About Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning, this is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

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, and organs. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up in others.

Meridians can be influenced by needling 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.

Nature of Treatment:

Your treatment may include acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, acupressure, dermal friction (Gua Sha), Chinese herbs, therapeutic exercises, and dietary counseling based on the fundamentals of Chinese medicine. 

* See Treatment Modalities for a better understanding of these procedures

 Benefit of Treatment: 

Oriental Medicine is a complete medicine.

It has been used for over 2,000 years to treat a variety of disorders encompassing but not limited to Cardiovascular, Musculoskeletal, Infertility, Digestive Disorders, Insomnia, and Psycho-emotional disorders.

 The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture to be effective in the treatment of the following conditions (only some of the more common conditions are listed here):

Headache                                                                       Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout

Neck pain and stiffness                                                Tennis Elbow

Back pain                                                                        Insomnia

Frozen shoulder                                                             Recurring Bladder Infections                                         

Sciatica                                                                            Chronic Prostatitis

Sprain                                                                                       Hay Fever

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy                                    Bells Palsy

Shingles                                                                           Asthma

Fibromyalgia                                                                  Depression

TMJ dysfunction                                                            Schizophrenia

Postoperative pain                                                       Abdominal Pain

Painful menstruation                                                   Ulcerative Colitis

Premenstrual syndrome                                              Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Infertility                                                                         Gallstones

Polycystic ovary syndrome                                          Reynaud’s Syndrome

Morning sickness                                                           Cancer Pain

Insufficient lactation                                                     Side Effects of Cancer Treatment

Type II diabetes

High blood pressure

Stroke rehabilitation

Low blood pressure

Questions and Answers: 

Are The Needles Re-used?

No.

All needles are pre-sterilized, one-time-use needles made of surgical stainless steel.

After each treatment they are disposed of as medical waste, needles are never reused. 

Additionally, your acupuncturist has had training in Clean Needle Technique and Universal

Precautions.

 Does it Hurt?

Although people experience different levels of sensitivity, we work very closely with you to make sure your experience is comfortable and positive.

A normal response experienced is a vague sensation numbness, tingling, or heaviness where the needles are inserted, as well as a calming effect upon the mind.

How Big Are The Needles?

The needles are slightly thicker than a human hair. Needle length and depth of insertion vary for each patient and also the location of the acupuncture point on the body.

How Long Are The Needles In?

Needles are typically retained for about 20-25 minutes. We will play soothing music to help you relax during this time. Many people even fall asleep.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

The number of treatments you require will depend on the nature of the condition being treated and the patient’s constitution, some problems are resolved within a few treatments and others require more long-term care.

An Acupuncturist may recommend treatments one to two times a week, or possibly once a month for health maintenance.

Following the lifestyle and dietary changes recommended by your acupuncturist often minimizes the number of treatments required.

How To Prepare For Your Acupuncture Visit

Before You Come 

·       Make sure to eat something light an hour or two before arriving

               You should avoid a heavy meal before your treatment.

·       Try to avoid the intake of caffeine or pain medications

·       Wear loose fitting clothes

·       Refrain from overexertion, drugs, or alcohol for up to 6 hours before your treatment

·       Bring a list of medications you are taking 

Your First Visit

During the assessment we may ask you about some things that you might not think are connected to your chief complaint, for example, your emotions, sleeping patterns, and eating habits. Chinese medicine considers the whole person, not just one isolated symptom. When put together, the myriad of symptoms and signs you are experiencing reveal patterns of disharmony. Although treatment will focus on your chief complaint, your whole being must be considered in order to develop the most appropriate course of treatment. Chinese medicine is unique in that it appreciates that illnesses may be identical, but the persons suffering from them are individuals.

Pulse and Tongue Diagnosis

As part of your intake, viewing your tongue and feeling your pulse can provide a Chinese Medical practitioner with a great deal of information about your body to help guide the treatment.

Your tongue is a map of the body and contains valuable information about the health of your vital organs. Oriental medicine practitioners look at the color, shape, coating, and cracks in your tongue to better assess what’s going on in your body internally.

There are 12 main pulse positions found on your wrists that your practitioner will palpate to get a better idea of how specific organs and meridians in your body are functioning. These include different widths, strengths, qualities and speeds.

All of the information gained from your tongue, pulse, and questioning will be used to better understand what is going on inside your body, and to pin point any imbalances.

Treatment Modalities

Gua Sha

An ancient Chinese secret, Gua Sha therapy is still practiced by many Chinese today. You may ask, "What is that?" Gua means to scrape or rub. Sha is a “reddish, elevated, millet-like skin rash”(aka petechiae). Sha is the term used to describe Blood stasis in the subcutaneous tissue before and after it is raised as petechiae. Gua Sha is one technique that intentionally raises a Sha rash or petechiae. It is a traditional ancient Chinese healing technique that dates back over two thousand years.

This ancient method of promoting "qi" or bioelectric vital life energy and blood circulation as well as the removal of toxic heat, stagnant blood and lymph fluid from the body is an extremely important, almost miraculous method of improving one's health. "Qi" is the constant and vigorous movement of energy or life force that keeps us healthy and alive.

Gua Sha treatments are not painful. As the body is scraped it pushes a build-up of fluid ahead of it, and after it passes, it leaves an indention or vacuum behind which draws toxic fluid out to the surface of the skin from deep within the tissue. The toxic fluid (Sha), floods to the surface and can be seen in small red, deep purple or green pools of blood, it is also often hot on the area that the toxic heat is extracted. Red spots are an indication that toxins are being released. Where the area is deep purple the blood is old and extremely stagnant.

Cupping

A partial vacuum is created in glass cups placed on the skin either by means of heat or suction. This draws up the underlying tissues. When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localized healing takes place.

Cupping has also been found to affect the body up to four inches into the tissues, causing tissues to release toxins, activate the lymphatic system, clear colon blockages, help activate and clear the veins, arteries and capillaries, activate the skin.

Moxibustion

In indirect moxibustion, a practitioner lights one end of a moxa stick (roughly the shape and size of a cigar) and holds it an inch or two away from the skin, usually around the inserted needles to bring mild warmth to the area without burning, until the skin becomes slightly red. The intensity of the heat is adjusted according to the patient’s condition and comfort. Indirect moxa is considered to induce a gradual localized vasodilatation response. In addition to increasing the local blood flow, skillful indirect moxibustion is extremely comforting and can create a deep relaxation response.

Moxibustion therapy in conjunction with acupuncture can be very effective for many diseases and conditions including back pain, muscle stiffness, headaches, migraines, tendonitis, arthritis, digestive disorders, anxiety, and female health problems such as menstrual cramps, irregular periods, and infertility. 

Moxibustion can be applied in many different ways and the expected physiological reactions from moxibustion can greatly vary depending on the type and technique used. By carefully considering the type of moxibustion, and where and how to apply it, moxibustion can be used safely and effectively for almost all patients. 

However, it should be noted that moxa, especially direct moxa, is generally not recommended for patients with diabetes, decreased sensitivity to pain, who are on certain medications such as prednisone.