Acupuncture
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been utilized dating back centuries as an ancient Chinese form
of medicine via the insertion of acupuncture needles (very fine needles that
are sterile) at specific points in the body. Acupuncture assists the body to
re-balance the energy that travel thought the body via 12 Meridians that travel
through the body. These 12 meridians are
referred to as the “Principal
Meridians” and the energy that passes through them is referred to as “QI”
or “Chi” (pronounced Chee). In TCM (Traditional
Chinese Medicine), Qi is referred to as the body’s energy life-force with assists in
regulating a healthy body.
Is
Acupuncture always used by itself?
Acupuncture is not
always used as strictly needle insertion, in many cases a mild stimulation may
be added to some of the needles via a TENS unit (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) to increase
blood flow and promote increased Qi movement assisting with pain relief and
increasing the body’s ability to heal itself.
What should I
expect during and from my Acupuncture session?
As with any healthcare procedure, prior to beginning you should expect to be asked
a multitude of questions relating to your condition. This may include pain questionnaires, oral or
written medical history, your current dietary habits and/or what your lifestyle
entails. This is usually followed by a physical
examination to assist in the process of diagnosing your condition. Obviously your initial
visit will take up more time than follow up visits, so expect it to last roughly
90 or so minutes. Your follow up visits
will last anywhere from 30 – 45 minutes, up to an hour. Keep in mind acupuncture is a process, not a
one and done type treatment. Most likely
you’ll require multiple treatments to “get ahold” of you condition early on,
then fewer treatments once the condition is under control. As you improve, expect your treatment
frequency to be reduced accordingly. You
may then choose to continue with treatments every 2 weeks, monthly or quarterly
to keep you healthy and balanced.
How does it feel
to receive Acupuncture? Does it hurt?
The term “painful” is not typically how most patients describe their
acupuncture sessions. The truth is,
everyone is different and when the needle is inserted, one person may experience a minimal degree of initial
pressure, while another may feel a slight “stinging” (from the alcohol used to
clean the region) whereas another may not feel any initial sensations. Once all needles have been inserted and spun
down (twisting of the needle), it’s common to feel a tingling or heavy feeling
throughout the areas of the body being treated. After your treatment, you may experience a
feeling of elation or you may just feel relaxed and sleepy. It’s dependent upon your own biological individuality.
What type of
conditions do most people use Acupuncture to treat?
There’s a plethora of health conditions that may be treated via Acupuncture,
with pain relieve near the top of the list. (See below for a list developed in
1979 by the WHO (World Health Organization).
Acupuncture may be combined with other forms of treatment, specifically
Chiropractic spinal adjustments.
Below is a list
that was developed in 1979 by the World Health Organization (WHO) of common
conditions proven to respond to TCM Acupuncture:
Mental-Emotional:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Insomnia
Upper
Respiratory Tract:
- Acute
sinusitis
- Acute
rhinitis
- Common
Cold
- Acute
Tonsillitis
Respiratory
System:
- Acute
bronchitis
- Bronchial
asthma (most effective in children and in patients without complicating
diseases)
Disorders of the
eye:
- Acute
conjunctivitis
- Central
retinitis
- Myopia
(in children)
- Cataract
(without complications)
Disorders of the
mouth:
- Toothache
- post extraction pain
- Gingivitis
- Acute
and chronic pharyngitis
Gastro-intestinal disorders:
- Spasms
of the esophagus
- Hiccups
- Gastroptosis
- Acute
and chronic gastritis
- Gastric
hyperacidity
- Chronic
duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
- Acute
duodenal ulcer (without complications)
- Acute
and chronic colitis
- Acute
bacillary dysentery
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Paralytic
ileus
Neurological and
Musculoskeletal Disorders:
·
- Sciatica
- Low-back pain
- Headache
and migraine
- Trigeminal
neuralgia (TMJ)
- Facial
palsy (early stage, i.e. within six months)
- Pareses
following a stroke
- Peripheral
neuropathies
- Sequelae
of poliomyelitis (early sage i.e. within six months)
- Meniere’s
disease
- Neurogenic
bladder dysfunction
- Nocturnal
enuresis (bedwetting)
- Intercostal
neuralgia
- Cervicobrachial
syndrome
- “Frozen
shoulder” & “Tennis elbow”
- Osteoarthritis
- Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome
- Back
and Knee Pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic
Fatigue
- Sports
Injuries and Pains
In Addition, updated
science has shown Acupuncture can also be utilized effectively in:
- Adverse
reactions to radiotherapy and chemotherapy
- Allergies
- Blood
pressure problems
- Infertility
- Sexual
dysfunction (low libido, erectile dysfunction)
- Breech
position in pregnancy
- Induction
of labor
- Rheumatoid
arthritis
