What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a healing method approached by inserting fine needles into points to regulate body’s Qi (vital energy) in the channels & collaterals. It is an ancient medical art which started and has been practiced in China for over 2000 years, and still remains the primary source of medical treatment in China. Research has confirmed that acupuncture not only provides pain relief but also enables the body to use its own innate healing power in the treatment of many diseases.
What are the needles like?
Acupuncture needles are sterilized, single use and disposable. Many patients say acupuncture is painless. If your practitioner has obtained the correct stimulus, you should feel very relaxing treatment.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory of the free flow of Qi and blood through meridians or channels that cover the body, similar to nervous system or blood vessels. An acupuncturist will observe the patients symptoms and signs of disease and be able to locate the points on the body that will unblock the meridian and allow the free flow of Qi to continue. In this way, acupuncture regulates and restores the balance of the body. The western Bio-medical foundation is that the needles stimulate the points to bring the signals to the brain through peripheral nerves, then the brain regulates the body’s function through the nervous system and immune system, etc. It is similar to hitting different keys on the keyboard to let the computer work for you.
What is a treatment procedure?
You should plan one and a half hours for each “Acupuncture Treatment”, or 30 minutes for an “Herbal Consultation”. If you are a new patient, please come 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork. Eating approximately one hour before your acupuncture treatment is advised.
What to expect in an acupuncture treatment?
The practitioner will ask you questions about your general health condition and symptoms you may be experiencing. The practitioner will then feel your pulse and examine your tongue. Based on a clear diagnosis about your condition, the treatment plan may include acupuncture, acupressure, or herbal prescriptions and life style consultation related to your disease. During acupuncture treatment procedure, you may experience warmth, pressure, tingling feelings in the local area or along the meridians. These sensations are normally mild and subside quickly after insertion. Most patients experience a deep relaxation; many even fall asleep.
What should I know about my treatment plan?
Your practitioner will explain the nature of your problem and what treatment is recommended. The amount of treatment depends on the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. Your practitioner will explain to you the proposed treatment and tell you what other options are available to you.
What types of conditions are treated?
The World Health Organization recognizes the value of acupuncture treatment in a wide range of diseases, including:
Respiratory
Allergies:
When we wake up with itchy eyes, stuffed noses, and sneezing, we often blame allergies. Allergies are caused by an exaggerated immune response to harmless particles, like pollen (especially cedar pollen). These particles trigger the release of antibodies that attack the foreign particles, which causes symptoms that affect our respiratory systems. Western medicine tries to block this immune response, often causing side effects like drowsiness, suppressed immune systems, and reliance on drugs to control allergies. Traditional Chinese Medicine seeks to resolve the inbalance in the immune system, simultaneously strengthening it against harmful agents while lessening its reaction toward harmless allergens. At Acupuncture and Chinese Medical Center, we seek to find a compromise between eastern and western medicine. Your practitioner will ask you questions to help build up your immune system and solve the underlying deficiencies that may have caused your allergies.
Asthma
Asthma can be an annoying and persistant condition to live with, and some clinical trials have shown that acupuncture may improve asthma symptoms. Using a combination of both herbal supplements and acupuncture, many patients have reported reductions in severity and frequency of their asthma symptoms.
sinusitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, Common cold and
flu
Circulatory
Anemia, arteriosclerosis, hypertension
Gastrointestinal
Chronic diarrhea, indigestion, constipation, abdominal pain, colitis,
acid reflux
Gynecological
Infertility, irregular menstruation, PMS, menopause
Neurological
Headache, migraine, post-operative pain, stroke recovery, facial pain & palsy,
trigeminal neuralgia, dizziness & vertigo
Musculo-skeletal
Lower back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, general pain.
Urogenital
Stress incontinence, urinary tract infection, sexual dysfunction
Emotional
Neurosis, anxiety, insomnia, stress
Ear, Nose, Throat, Dental
Poor vision, tinnitus, deafness, ear infection, toothache, gum problems
Other Benefits
Immune disorders, addictions, ADHD, weight control, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, skin disorders.
What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Chinese herbal medicine is the main treatment method within Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is the world’s oldest, continually practiced professional medicine. Its history dates back over 5000 years. Chinese herbal medicine is based on an individualized pattern diagnosis as well as a disease diagnosis. The patient receives a custom written herbal prescription designed to treat their individual pattern as well as the symptom or disease.
How are Herbal medicines taken?
The most common method of taking herbal medicine is drinking a tea prepared by boiling the selected herbs. There are also herbal pills, tinctures, and powdered extracts.
Does herbal medicine have side effects?
Most of the components of herbal medicine have very low side effects. When they are prescribed according to a correct TCM pattern diagnosis, they should have very few, if any, side effects…only beneficial healing results. There are a few traditional Chinese herbs that have been found toxic through research and treatments stopped by the FDA. If you have any further questions, please discuss with your practitioners.
If you have any further questions that were not addressed in this web site, please discuss with your practitioners. You also can call to have a consultation by phone or in person.
For More information on Traditional Chinese Medicine, please visit
www.acupuncture.com
www.nccaom.org
www.who.int