Acupuncture

 

Acupuncture refers to the painless insertion of needles on human skin with the aim of stimulating the body. It is a precise science dealing with the processing, storage, distribution, and functioning of vital energy within the human organism and the relationship of this energy with the cosmos. It affects the circulation of energy within the human being on an extremely subtle level. The ancient Chinese physicians discovered that there is a subtle energy manifestation circulating throughout the organs and flesh that ultimately permeates every tissue and cell of the body. The name given to this energy is “chi” or “qi”, which has been translated as “vital energy” or “life force”. Human beings are the embodiment of all the energies of the universe, including the energies of the sun, moon, and stars as well as the various energies of the earth.

The energies of the human organism have distinct and established pathways, definite directions of flow and characteristic behavior as definite as any other circulation within the body, such as the circulation of blood and lymph through their respective systems. This claim has been validated in recent years by studies of the acupuncture meridians. The ancient physicians observed that illness often produced painful areas upon the skin, and that the pain would disappear when a cure was accomplished. They also noticed that stimulation or sedation of various points on the body would produce an effect on the functioning of the internal organs. Thus stimulating another point on the thumb would affect the lungs or throat.

The World Health Organization has cited more than forty conditions that acupuncture can treat, including addiction, asthma, common cold, ulcer, sciatica, migraine, paralysis, sinusitis, headache, depression, facial pain, neck pain, knee pain, lower back pain, arthritis, insomnia, diabetes, PMS, prostatitis, colitis, and urinary tract infections. Many studies show that acupuncture is effective in conditions ranging from environmental illness due to radiation, pesticide poisoning, and exposure to toxic compounds, and air pollution to infertility, menopause, and premature aging.

Some conditions respond dramatically to acupuncture. For instance, researchers have found it to be effective for a variety of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis conditions, bringing relief to 80 percent of those who suffer from arthritis. Some studies show that getting acupuncture during in vitro fertilization increased pregnancy rates by over 40 percent. Because acupuncture promotes homeostasis –the automatic self-regulating system of controls that maintains the internal environment of living things and regulates the balance between the internal and the external in the body – it can significantly increase your sense of well-being. Acupuncture should be an essential part of your health and wellness program.

Frequently asked questions

  • Question: “What type of problems can be treated with acupuncture?”

Answer: All types of problems have been treated with acupuncture in China for thousands of years, but we normally use acupuncture for now type problems so we can put the needles on you now and ask you “How is your problem NOW?” We usually use herbs to treat more chronic and internal type problems, but only your acupuncture physician can decide the best course of treatment for you.

  • Question: “How does acupuncture work?”

Answer: Acupuncture works by redirecting your body’s own natural energy. Once the energy is flowing properly again the pain will be gone and the natural healing process can begin. We use only single use, sterile, stainless steel needles, there are no chemicals on the needles and we do not use them to cut or block the nerve fibers.

  • Question: “How many acupuncture treatments will I need?”

Answer: Everybody is different, so the total number of acupuncture treatments can not be determined in advance. Only thing we can say for sure is, if you do not see some improvement after the 3rd treatment, it does not mean that acupuncture does not work, only, that for whatever reason, we are currently unable to treat your particular problem so go try a different acupuncture physician. It does not mean that acupuncture is not good for your problem. After the third week, your physician may decide to give your acupuncture points a short break to allow them to rest. If so, be sure to return at the time your physician instructs.

  • Question: “How do I get the best result from my acupuncture treatments?”

Answer: Return for acupuncture treatment every other day until your problem is completely gone. If you only get 1 or 2 treatments per week, it may take your whole life – you are just wasting your time and money. The best result for acupuncture is when you come in as soon as possible after an injury, in this case it may only take one or two treatments. Tell your physician all of your health complaints the very first visit. Avoid foods containing spicy or pungent flavors, any type of sesame product (meal or oil), and alcohol for 48hrs after each treatment.

  • Question: “Why do I need to avoid certain foods after my treatment?”

Answer: Because the warm feeling you can get from spicy foods or alcohol is good energy dispersing throughout your body. When we perform acupuncture, we are directing that same energy to go to a specific place and help your body heal itself. Therefore spicy and pungent foods erase our instructions to your body. Sesame products cause the same effects for some reason. There have been a few cases where fig products have caused a reversal of treatment as well, probably because the seeds are similar to sesame seeds.