Acupuncture is an ancient healing art that originated in China 3,000 -
5,000 years ago. It involves the placement of thin needles through the
skin at defined locations that induce a change in the body’s natural
healing and pain relief mechanisms.
What is Medical Acupuncture? Is it different from ordinary acupuncture?
Medical acupuncture is the term used to describe acupuncture performed
by a physician trained and licensed in Western medicine who has also
had thorough training in acupuncture as a specialty practice. Such a
doctor can use one or the other approach, or a combination of both as
the need arises, to treat an illness.
How does acupuncture work?
The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in
regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy
channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to
irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of
these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up in others.
The
meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points; the
acupuncture needles unblock the obstructions at the dams, and
reestablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture
treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct
imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production
activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the
meridians.
The modern scientific
explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the
nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and
brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or
they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which
influence the body's own internal regulating system.
The
improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results
in stimulating the body's natural healing abilities, and in promoting
physical and emotional well-being.
What can acupuncture be used for?
While acupuncture is often associated with pain control, in the hands
of a well-trained practitioner it has much broader applications.
Acupuncture can be effective as the only treatment used, or as the
support or adjunct to other medical treatment forms in many medical and
surgical disorders.The World Health Organization recognizes the use of
acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems,
including:
Neurological and muscular disorders: headaches, neck pain, frozen shoulder, osteoarthritis.
Digestive disorders: gastritis and hyperacidity, spastic colon, constipation, diarrhea.
Acupuncture is particularly useful in resolving physical problems related to tension, stress and emotional conditions.
How many treatments are required?
The number of treatments is different
from person to person. In general, the longer a condition has been
present and the more complex a patient's medical condition, the longer
the course of treatment will need to be.
Patient
visits are usually scheduled once a week, although two or three visits
per week may be necessary. Visits may be scheduled every two or three
weeks as patient conditions improve. Patients with chronic pain
typically require maintenance treatments at four, six or eight-week
intervals, depending on their response to treatment.
Are there any side effects to acupuncture?
Usually not. As energy is redirected in the body, internal chemicals
and hormones are stimulated and healing begins to take place. Often the
original symptoms worsen for a few days, or other general changes in
appetite, sleep, bowel or urination patterns, or emotional state may be
triggered. These should not cause concern, as they are simply
indications that the acupuncture is starting to work. It is quite
common with the first one or two treatments to have a sensation of deep
relaxation or even mild disorientation immediately following the
treatment. These pass within a short time, and never require anything
more than a bit of rest to overcome.
Because I use disposable needles, there is no risk of infection from the treatments.
Does acupuncture hurt?
People experience acupuncture needling
differently. Most patients feel only minimal pain as the needles are
inserted; some feel no pain at all. Once the needles are in place,
there is no pain felt. Acupuncture needles are very thin and solid and
are made from stainless steel. The point is smooth (not hollow with
cutting edges like a hypodermic needle) and insertion through the skin
is not as painful as injections or blood sampling. The risk of bruising
and skin irritation is less than when using a hollow needle.
If you would like to schedule a visit for medical acupuncture, please send me an email at lonna@wholefamilymd.com or call at 831-421-0775. You may also simply schedule an appointment,
but if it is your first visit, I will need you to fill out a rather
extensive questionnaire before you come in, and I will need to allow more time. I can email or mail the questionnaire to you, but either way I will need you to let me know so that I can make arrangements.
The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in
regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy
channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to
irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of
these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up in others.
The
meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points; the
acupuncture needles unblock the obstructions at the dams, and
reestablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture
treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct
imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production
activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the
meridians.
The modern scientific
explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the
nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and
brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or
they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which
influence the body's own internal regulating system.
The
improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results
in stimulating the body's natural healing abilities, and in promoting
physical and emotional well-being.
People experience acupuncture needling
differently. Most patients feel only minimal pain as the needles are
inserted; some feel no pain at all. Once the needles are in place,
there is no pain felt. Acupuncture needles are very thin and solid and
are made from stainless steel. The point is smooth (not hollow with
cutting edges like a hypodermic needle) and insertion through the skin
is not as painful as injections or blood sampling. The risk of bruising
and skin irritation is less than when using a hollow needle.