WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture, simply stated, is a health science which is used to successfully treat both pain and dysfunction in the body.
Acupuncture has its roots deeply planted in China. In fact, authorities agree the science is between 5,000 and 7,000 years old. Its use spread throughout ancient Egypt, the Middle East, the Roman Empire and later into Western Europe as merchants and missionaries to China told of the amazing discoveries the people of the Orient had developed. Acupuncture did not become known on a national level in the USA until 1971 when diplomatic relations between China and America were relaxed.
At first glimpse, Acupuncture appears strange, as its primary notoriety is the utilization of needles placed in the skin at various locations to relieve pain or affect a body part.
Early Chinese physicians discovered an energy network traversing just below the surface of the skin which communicates from the exterior to the internal organs and structures over 1,000 "Acupoints" on the body. This energy works in harmony with the body's circulatory, nervous, muscular, digestive, genitourinary and all other systems of the body. When this vital energy becomes blocked or weakened, an effect in a body system or anatomic location becomes evident. Stimulation of one or a combination of key "Acupoints" on the body may restore harmony to the affected area.
Historians have stated, "More people have benefited from Acupuncture over the course of fifty centuries than the combined total of all other healing sciences, both ancient and modern."
IS TREATMENT PAINFUL?
One would assume inserting a needle into the skin would be painful since most of us can relate to being stuck with a pin or having a hypodermic injection. However, four Acupuncture needles can easily be inserted into the hollow tube of a hypodermic needle. Because of the extreme slenderness of the needle, most people compare the sensations fo "less than a mosquito bite." A phenomena referred to as "Da Oi" occurs when the energy is contacted. This sensation is felt as a mild to moderate heaviness or tingling.
Needles obviously have their place in clinical practice. However, many physicians certified in Acupuncture and licensed Acupuncturists are employing electronic and laser stimulation to the Acupoint with equal effectiveness as the needle. Both of these procedures are painless.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE USUAL?
Obviously the number of treatments vary with different conditions and individuals. Chronic problems generally require more treatment than acute ones. Some patients notice an immediate improvement after the first treatment, whereas others may not notice any effect until the seventh or eighth visit. It's been shown that a certain percentage of patients receive maximum benefit up to three months following a course of therapy.
A small number of patients will receive a worsening of symptoms, as the body's energies are returning to normal. This is usual and no need for alarm. It is followed by improvement. Researchers internationally agree the usual number of treatments is between eight and sixteen. The usual frequency is between two and four times a week. Results are usually seen within 8-10 treatments.
The patient and acupuncturist work together to determine the length of the treatment program and how to measure results of the treatment. Even though it is possible to achieve success in a 5 treatment program, a ten treatment program would have a better chance for sucess. Patients are encouraged to be patient with the healing process.
ARE RESULTS PSYCHOLOGICAL?
Many critics of Acupuncture have suggested the science is hypnosis or "mind over matter." This criticism is totally unfounded as Acupuncture has startling effects in infants and toddlers as well as veterinary applications. The effect it has in surgery as an anesthetic further disclams the skeptics. Even total disbelievers report favorable responses to Acupuncture. A positive outlook is obviously beneficial in all phases of life, including healing.
WHAT CONDITIONS ARE ACCEPTED?
Acupuncture textbooks list well over one hundred different conditions that respond well to Acupuncture. The World Health Organization, working in close harmony with the International Acupuncture training center of the Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has indicated Acupuncture is effective in the following conditions.
Acute and chronic pain relief, migraine, tension cluster and sinus headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, bladder dysfunction, bed wetting, cervical (neck) pain, and mid-back pain, low shoulder, tennis elbow, post-operative pain relief, gastric problems, asthma, allergies, skin conditions, hemorrhoids, abnormal blood pressure, fatigue, anxiety, neurological syndrome, various eye problems, etc., etc.
This is only a partIal list of the numerous conditions Acupuncture has been credited with helping.
IS ACUPUNCTURE EXPENSIVE?
The cost of Acupuncture treatment varies in different parts of the country. However, the average appears to be between $45,00 and $85.00 per treatment.
ARE RESULTS PERMANENT?
For acute problems where there has been little or no organ system or tissue damage, results are often permanent. For chronic conditions, symptoms may recur from time to time. Generally a few additional treatments are sufficient to obtain relief. It's suggested that patients with severe or chronic conditions return for a booster treatment two to three times a year.
ACUPUNCTURE EXAMINATION
The acupuncture examination begins with the acupuncturist asking the patient the "10 Basic Questions". These questions may seem not to apply to the patient's main complaint, but the answers to them are essential to giving the practitioner an overall view of the patient's constitution. In acupuncture treating the patient includes bringing their body into balance as well as treating the major complaint.
Perhaps the cornerstone of the Acupuncture examination is pulse diagnosis whereby the trained practitioner, by feeling the pulse, is able to determine the balance of the twelve meridians. The pulse is read in 9 different positions on each wrist of the patient. Each position represents a different energy system i the patient's body.
The the acupuncturist will ask to see the patient's tongue - a big relaxed tongue. In Chinese medicine the tongue reflects the whole body and provides valuable information to the patient's treatment. So don't be surprised when you get the chance to stick out your tongue at your practitioner.
THE BODY IS LIKE A HOLOGRAM
In Chinese medicine each part of the body can be representative of the whole. If you've ever seen a hologram broken into pieces, you know each tiny piece still contains the original whole picture. The same applies to the human body. So the ear, or hand, can be treated to effect any of the other organs in the body. Treating certain areas of the scalp can be very effective for Parkinson's tremors or stroke paralysis. Many areas of the body can be treated with acupuncture to achieve a balance to the whole.
Acupuncture, simply stated, is a health science which is used to successfully treat both pain and dysfunction in the body.
Acupuncture has its roots deeply planted in China. In fact, authorities agree the science is between 5,000 and 7,000 years old. Its use spread throughout ancient Egypt, the Middle East, the Roman Empire and later into Western Europe as merchants and missionaries to China told of the amazing discoveries the people of the Orient had developed. Acupuncture did not become known on a national level in the USA until 1971 when diplomatic relations between China and America were relaxed.
At first glimpse, Acupuncture appears strange, as its primary notoriety is the utilization of needles placed in the skin at various locations to relieve pain or affect a body part.
Early Chinese physicians discovered an energy network traversing just below the surface of the skin which communicates from the exterior to the internal organs and structures over 1,000 "Acupoints" on the body. This energy works in harmony with the body's circulatory, nervous, muscular, digestive, genitourinary and all other systems of the body. When this vital energy becomes blocked or weakened, an effect in a body system or anatomic location becomes evident. Stimulation of one or a combination of key "Acupoints" on the body may restore harmony to the affected area.
Historians have stated, "More people have benefited from Acupuncture over the course of fifty centuries than the combined total of all other healing sciences, both ancient and modern."
IS TREATMENT PAINFUL?
One would assume inserting a needle into the skin would be painful since most of us can relate to being stuck with a pin or having a hypodermic injection. However, four Acupuncture needles can easily be inserted into the hollow tube of a hypodermic needle. Because of the extreme slenderness of the needle, most people compare the sensations fo "less than a mosquito bite." A phenomena referred to as "Da Oi" occurs when the energy is contacted. This sensation is felt as a mild to moderate heaviness or tingling.
Needles obviously have their place in clinical practice. However, many physicians certified in Acupuncture and licensed Acupuncturists are employing electronic and laser stimulation to the Acupoint with equal effectiveness as the needle. Both of these procedures are painless.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE USUAL?
Obviously the number of treatments vary with different conditions and individuals. Chronic problems generally require more treatment than acute ones. Some patients notice an immediate improvement after the first treatment, whereas others may not notice any effect until the seventh or eighth visit. It's been shown that a certain percentage of patients receive maximum benefit up to three months following a course of therapy.
A small number of patients will receive a worsening of symptoms, as the body's energies are returning to normal. This is usual and no need for alarm. It is followed by improvement. Researchers internationally agree the usual number of treatments is between eight and sixteen. The usual frequency is between two and four times a week. Results are usually seen within 8-10 treatments.
The patient and acupuncturist work together to determine the length of the treatment program and how to measure results of the treatment. Even though it is possible to achieve success in a 5 treatment program, a ten treatment program would have a better chance for sucess. Patients are encouraged to be patient with the healing process.
ARE RESULTS PSYCHOLOGICAL?
Many critics of Acupuncture have suggested the science is hypnosis or "mind over matter." This criticism is totally unfounded as Acupuncture has startling effects in infants and toddlers as well as veterinary applications. The effect it has in surgery as an anesthetic further disclams the skeptics. Even total disbelievers report favorable responses to Acupuncture. A positive outlook is obviously beneficial in all phases of life, including healing.
WHAT CONDITIONS ARE ACCEPTED?
Acupuncture textbooks list well over one hundred different conditions that respond well to Acupuncture. The World Health Organization, working in close harmony with the International Acupuncture training center of the Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has indicated Acupuncture is effective in the following conditions.
Acute and chronic pain relief, migraine, tension cluster and sinus headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, bladder dysfunction, bed wetting, cervical (neck) pain, and mid-back pain, low shoulder, tennis elbow, post-operative pain relief, gastric problems, asthma, allergies, skin conditions, hemorrhoids, abnormal blood pressure, fatigue, anxiety, neurological syndrome, various eye problems, etc., etc.
This is only a partIal list of the numerous conditions Acupuncture has been credited with helping.
IS ACUPUNCTURE EXPENSIVE?
The cost of Acupuncture treatment varies in different parts of the country. However, the average appears to be between $45,00 and $85.00 per treatment.
ARE RESULTS PERMANENT?
For acute problems where there has been little or no organ system or tissue damage, results are often permanent. For chronic conditions, symptoms may recur from time to time. Generally a few additional treatments are sufficient to obtain relief. It's suggested that patients with severe or chronic conditions return for a booster treatment two to three times a year.
ACUPUNCTURE EXAMINATION
The acupuncture examination begins with the acupuncturist asking the patient the "10 Basic Questions". These questions may seem not to apply to the patient's main complaint, but the answers to them are essential to giving the practitioner an overall view of the patient's constitution. In acupuncture treating the patient includes bringing their body into balance as well as treating the major complaint.
Perhaps the cornerstone of the Acupuncture examination is pulse diagnosis whereby the trained practitioner, by feeling the pulse, is able to determine the balance of the twelve meridians. The pulse is read in 9 different positions on each wrist of the patient. Each position represents a different energy system i the patient's body.
The the acupuncturist will ask to see the patient's tongue - a big relaxed tongue. In Chinese medicine the tongue reflects the whole body and provides valuable information to the patient's treatment. So don't be surprised when you get the chance to stick out your tongue at your practitioner.
THE BODY IS LIKE A HOLOGRAM
In Chinese medicine each part of the body can be representative of the whole. If you've ever seen a hologram broken into pieces, you know each tiny piece still contains the original whole picture. The same applies to the human body. So the ear, or hand, can be treated to effect any of the other organs in the body. Treating certain areas of the scalp can be very effective for Parkinson's tremors or stroke paralysis. Many areas of the body can be treated with acupuncture to achieve a balance to the whole.
