| Frequently Asked Questions | ||
• Why use Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine? • What are the limits of Oriental Medicine? • How can I evaluate an acupuncture practitioner? • What should I expect on a first visit? • How deep are the needles inserted? • How many treatments will I need? • Is there anything I need to do before receiving an acupuncture treatment? • What conditions are treatable by Acupunture and Oriental Medicine? • Is there anything I need to do while receiving acupuncture?
What is the history? Traditional acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese theories of the flow of Qi (Energy) and Xue (Blood) through distinct meridians or pathways that cover the body somewhat like the nerves and blood vessels. Acupuncture is intended to promote health and alleviate pain and suffering. The method by which this is accomplished has been time tested over thousands of years and continues to be validated today. An acupuncturist views health and sickness in terms of the concepts of “vital energy,” “energetic balance” and “energetic imbalance.” According to ancient theory, acupuncture allows Qi to flow to areas where it is deficient and away from areas where it is excessive. In this way, acupuncture regulates and restores the harmonious energetic balance of the body. The Chinese have a saying, “There is no pain if there is free flow; if there is pain, there is no free flow.”
Several thousand years ago Chinese Physicians discovered that Qi, the vital life force or energy, circulates throughout the body along fourteen major channels. Twelve of these channels are duplicated on the left and right sides of the body. The other two major channels are located along the front and back midline of the body. In addition several extra channels also run through out the body. These channels are known as meridians. Meridians form a highly complex invisible network that transport and direct Qi to every part of the body from head to toe and skin to bones. You can think of it as the freeways and highways running through your body. Good health depends on the free flow of Qi or energy throughout the meridians. Over centuries of trial and error and meticulous observation, the Chinese accurately mapped the locations of the meridians and identified hundreds of specific points along these pathways where Qi can be accessed and manipulated. These points are known as acupuncture points or acupoints. One English translation of the word Qi means energy and though Qi is invisible, its presence becomes especially apparent in the workings of the organs and organ systems of the body. The Chinese view Qi as powering a function as well as see it as inseparable from that function. It's as though there's no Qi without function and no function without Qi. Qi is also known as the life force. Since the total absence of Qi is death, obviously one's good health depends on a balanced distribution of Qi throughout the meridian network. This network influences the organs and the organ systems: skeletal, muscular, immune, lymphatic, endocrine, circulatory, digestive, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, integumentary, and nervous. When Qi flows smoothly and harmoniously throughout the meridians each organ system and organ interacts with and affects all of the other systems and organs which in turn are interdependent, interrelated, and integrated. When Qi is blocked at a point along a meridian, you can think of it as a car wreck on the freeway causing a huge traffic jam. Traffic backs up and eventually comes to a complete stop. And access ramps are blocked until the traffic is cleared. Once traffic is cleared, one lane begins to open and move until eventually all lanes of the highway have resumed full speed and flow. You can think of the needle insertion into an acupuncture point as that wrecker or traffic cop who unblocked the flow of traffic thus allowing the free flow of Qi to resume throughout the body. How does acupuncture work? What are the limits of Oriental Medicine? In general, Western medical doctors best handle acute life-threatening conditions. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine often benefits routine health problems and chronic conditions for which drug therapy and surgery have not been effective. How can I evaluate an acupuncture practitioner? Ask the practitioner to explain the differences between Oriental Medicine and Western Medicine in language you can understand. Oriental Medicine has its limitations just as Western Medicine does. Look for practitioners who know their limitations and have referral networks to take care of health issues they cannot address. Ask about their previous experience with conditions similar to your own. Although it is difficult to forecast response to treatments, ask about the signs and changes that the practitioner would look for to confirm that your treatment is progressing well. What should I expect on a first visit? What is treatment like? Is it safe? Does it hurt? If the Acupuncturist has obtained the correct stimulus of the needle and made contact with the Qi (energy), the patient should feel some tingling, or electric sensation either around the needle or traveling up or down the affected meridian, or energy pathway. In any case, if you experience any discomfort, it is usually mild. Anything beyond a mild discomfort should be brought to the attention of the practitioner, who can make adjustments. All these sensations usually subside once the needles are removed. Patients who have experienced inoculations or other injections from a hypodermic needle are sometimes fearful that acupuncture treatments will be as painful. However, this is not the case. Hypodermic needles are stiff, hollow and thick for forcing liquid into the flesh, which is always uncomfortable and frequently painful. Acupuncture needles are flexible and fine, about the size of a strand of human hair. When skillfully inserted by the Acupuncturist the slender needle produces little or no sensation. How deep are the needles inserted? Are the needles clean? How many treatments will I need? Is there anything I need to do before receiving an acupuncture treatment?
What conditions are treatable by Acupunture and Oriental Medicine? Chinese Medicine sees all illness as a process of energetic disharmony which Acupuncture can help re-establish. There are no disorders for which this form of treatment is inappropriate. The World Health Organization and NIH have recommended acupuncture for a wide variety of ailments and diseases. A few examples are: INFECTIONS: Colds and flus, bronchitis, hepatitis SKIN: eczema, acne, herpes, hives, rashes, psoriasis, shingles MENTAL, EMOTIONAL: anxiety, stress, depression, insomnia, ADD EYES, EARS, NOSE, THROAT: sore throat, cough, tinnitus, ringing in the ears, earaches, allergies, poor eyesight, dry/red/watery eyes, sinus infection, dizziness, vertigo, hay fever INTERNAL MEDICINE: compromised immune system, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, asthma, thyroid conditions, gas, bloating, hypoglycemia, ulcers, hemorrhoids, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, diabetes, colitis, diverticulitis, edema, organ disorders (liver, gall bladder, kidney, lungs, stomach, spleen, bladder, intestines, heart), chemical and drug sensitivities, syndromes associated with cancer and chemotherapy MUSCLES, NERVES & BONES: arthritis, sciatica, headaches, musculoskeletal pain patterns (back, neck, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle), joint pain, numbness or cramping, tendonitis, stiff neck, Bell's Palsy, polio, stroke, neuralgia, sprains/strains, trigeminal neuralgia, bursitis, cerebral palsy, carpal tunnel, injuries, whiplash, nervous disorders REPRODUCTIVE: premenstrual syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease, irregular periods and cramps, vaginitis, infertility, impotence, prostate, morning sickness, gynecological dysfunctions, hot flashes, night sweats ADDICTIONS: drugs, alcohol, food, stop smoking, weight loss Is there anything I need to do while receiving acupuncture?
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