Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting and manipulating fine needles into specific points on the body. Most of these points are found on specific channels or meridians that circulate through the body with Qi. Qi is thought to be the “vital force” or “energy” that is essential to life. Qi flows throughout the body and is balanced when there is health. When there is pain, illness or a medical problem, Qi may be blocked, weakened or is flowing the wrong direction. Acupuncture helps with regulating, strengthening and balancing the Qi in the body.

WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may treat:

  • Digestive complaints including abdominal pain, distention, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux and indigestion
  • Immune function problems including frequent colds/flus, allergies, asthma
  • Psycho/emotional disorders including anxiety, panic attacks, depression, lack of focus/concentration
  • Gynecological disorders and complaints including PMS, irregular menstruation, and infertility
  • Acute/chronic pain
  • Joint/Muscle pain and disorders
  • Paralyis/paresthesias (skin sensation of burning, prickling, itching or tingling)
  • Enhances healing from trauma/surgery
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Low Energy
  • Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Detoxification
  • Chronic weakness and pain from serious illness, such as cancer and may help relieve side effects of medication (Acupuncture cancer information)

Acupuncture needles are much finer than hypodermic needles which are used to give shots or to draw blood. They may be as fine strand of hair and are also solid, so they do not inject anything into the body. Only single use, factory sterilized needles are used. During as acupuncture treatment, most patients feel minimal discomfort and feel very relaxed. Some patients experience heaviness, tingling or warmth around the insertion site which may continue to be present for a short period after the treatment is completed, however most patients also leave the treatment feeling lighter and clearer. There are also other treatment modalities that may accompany acupuncture. They are as follows:

  • Electrical stimulation: attaching electrodes to needles to send micro/milli currant through to the points for pain reduction, reducing muscle spasming, and stimulating depleted areas
  • Auricular therapy: needling the micro system of the ear to treat systemic problems and may be very helpful with psycho-emotional problems
  • Heat therapy: TDP heat lamp and moxa essence spray
  • Gua sha: scraping or rubbing until the skin turns red to treat pain, colds and fevers
  • Fire cupping: glass cups warmed up and suctioned with a flame then quickly administered to indicated areas of the body to strengthen the body and to reduce pain
  • Tui na: Chinese medical massage including acupressure
  • Chinese herbal medicine consultations and prescriptions

All of the treatment modalities above are administered with the goal and intention of bringing the body back into balance. In Chinese medicine, any imbalance in the body may result in many different complaints, ranging from minor aches and pains to severe, debilitating illnesses.