• What is Acupuncture?
  
• What Does Acupuncture Do?
  
• How Does Acupuncture Work?
  
• Is Acupuncture Painful?
  
• What Aspects of Illness Can be Treated by Acupuncture?
  
• Is the Acupuncturist Certified?
  
• Does the Acupuncturist Take Pulses?
  
• Are Clean Techniques Used?
  
• Does the Acupuncturist Make Large Promises?
  
• Does the Acupuncturist Give You the Time You Need?
  
• Acupuncture Treatment for Substance Abuse
  
• How Acupuncture Treatment for Substance Abuse Began?
  
• Why Acupuncture for Detox?
  
• Acupuncture Treatment
  
• How Will I Feel During the Treatment?
  
• The Detoxification Process
  
• How to Receive Maximum Benefit From Acupuncture?
  
• What Can I Expect When Visiting an Acupuncturist?
  
• What About the Needles - Do They Hurt?
  
• What is the Relationship Between Acupuncture and Conventional Medical Care?
  
• What is Sports Acupuncture?
  
• How Are Internal Disorders Treated?
  
• What is Treatment Like?
  

Acupuncture works by stimulating the body's own healing abilities. The fine hair-thin needles do not inject anything into the body. Instead, the healing chemistry of the body is augmented, directed, and generally made more competent to manage health problems. Acupuncture is safe because it relies on the androgenous (an-drog-ge-nes) body chemistry. As a result, the side effects that one commonly encounters when taking drugs are not produced. Modern medical research is only beginning to unravel the biochemical pathways which acupuncture employs. Enough practical experience and knowledge of acupuncture's benefits has accumulated, however, that now several leading medical centers routinely offer it, particularly in the treatment of chronic pain. The Mayo Clinic has had an acupuncture service since 1975, and the World Health Organization of the United Nations currently lists 47 different illnesses that may be effectively treated with acupuncture. Although part of a system of traditional health care for body and mind which dates back three thousand years, acupuncture today is at the forefront of modern medical research and practice. Some treatable conditions include: migraines (my-grains), asthma (as-ma), bursitis (burr-sitis), tendinitis (tendin-itis), menstrual pain, weight loss, trigeminal (tri-jem-e-n-l) neuralgia (noo-ral-ja), stroke rehabilitation, back pain/sciatica (si-at-I-ka), stress-related illness, duodenal (doo-e-de-nal) ulcers, arthritic pain, sports injuries.

What Does Acupuncture Do? top

Just a tune-up keeps an automobile in good running order. Acupuncture can maintain health and prevent illness and disability. These were the goals of ancient Oriental medicine. Physicians of the Court were payed only as long as their patient stayed well. To this end, they advised their patients not only on proper nutrition and adequate exercise, but also on the importance of their mental attitudes. Depression, a lack of one's usual level of energy - not sick, but definitely not up to par, if allowed to persist, can often result in actual illness. When pre-clinical symptoms are properly treated, the onset of illness can be avoided. Aging, physical deterioration and eventual death are inevitable, following the laws of nature. It is possible, however, to prevent early and unnecessary deterioration.

How Does Acupuncture Work? top

Chinese medical theory holds that a vital life energy circulates through the human body by way of channels called meridians (similar but not identical to the nervous and blood circulatory systems). When this flow of energy is smooth and unobstructed, good health is the result. However, if for any reason, this flow is blocked. Then ailments and disease occur. The function of acupuncture is to restore balance in the body so the vital life energy can flow.

Is Acupuncture Painful top

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine and their insertion is often not even felt. Some persons have more skin sensitivity than others and some points are more sensitive to treat than others. Most people, however, say the treatments are not at all painful. Once the needles are in place, the patient can expect to feel a dull sensation, a sense of warmth, or sometimes even a slight flow of energy up and down from the point. Deep relaxation during treatment is the most common report of patients.

What Aspects of Illness Can be Treated by Acupuncture? top

Acupuncture is perhaps best known for its efficiency in relieving pain. Modern medical research attributes this in part to acupuncture's power to increase the body's level of endorphin (en-dor-fin) in the bloodstream. Acupuncture stimulates the body to produce its own morphine-like substance to alleviate pain. Nerve impulses are normalized and balanced because of the interconnection of the acupuncture points and the central nervous systems, thus suppressing pain. To think of acupuncture only in terms of relieving pain is to take too narrow a view of its potential uses, and to overlook its successes in the treatment of organic and stress-related disorders. Acupuncture can affect any disease or disorder as long as the body is functioning and no organ has been destroyed. Obviously it cannot heal a broken bone. Modern surgery is indeed a miracle, offering us skin grafts, plastic joints, and artificial valves and limbs when the originals have been irreparably damaged. However, it is difficult for human beings to find spare parts and even when they are available, the body often rejects them. Acupuncture, on the other hand, works to improve the quality and function of the organs we still have. Experiential evidence points to acupuncture's ability to alleviate the symptoms common to organic disorders by strengthening the body's natural resistance and its immune systems. After acupuncture treatment, there is an increase in the levels of white blood cells and increase in the levels of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Globulins (glow-bu-lins). It is believed that Alpha and Beta Globulins help white blood cells to fight infection. Gamma Globulins are associated with the production of immune antibodies.

Is the Acupuncturist Certified? top

A certificate of course completion from an accredited institution should be posted in the practitioner's office. In some states, acupuncturists may be registered or licensed , as required by that state's law. The practitioner may also hold national certification from the NCCA the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists.

Does the Acupuncturist Take Pulses? top

In traditional, or holistic acupuncture, a special system of pulse-taking is a critical technique used to determine the course of treatment and the response to treatment.

Are Clean Techniques Used? top

Most practitioners in the United States use disposable needles. If disposable needles are not used, you should ask about the sterilization process.

Does the Acupuncturist Make Large Promises? top

Every individual responds to treatment differently. Be wary of any practitioner that guarantees relief.

Does the Acupuncturist Give You the Time You Need? top

There should be extended conversation before the acupuncturist begins treating you. You should always feel comfortable asking questions.

Acupuncture Treatment for Substance Abuse top

Acupuncture helps people recover from drugs and alcohol problems. It is used in clinics throughout the United States. Acupuncture can decrease cravings for drugs and alcohol, reduce withdrawal symptoms, relieve tension, and help people relax. Acupuncture treatments, taken enough times, clear the mind, build energy, and give a sense of well being. According to Chinese tradition, placing acupuncture needles in the ear affect specific organs such as the liver and kidneys. Western science has confirmed that acupuncture treatments change levels of chemicals in the body and act on the nervous system. Acupuncture itself is not a substitute for therapy but it used in addition to counseling and self-help programs.

How Acupuncture Treatment for Substance Abuse Began? top

One day in the early 1970's, H.L. Wen, M.D., then the only neurosurgeon in all of South China and Hong Kong, was preparing to use electro-acupuncture as surgical analgesia and the patient, who happened to be experiencing withdrawal symptoms from opium at the time, reported his symptoms had disappeared. Wen canceled the surgery and scouted the hospital for other patients in withdrawal. He gave his pre-op procedure to them and their symptoms also ceased. Acupuncture for substance abuse was born.

Why Acupuncture for Detox? top

It reduces physical symptoms of withdrawal, relieves depression, anxiety, and insomnia, profoundly relieves withdrawal symptoms including cravings, body aches, headache, nausea, sweating, muscle cramping, etc. The acupuncture detoxification is an ideal partner with other programs. It alleviates withdrawal symptoms so mental and physical stability are quickly achieved. This gives a new level of comfort allowing for more effective counseling. Twelve Step program participation, or participation in any other treatment program is considered important to sobriety. In addition, acupuncture, can be used safely with any other health condition, does not utilize other abusable, addictive drugs for treatment, can be effectively done on an outpatient basis, and is successfully used as a drug detoxification method at over 100 different drug treatment clinics in the United States. It's also used successfully for this purpose in at least 25 other countries.

Acupuncture Treatment top

Five tiny needles are placed in each ear, and then the client rests quietly for 45 minutes. This is a good time to relax, meditate, or think about changes to be made in your life. In detoxification treatment, points in the ear correspond to specific organs including the lungs, liver, kidneys, and nervous system. One of the points is for relaxation. The treatment triggers the release of natural body chemicals, including endorphin (en-dor-fin), which help reduce cravings for drugs, ease withdrawal symptoms, and increases relaxation.

How Will I Feel During the Treatment? top

Once the needles have been placed, your ears may tingle or feel warm. Some people even fall asleep. These are normal responses. Some people say they feel very relaxed when they are having the treatment, others don't feel much at all. Even if you don't feel much you are still getting the benefit of the treatment. Acupuncture is most effective after a series of treatments over a period of time.

The Detoxification Process top

During detoxification, your body filters out the toxins that you have been storing up. Blood circulation begins to improve. Sometimes during the detoxification period you may feel achy, not sleep well, be cranky, or even have drug dreams. Please let the acupuncturist know if you have any of these symptoms so that additional acupuncture points can be added to your treatment.

How to Receive Maximum Benefit From Acupuncture? top

Treatment time should be used to sit quietly, relax and reflect, or meditate. Do not smoke cigarettes or drink coffee in the half hour before and after treatment. Let the acupuncturist know if you have any health problems. Get daily acupuncture treatments for the first two weeks, then three treatments a week for several weeks, then two treatments per week for several additional weeks. Final treatments should be once a week. If relapse occurs or something stressful happens in your life, then additional treatments are recommended.

What Can I Expect When Visiting an Acupuncturist? top

There are many different styles of acupuncture. Regardless of the style practiced, the first visit should help your practitioner understand your reasons for seeking acupuncture treatment and assess the underlying imbalances leading to your symptoms. This session, the T.D., or Traditional Diagnosis, begins with an interview which includes both your medical and personal history, and continues with a physical examination and consultation. Depending on your practitioner, you may or may not receive a treatment at the time of your first visit. he length and frequency of subsequent visits will vary depending on your practitioner and your response to treatment. The treatments will generally not involve more than six to twelve needles, and may also include a related technique called moxibustion(mak-si-bus-chen). You'll be seen weekly for six to eight weeks so that both you and your practitioner can closely follow your response to treatment.

What About the Needles - Do They Hurt? top

First of all, the needles used to stimulate acupuncture points have no resemblance to hypodermic syringes. Acupuncture needles are very slender, about the thickness of two human hairs. Many practitioners now use only stainless steel, pre-sterilized, disposable needles which are used once and then discarded. Most insertions are just beneath the skin's surface. The sensations vary from person to person. Usually a dull, momentary ache or tingling is felt.

What is the Relationship Between Acupuncture and Conventional Medical Care? top

While acupuncture is concerned with the whole person and addresses itself to many levels of functioning, it is also a particular form of treatment with its own limitations. It needs to be used in conjunction with health-promoting attitudes and behaviors. Responsible acupuncturists cooperate with other health care professionals and do not recommend altering medications or other therapies without consulting a patient's personal physician or provider.

What is Sports Acupuncture? top

Acupuncture/Oriental Medicine is a holistic medical system that is particularly effective for the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal (mus-ke-lo-skeletal) disorders, making it an ideal treatment for recreational and professional athletes. Acupuncture releases tension in the muscles and connective tissue so that the nervous, circulatory, and lymphatic (lym-fatic) systems are able to function more effectively. Numerous sports figures, including Carl Lewis, Kimiko Date, Jim McMahon, and Charles Barkley, have used acupuncture to enhance training and performance, accelerate healing, and manage pain.

How Are Internal Disorders Treated? top

Customized herbal formulations help to strengthen, detoxify, and balance the organs, glands, and immune system. For the athlete, herbs can help increase endurance, reduce "down time," and assist the body to work at its optimal level. Common clinical disorders treated include: digestive, gynecological, respiratory, circulation, immune, skin, allergic, emotional.

What is Treatment Like? top