WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is a 5000 year old Chinese system of natural healing (No drugs, No surgery), which is concerned with restoring proper energy flow to the various organs, glands and tissues of the body on the premise that most diseases are the result of malfunction due to disrupted energies. This energy is called Chi in Chinese. Early Chinese physicians discovered there is an energy network traversing just below the surface of the skin which communicates from the exterior to the internal organs and structures at over 360 “Acupoints” on the body. This energy works in harmony with the body’s circulatory, nervous, muscular, digestive, genitourinary and all other systems of the body. When this vital energy becomes blocked or weakened, an effect in a body system or anatomic location becomes evident. Stimulation of one or a combination of key “Acupoints” on the body may restore harmony to the affected area, thus allowing your body to heal naturally and more quickly.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
The human body’s energy flow courses over twelve meridians or channels that are normally well balanced. If a disruption of energy flow exists, it can alter the entire system, producing pain or symptoms in the body. If we were to compare a 175 pound man on one end of a seesaw and a 45 pound child on the other end, it becomes obvious the seesaw would be “broken” due to the fact the heavier person would be sitting on the ground and the lighter child would be dangling in the air. Even though the seesaw is producing a symptom of being broken, extensive examination would not reveal anything wrong with the seesaw. The obvious answer is in the balance. Correction of the balance corrects the problem. Acupuncture’s goal is to restore normalcy to the body’s energy balance by utilizing a combination of Acupoints located on the twelve meridians. This is accomplished by a variety of means, the needle being only one.
FAQ ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE
Q: Is acupuncture painful?
A: Most of us think of hypodermic needles when we think of acupuncture. Hypodermic needles are 4 times thicker than a typical acupuncture needle. This is because hypodermic needles are hollow and are used to inject or retract fluid. Acupuncture needles are solid filament, made of sterilized stainless steel, and are discarded after one use. The thinner the needle, the less you will feel. Some body parts, like hands and feet, are more sensitive than other parts like the back. Generally speaking, acupuncture needles are barely felt at all.
Q: How many treatments are usual?
A: Obviously the number of treatments vary with different conditions and individuals. Chronic problems generally require more treatment than acute ones. Some patients notice an immediate improvement after the first treatment, whereas others may not see improvement until several treatments. It’s been shown that a certain percentage of patients receive maximum benefit up to three months following a course of therapy. Researchers agree the usual number of treatments is between eight and sixteen. The usual frequency is between two and four times a week. Patients are urged not to enter an Acupuncture program with the thought of “taking a few” to see what will happen. Even though it is possible to achieve success, a program of ten visits would have a better chance for success. Patients are encouraged to be patient with the healing process. If the treatments are recommended and results occur in just five visits, the doctor may elect to discontinue treatments or continue their use to stabilize the condition.
Q: What conditions can acupuncture help with?
A: Textbook listed conditions run into the hundreds. Typical ailments that respond to acupuncture include: neuralgias, headaches, muscle spasms, joint pain, etc. Please be mindful of the fact that acupuncture is not like one drug used for one condition, but on the contrary, it is a complete healing art within itself, concerned with the systems of the body such as nervous, circulatory, digestive, reproductive, and musculoskeletal, etc. and seeks to correct health problems within those systems.