What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the modalities of Oriental Medicine. Fine needles are inserted into the body at specific points that have shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health conditions. In the past three decades, electromagnetic research has confirmed the existence and location of these points. Acupuncture stimulates your body's natural healing processes. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners believe that acupuncture activates the flow of energy forces that nourish tissues, stimulate blood flow and enhance the body's systems.
Does Acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are typically not much thicker than a strand of hair and the insertion is practically painless. In some points, you may not even feel the needle and in others, you may feel a slight tingling sensation. The area may feel itchy, heavy, warm or even numb. The sensation feels almost like the same sensation when you bump the tip of your elbow.
How many treatments will I need?
That depends on the severity of your condition. It is acute, maybe one treatment will do. If it is chronic, estimate 5-10 treatments. As a rule of thumb, estimate 4 treatments for every year that you had the condition. The person's constitutional health and how compliant the person is play a major role in the healing process. The practitioner may suggest diet and lifestyle changes as well as exercise and relaxations techniques. Much of the healing is dependent upon the patient.
Is Chinese Medicine safe?
When acupuncture is practiced by a licensed practitioner and herbs are prescribed by a certified herbalist, it is very safe. There are hardly any side effects and if a patient reports any side effects, the practitioner will see to it that these side effects are relieved. They will have to rebalance the body and not just treat the symptoms. In general the herbs used are put into a formula and not used by itself. A formula will consist about 6-12 herbs. Most of the herbs in the Chinese material medica have a very low level toxicity compared to even common over the counter Western drugs. The Acupuncture needles are all sterile, stainless steel and disposable.
Is there anything that I must do before treatment?
Before a treatment it is suggested that you eat something light, not a full meal. You should not go for a treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry, upset, or shortly after sex or drinking alcohol.
What can I expect after treatment?
Some people may feel immediate relief and some may feel only a slight diminish of their symptoms. Many people have reported a better night's rest and their ability to handle stress have improved. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to notice the symptoms diminish over the next couple of days. Generally, you should expect to feel better.
What is Traditional Oriental Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic approach which dates back to about 2500 years. It incorporates both Acupuncture and the use of Chinese Herbs. The focus is on the interaction of all bodily systems to restore the health and well being of the whole person--body, mind and spirit. This means to balance yin and yang, balance between the five phases, balance between the viscera and bowels, and the balance between qi, blood, and bodily fluids. Some of the physical benefits of acupuncture include pain reduction, restored health from a recent or long-standing illness, faster recovery from injuries, decreased symptoms of stress, strengthened immune system function and improved circulation to name some.
How do the Chinese medical practitioner determine what is out of balance?
The Chinese medical practitioner determines what is out of balance in the body by employing the four basic examinations. The first is questioning about one's signs and symptoms and taking into account the whole person health and family history. The second is by visually inspecting one's face, body and especially the tongue. The concentration is placed on the coating, color and any demarcations on the tongue. The third is by listening to one's voice and the sound of one's breathing as well as any odors emanating from their body or excretions. The fourth method is by palpation. They palpate various parts of the body and also take pulses on both sides of the wrists. Incorporating all four of these methods, the practitioner can determine the pattern of disharmony and rebalance the body.
How are rebalancing accomplished and what methods are used?
If the body has too much of something, where it may be heat or stuck energy, through the insertion of fine, thin, sterile stainless steel needles in selective points, the practitioner is able to move that energy or release the heat. Vice versa, if the body is deficient, where it may be cold or does not have good blood circulation, the practitioner can tonify the body through the same method. Acupuncture as well as moxibustion or herbs may be employed. In addition, Chinese practitioners may also used Tuina massage and they may prescribe preventative exercises like Tai Chi or Qi Gong. A strong emphasis on diet and lifestyle is also discussed. If the body has too much of something, where it may be heat or stuck energy, through the insertion of fine, thin, sterile stainless steel needles in selective points, the practitioner is able to move that energy or release the heat. Vice versa, if the body is deficient, where it may be cold or does not have good blood circulation, the practitioner can tonify the body through the same method. Acupuncture as well as moxibustion or herbs may be employed. In addition, Chinese practitioners may also used Tuina massage and they may prescribe preventative exercises like Tai Chi or Qi Gong. A strong emphasis on diet and lifestyle is also discussed.
What is Chinese herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine is the main modality in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is the world's oldest continually practiced, professional medicine. Its written history stretches back to over 2500 years and its practice is undoubtly much older than that. Chinese herbal medicine is quickly establishing itself as one of the most popular and effective alternative therapies in the West.