What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an effective form of holistic treatment. Practitioners of acupuncture and Chinese medicine have used this noninvasive treatment method to help millions of people become well and stay well.
Acupuncture promotes natural healing. It can enhance recuperative power and immunity, support physical and emotional health, and improve overall function and well-being. It is a safe, painless and effective way to treat a wide variety of medical problems.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Inside of you is an intelligent, energetic system that maintains health and balance. Einstein showed us that everything is made of, and radiates energy. This subtle form of energy supports, shapes and enlivens our physical body and activates our lives. For the past 5,000 years, practitioners of acupuncture have called this intelligent energy Qi (pronounced "chee").
What Does an Acupuncturist Do?
THE MAIN MERIDIAN CHANNELS
Small Intestine, Triple Heater, Large Intestine, Stomach, Liver, Spleen, Kidney, Heart, Governing Vessel, Lungs, Bladder, Gall Bladder
During the initial exam, a full health history is taken. Questions are asked regarding health, symptoms and lifestyle. An appropriate physical exam is conducted, including pulse and tongue diagnosis.
Gathering this information enables the practitioner to effectively diagnose and detect any specific imbalances or blockages of Qi ("chee") that may have contributed to a person's health problems. The practitioner can then create a well-structured treatment plan.
There are various treatment methods to restore and maintain health. The first, most common of these is, of course, Acupuncture.
Once the imbalances of Qi are detected, an acupuncturist will place fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints along meridian pathways. This safe and painless insertion of the needles can unblock the obstruction and balance Qi where it has become unbalanced. Once this is done, Qi can freely circulate throughout the body, providing adequate nourishment to cells, organs, glands, tissues and muscles. This can eliminate pain and restore balance and harmony, as well as the body's ability to heal itself - ultimately leading to optimal health and well-being.
Other treatment methods used by Acupuncturists include:
Herbs
Moxibustion
Oriental nutrition
Qi Gong
Acupressure/Tuina
Cupping
Once the problem affecting the flow of Qi has been detected and corrected, the intelligent, energetic, self-healing powers within the body begin restoring health and balance to our lives.
Frequently asked questions
Is Acupuncture Safe?
YES! It has been used for well over 2500 years to help billions of people to get well and stay healthy, all without drugs and surgery. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners in 1996. The FDA requires that acupuncturists follow strict safety guidelines and use only sterile, nontoxic needles that are labeled for single use only.
Do acupuncture needles hurt?
Naturally, people associate needle pain with their past experience with hypodermic needles. You can fit close to 10 acupuncture needles inside the tip of one hypodermic needle. Acupuncture needles are tiny, thin and flexible, about the size of a cat's whisker. Once the needles are inserted, some patients may experience a mild tingling or a sensation of fullness, along with an increased sense of relaxation. These are all quite normal and suggest that the treatment is working.
How many treatments will I need?
Each patient is different. The initial phase of the treatment plan is usually between 8-14 visits. The length of treatment depends on how long the condition has been present and how quickly the patient responds to treatment. Generally if a condition is more acute, patients respond faster than if something has been chronic.
**These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions regarding acupuncture. For more detailed information or questions specific to your condition give us a call and we will be happy to speak with you and answer any further questions you may have.
WHAT is qi?
At the core of this ancient medicine is the philosophy that Qi, or vital energy, flows throughout the body. Qi animates the body and protects it from illness, pain and disease. A person's health is influenced by the quality, quantity and balance of Qi. When Qi is balanced and flowing freely, the body's natural self-healing abilities are activated, enabling internal stability and harmony to occur. The body will flourish, and true health and well-being can be achieved.
how does qi move?
Meridian pathways are like rivers flowing inside the body. Where a river flows, it transports life-giving water that provides nourishment to the land, plants and people. Similarly, where meridian pathways flow, they bring life-giving Qi that provides nourishment to every cell, organ, gland, tissue and muscle inside the body. A blockage in this flow of Qi can be detrimental to a person's health and lead to various signs and symptoms or health concerns.
Physical and emotional trauma, stress, lack of exercise, overexertion, seasonal changes, poor diet, accidents or excessive activity are among the many things that can influence the quality, quantity and balance of Qi.