What Is Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a healing modality that has been developed over a period of 2,000 years and is based on ancient Chinese medical texts, clinical observation, as well as modern empirical research. In the practice of acupuncture, very fine needles are inserted into the skin at strategic points on the body in order to treat imbalances, pain, or illness. The acupuncture needles are slightly bigger than the width of a human hair, stainless steel, and sterile. They are used once and then, discarded.

How Does It Work

The basis of acupuncture is an energy force known as Qi (pronounced “chee”). A person’s health is influenced by the flow of this vital energy, or Qi, in the body. Qi travels throughout the body along pathways called channels. The acupuncture points are specific locations where the channels are accessible and where Qi is easily directed by the placement of needles. If the flow of Qi is insufficient, or there is a blockage, or an imbalance in the body, pain and illness may occur. Acupuncture is used to maintain the free flow of Qi, correct imbalances in the body and restore mental and physical wellbeing. Treatment in acupuncture is centered on the individual rather than the disease.

There have been several projected scientific explanations for acupunctures’ positive effect on health and pain management. Research shows that acupuncture causes the body to release endorphins and opiods (the body’s natural painkillers). It is also widely believed that acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system and influences the body’s self-regulating systems. According to the National Institutes of Health, acupuncture may enable electromagnetic signals to be relayed at a greater rate than under normal conditions. This may increase the flow of natural healing or painkilling chemicals to the injured areas.

What Conditions Does It Treat

The World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health have listed several conditions as treatable by acupuncture and Oriental medicine:

Respiratory System:

Acute sinusitis

Acute rhinitis

Common cold

Acute tonsillitis

Acute bronchitis

Bronchial asthma

Disorders of the Eye:

Acute conjunctivitis

Central retinitis

Myopia (in children)

Disorders of the Mouth:

Toothache

Gingivitis

Acute and chronic pharyngitis

Gynological and Reproductive:

Infertility

Pregnancy support/Miscarriage prevention

PMS

Irregular menstruation

Dysmenorrhea

Amennorhea

Premature ejaculation

Erectile dysfunction

Low libido

Uterine fibroids

Emotional:

Stress

Depression

Anxiety

Insomnia

OCD

Skin:

Acne

Herpes

Eczema

Psorasis

Gastro-intestinal disorders:

Nausea

Morining sickness

IBS

Bloating

Gas

Diarrhea

Constipation

Colitis

Gastritis

Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders:

Headache and Migrane

Trigeminal neuralgia

Facial palsy (early stage)

Pareses following a stroke

Peripheral neuropathy

Meniere’s disease

Sciatica

Low back pain

Osteoarthritis

Tendonitis

Sports injury

What To Expect

We will begin by having a conversation about your health concerns and health history. I will ask a series of detailed questions so that I can gain an understanding of your general constitution, body function, and current symptoms. Once I have a clear understanding of your overall health picture, I will be able to craft a treatment plan to fit your specific needs and we will begin to implement it right away. Depending on what acupuncture points are involved in your treatment (and your comfort needs), the treatment will take place with you lying supine, prone, or lateral recumbent on the acupuncture table. The needles are inserted and retained for between 25 and 45 minutes, depending on what the treatment plan prescribes. Our first visit usually lasts 1 ½ to 2 hours (subsequent visits are shorter; between 1 and ¼ hours).

	What Is Acupuncture Acupuncture is a healing modality that has been developed over a period of 2,000 years and is based on ancient Chinese medical texts, clinical observation, as well as modern empirical research. In the practice of acupuncture, very fine needles are inserted into the skin at strategic points on the body in order to treat imbalances, pain, or illness. The acupuncture needles are slightly bigger than the width of a human hair, stainless steel, and sterile. They are used once and then, discarded. How Does It Work The basis of acupuncture is an energy force known as Qi (pronounced “chee”). A person’s health is influenced by the flow of this vital energy, or Qi, in the body. Qi travels throughout the body along pathways called channels. The acupuncture points are specific locations where the channels are accessible and where Qi is easily directed by the placement of needles. If the flow of Qi is insufficient, or there is a blockage, or an imbalance in the body, pain and illness may occur. Acupuncture is used to maintain the free flow of Qi, correct imbalances in the body and restore mental and physical wellbeing. Treatment in acupuncture is centered on the individual rather than the disease. There have been several projected scientific explanations for acupunctures’ positive effect on health and pain management. Research shows that acupuncture causes the body to release endorphins and opiods (the body’s natural painkillers). It is also widely believed that acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system and influences the body’s self-regulating systems. According to the National Institutes of Health, acupuncture may enable electromagnetic signals to be relayed at a greater rate than under normal conditions. This may increase the flow of natural healing or painkilling chemicals to the injured areas. What Conditions Does It Treat The World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health have listed several conditions as treatable by acupuncture and Oriental medicine: Respiratory System: Acute sinusitis Acute rhinitis Common cold Acute tonsillitis Acute bronchitis Bronchial asthma Disorders of the Eye: Acute conjunctivitis Central retinitis Myopia (in children) Disorders of the Mouth: Toothache Gingivitis Acute and chronic pharyngitis Gynological and Reproductive: Infertility Pregnancy support/Miscarriage prevention PMS Irregular menstruation Dysmenorrhea Amennorhea Premature ejaculation Erectile dysfunction Low libido Uterine fibroids Emotional: Stress Depression Anxiety Insomnia OCD Skin: Acne Herpes Eczema Psorasis Gastro-intestinal disorders: Nausea Morining sickness IBS Bloating Gas Diarrhea Constipation Colitis Gastritis Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders: Headache and Migrane Trigeminal neuralgia Facial palsy (early stage) Pareses following a stroke Peripheral neuropathy Meniere’s disease Sciatica Low back pain Osteoarthritis Tendonitis Sports injury What To Expect We will begin by having a conversation about your health concerns and health history. I will ask a series of detailed questions so that I can gain an understanding of your general constitution, body function, and current symptoms. Once I have a clear understanding of your overall health picture, I will be able to craft a treatment plan to fit your specific needs and we will begin to implement it right away. Depending on what acupuncture points are involved in your treatment (and your comfort needs), the treatment will take place with you lying supine, prone, or lateral recumbent on the acupuncture table. The needles are inserted and retained for between 25 and 45 minutes, depending on what the treatment plan prescribes. Our first visit usually lasts 1 ½ to 2 hours (subsequent visits are shorter; between 1 and ¼ hours).