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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:   

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

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

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
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