Acupuncture Benefits

Q: What is acupuncture?
A: Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points, which have been empirically proven effective in the treatment of specific disorders. These points have been mapped by the Chinese over a period of 2000 years. Recently, their location has been confirmed by electromagnetic research.

Q: What problems can be treated by acupuncture?
A: The World Health Organization has publicly announced that acupuncture is suitable for treating the following:

1. Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders
Toothaches, pain after tooth extraction, gingivitis, acute or chronic otitis, acute sinusitis, acute rhinitis, nasal catarrh, and acute tonsillitis

2. Respiratory Disorders
Bronchial asthma (in children or adults when uncomplicated)

3. Gastrointestinal Disorders
Esophageal and cardio spasm, hiccup, gastroptosis, acute or chronic gastritis, sour stomach, chronic duodenal ulcers, acute or chronic colonitis, acute bacillary dysentery, constipation, diarrhea, and paralytic ileus

4. Eye Disorders
Acute conjunctivitis, central retinitis, nearsightedness (in children), and cataracts without complications

5. Neurological and Muscular Disorders
Headaches, migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis (within the first 3-6 months), post-stroke paresis, peripheral neuritis, neurological bladder dysfunction, bed wetting, intercostal neuralgia, cervical syndrome, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, sciatica, low back pain, and osteoarthritis
In addition, acupuncture has been used for centuries in China to treat a host of other problems, such as: knee pain, sprains and strains, and most gynecological complaints.

Q: How deep do the needles go?
A: That depends upon the nature of the problem, the underlying anatomy of the points selected, the patient's size, age, and constitution. It also depends upon the acupuncturist's style or school, as well. In general, the needles are inserted from Ľ to 1 inch in depth.

Q: Does it hurt?
A: In the Chinese language, acupuncture is bu tong, meaning painless. However, if the correct stimulus of the needle has been obtained, the patient should feel some cramping, heaviness, distention, tingling, or electric sensation either around the needle or traveling up or down the affected energy pathway or meridian. In English, these sensations may be categorized by some people as types of pain, but they are not in Chinese. In any case, if there is any discomfort, it is usually mild.

Q: Are the needles clean?
A: Most acupuncturists in America today use pre-sterilized, individually packaged, disposable needles. Thus, a patient is absolutely assured that there is no transmission of communicable disease from patient to patient due to contaminated needles. The National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists does include a Clean Needle Test as part of every National board exam for acupuncturists in America.

Q: Do acupuncturists only insert needles?
A: No. As an integral part of what in English is called acupuncture, most practitioners are also trained to use a number of adjunctive therapies. These typically include moxibustion, which is the burning of the herb Artemisia vulgaris sinensis over the affected area to warm it, cupping, electronic stimulation, magnetothreapy, and various types of massage, such as acupressure, Shiatsu, Jin Shin Jyutsu, and/or Tuina Chinese remedial massage.

Q: How does acupuncture work?
A: That's a big question. Traditionally, acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese theories of the flow of Qi (energy) and Xue (blood) through discrete channels or meridians, which traverse the body similarly but not identically to the nervous and blood circulatory systems. According to this theory, acupuncture regulates this flow of Qi shunting it to those areas where it is deficient and draining it from where it is excess. Thus, acupuncture regulates and restores the harmonious energetic balance of the body. There is a famous dictum used by the Chinese that states, "There is no pain if there is free flow; if there is pain, there is no free flow ." Essentially, acupuncture promotes the free and balanced flow of Qi and blood.

Q: Are there different styles of acupuncture?
A: Yes, there are. Acupuncture originated in China but has spread to Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Europe, the British Isles, and America. In different countries, different styles have developed based on differing opinions as to theory and technique. Patients should query potential practitioners as to their particular style and orientation and should ascertain if that style is appropriate for the treatment of their individual ailment.

Q: What criteria should one use in choosing an acupuncturist?
A: Acupuncture is a licensed and regulated healthcare profession in approximately half the states in the Union. In those where it is licensed, patients should first of all ensure themselves that the potential practitioner is licensed. In the states that do not currently require licensing, patients should seek practitioners who are national board certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists. Acupuncturists having passed this exam usually append Dipl.Ac. (NCCA) after their names. In addition, patients should inquire about where the practitioner was trained, how long the training was, how long he or she has been in practice, and what experience the practitioner has had in treating the patient's specific ailment. And beyond intelligently checking a practitioner's professional credentials, the best assurance is word of mouth from satisfied patients.

Q: How many treatments will I need?
A: That depends upon the duration, severity, and nature of each individual's complaint. Generally from five to fifteen treatments are adequate for the majority of chronic ailments. Many acute conditions may only require a single treatment and some degenerative conditions may require scores of treatments. However, the patient will be addressed and treated in a direct and timely manner.

Q: Is there anything I need to do before receiving an acupuncture treatment?
A: Yes, the following suggestions will help you get the maximum benefits from your treatment.

1. Maintain good personal hygiene to reduce the possibility of bacterial infection.
2. In order to prevent loss, do not wear jewelry.

3. Wear loose clothing. Women should not wear one-piece dresses. Avoid wearing tight stockings.

4. Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry, full, emotionally upset, or shortly after sex.

Q: Is there anything I need to do while receiving acupuncture?
A: Yes Again.

1. There's no need to be frightened. RELAX. Relaxation is something that cannot be overemphasized.

2. If you experience dizziness, nausea, cold sweat, shortness of breath, or faintness during treatment, this is known as needle shock. Immediately inform your practitioner and they will withdraw the needles. Needle shock is primarily due to anxiety in first-time patients. It rarely happens if the patient is treated lying down.

3. Feel free to let your practitioner know of any pain or burning sensations experienced during acupuncture or moxibustion. If you find acupuncture or electro-acupuncture unbearable at any point during treatment, be sure to speak up so that the proper adjustments can be made.

4. Do not change your position or move suddenly.

Q: What can I expect after treatment?
A: One may experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms. This relief may last or some of the pain may return. In a few cases, the pain may seem even worse. This is called the rebound effect. By the next day, the pain can be expected to gradually improve. Often, the most dramatic results are experienced in the first treatment. However, one should see further incremental improvement after each subsequent treatment. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to experience the pain diminish over the next couple of days.
Most patients will have more questions than these, such as: Should I continue taking my present medication? What should I eat? Is there anything I can do for myself at home? What signs of success should I look for first and after how long? All of these are valid and valuable questions and can be answered in person by the practitioner whose name appears below. In the meantime, remember

ACUPUNCTURE WORKS!