduce the number of treatments, your practitioner may suggest dietary modifications, specific exercises regimes, relaxation techniques, self-massage, and/or Chinese herbal medicine, all of which may help to increase the efficacy of acupuncture. |
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Is there anything I need to do before receiving an acupuncture treatment? |
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Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry, full, emotionally upset, or shortly after sex. |
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Is there anything I need to do while receiving acupuncture? |
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Relax. There is no need to be frightened. Ask your practitioner any questions you have along the way so that you can get the most benefit possible from the treatment.
Do not change your position or move suddenly. If you are uncomfortable, tell your practitioner . |
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What can I expect after the treatment? |
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Patients often experience dramatic results in the first treatment. Some patients experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms. This relief may last or some pain may return. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to notice the pain diminish over the next couple of days. |
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What are the conditions treated by acupuncture? |
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| 1. |
Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders
Toothaches, Earaches, Sinusitis, Rhinitis, Laryngitis, Jaw and Face Pain
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Respiratory Disorders
Colds & Flu, Bronchitis, Asthma, Allergies, Emphysema
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Gastrointestinal Disorders
Food allergies, Nausea, Indigestion, Diarrhea, Constipation,Ulcers, Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Circulatory Disorders
Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Arteriosclerosis, Angina Pectoris
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Urogenital Disorders
Cystitis, Stress Incontinence, Neurogenic Bladder, Prostatitis, Prostatic Hypertrophy
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Gynecological Disorders
Menstrual Irregularity, Endometriosis, PMS, Infertility, Menopausal Syndrome
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Musculoskeletal Disorders
Tennis Elbow, Frozen Shoulder, TMJ, Sciatica, Lower Back Pain, Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Neck or Cervical Pain, Hip pain, Sports Injuries, Motor Vehicle Injuries
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| 8. |
Psycho Emotional & Neurological Disorders
Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, Headache, Migraine, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Intercostals Neuralgia, Post-Stroke Paralysis, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Stress Related Disorders
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Addiction
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Obesity and Weight Control
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| 11. |
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
In addition, acupuncture has been used for centuries throughout Asia to treat hundreds of other problems. |
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