ACUPUNCTURE

What is Acupuncture

Acupuncture works by stimulating the body`s own healing abilities. The fine hair-thin needles do not inject anything into the body. Instead, the healing chemistry of the body is augmented, directed, and generally made more competent to manage health problems. Acupuncture is safe because it relies on the androgenous (an-drog-ge-nes) body chemistry. As a result, the side effects that one commonly encounters when taking drugs are not produced. Modern medical research is only beginning to unravel the biochemical pathways which acupuncture employs. Enough practical experience and knowledge of acupuncture`s benefits has accumulated, however, that now several leading medical centers routinely offer it, particularly in the treatment of chronic pain. The Mayo Clinic has had an acupuncture service since 1975, and the World Health Organization of the United Nations currently lists 47 different illnesses that may be effectively treated with acupuncture. Although part of a system of traditional health care for body and mind which dates back three thousand years, acupuncture today is at the forefront of modern medical research and practice. Some treatable conditions include: migraines (my-grains), asthma (as-ma), bursitis (burr-sitis), tendinitis (tendin-itis), menstrual pain, weight loss, trigeminal (tri-jem-e-n-l) neuralgia (noo-ral-ja), stroke rehabilitation, back pain/sciatica (si-at-I-ka), stress-related illness, duodenal (doo-e-de-nal) ulcers, arthritic pain, sports injuries.

What Does Acupuncture Do

Just a tune-up keeps an automobile in good running order. Acupuncture can maintain health and prevent illness and disability. These were the goals of ancient Oriental medicine. Physicians of the Court were payed only as long as their patient stayed well. To this end, they advised their patients not only on proper nutrition and adequate exercise, but also on the importance of their mental attitudes. Depression, a lack of one`s usual level of energy - not sick, but definitely not up to par, if allowed to persist, can often result in actual illness. When pre-clinical symptoms are properly treated, the onset of illness can be avoided. Aging, physical deterioration and eventual death are inevitable, following the laws of nature. It is possible, however, to prevent early and unnecessary deterioration.

How Does Acupuncture Work

Chinese medical theory holds that a vital life energy circulates through the human body by way of channels called meridians. When this flow of energy is smooth and unobstructed, good health is the result. However, if for any reason, this flow is blocked. Then ailments and disease occur. The function of acupuncture is to restore balance in the body so the vital life energy can flow.

Is Acupuncture Painful

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine and their insertion is often not even felt. Some persons have more skin sensitivity than others and some points are more sensitive to treat than others. Most people, however, say the treatments are not at all painful. Once the needles are in place, the patient can expect to feel a dull sensation, a sense of warmth, or sometimes even a slight flow of energy up and down from the point. Deep relaxation during treatment is the most common report of patients.

What Aspects of Illness Can be Treated by Acupuncture

Acupuncture is perhaps best known for its efficiency in relieving pain. Modern medical research attributes this in part to acupuncture`s power to increase the body`s level of endorphin (en-dor-fin) in the bloodstream. Acupuncture stimulates the body to produce its own morphine-like substance to alleviate pain. Nerve impulses are normalized and balanced because of the interconnection of the acupuncture points and the central nervous systems, thus suppressing pain. To think of acupuncture only in terms of relieving pain is to take too narrow a view of its potential uses, and to overlook its successes in the treatment of organic and stress-related disorders. Acupuncture can affect any disease or disorder as long as the body is functioning and no organ has been destroyed. Obviously it cannot heal a broken bone. Modern surgery is indeed a miracle, offering us skin grafts, plastic joints, and artificial valves and limbs when the originals have been irreparably damaged. However, it is difficult for human beings to find spare parts and even when they are available, the body often rejects them. Acupuncture, on the other hand, works to improve the quality and function of the organs we still have. Experiential evidence points to acupuncture`s ability to alleviate the symptoms common to organic disorders by strengthening the body`s natural resistance and its immune systems. After acupuncture treatment, there is an increase in the levels of white blood cells and increase in the levels of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Globulins (glow-bu-lins). It is believed that Alpha and Beta Globulins help white blood cells to fight infection. Gamma Globulins are associated with the production of immune antibodies.

Guidelines for Selecting an Acupuncturist

Is the acupuncturist well recommended?: If you know someone who has received Acupuncture, ask him/her about his/her experience with a practitioner. In the United States there are also various organizations that maintain referral lists. You might try contacting The National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance at (206) 524-3511 or The National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists at (202) 262-1404. The Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Columbia, Maryland also maintains an alumni list for referrals. Their number is (410) 997-4888.

Is the acupuncturist certified?: A certificate of course completion from an accredited institution should be posted in the practitioner`s office. In some states, acupuncturists may be registered or licensed , as required by that state`s law. The practitioner may also hold national certification from the NCCA the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists.

Does the acupuncturist take pulses?: In traditional, or holistic acupuncture, a special system of pulse-taking is a critical technique used to determine the course of treatment and the response to treatment.

Are clean techniques used?: Most practitioners in the United States use disposable needles. If disposable needles are not used, you should ask about the sterilization process.

Does the acupuncturist make large promises?: Every individual responds to treatment differently. Be wary of any practitioner that guarantees relief.

Does the acupuncturist give you the time you need?: There should be extended conversation before the acupuncturist begins treating you. You should always feel comfortable asking questions.

Acupuncture Treatment for Substance Abuse

Acupuncture helps people recover from drugs and alcohol problems. It is used in clinics throughout the United States. Acupuncture can decrease cravings for drugs and alcohol, reduce withdrawal symptoms, relieve tension, and help people relax. Acupuncture treatments, taken enough times, clear the mind, build energy, and give a sense of well being. According to Chinese tradition, placing acupuncture needles in the ear affect specific organs such as the liver and kidneys. Western science has confirmed that acupuncture treatments change levels of chemicals in the body and act on the nervous system. Acupuncture itself is not a substitute for therapy but it used in addition to counseling and self-help programs.

How Acupuncture Treatment for Substance Abuse Began

One day in the early 1970`s, H.L. Wen, M.D., then the only neurosurgeon in all of South China and Hong Kong, was preparing to use electro-acupuncture as surgical analgesia and the patient, who happened to be experiencing withdrawal symptoms from opium at the time, reported his symptoms had disappeared. Wen canceled the surgery and scouted the hospital for other patients in withdrawal. He gave his pre-op procedure to them and their symptoms also ceased. Acupuncture for substance abuse was born.

Why Acupuncture for Detox

It reduces physical symptoms of withdrawal, relieves depression, anxiety, and insomnia, profoundly relieves withdrawal symptoms including cravings, body aches, headache, nausea, sweating, muscle cramping, etc. The acupuncture detoxification is an ideal partner with other programs. It alleviates withdrawal symptoms so mental and physical stability are quickly achieved. This gives a new level of comfort allowing for more effective counseling. Twelve Step program participation, or participation in any other treatment program is considered important to sobriety. In addition, acupuncture, can be used safely with any other health condition, does not utilize other abusable, addictive drugs for treatment, can be effectively done on an outpatient basis, and is successfully used as a drug detoxification method at over 100 different drug treatment clinics in the United States. It`s also used successfully for this purpose in at least 25 other countries.

Acupuncture Treatment

Five tiny needles are placed in each ear, and then the client rests quietly for 45 minutes. This is a good time to relax, meditate, or think about changes to be made in your life. In detoxification treatment, points in the ear correspond to specific organs including the lungs, liver, kidneys, and nervous system. One of the points is for relaxation. The treatment triggers the release of natural body chemicals, including endorphin (en-dor-fin), which help reduce cravings for drugs, ease withdrawal symptoms, and increases relaxation.

How Will I Feel During the Treatment

Once the needles have been placed, your ears may tingle or feel warm. Some people even fall asleep. These are normal responses. Some people say they feel very relaxed when they are having the treatment, others don`t feel much at all. Even if you don`t feel much you are still getting the benefit of the treatment. Acupuncture is most effective after a series of treatments over a period of time.

The Detoxification Process

During detoxification, your body filters out the toxins that you have been storing up. Blood circulation begins to improve. Sometimes during the detoxification period you may feel achy, not sleep well, be cranky, or even have drug dreams. Please let the acupuncturist know if you have any of these symptoms so that additional acupuncture points can be added to your treatment.

How to Receive Maximum Benefit From Acupuncture

Treatment time should be used to sit quietly, relax and reflect, or meditate. Do not smoke cigarettes or drink coffee in the half hour before and after treatment. Let the acupuncturist know if you have any health problems. Get daily acupuncture treatments for the first two weeks, then three treatments a week for several weeks, then two treatments per week for several additional weeks. Final treatments should be once a week. If relapse occurs or something stressful happens in your life, then additional treatments are recommended.

What is Acupuncture

Acupuncture is simply the use of needles to stimulate specially designated points on the body. The Chinese began using acupuncture over 2000 years ago, and it has been the subject of continuous study and clinical experience since that time. Chinese Medicine is holistic; that is, it treats the whole person rather than the symptoms out of the context of the individual. Traditional acupuncture, therefore, is a complex system of examination, diagnosis, and treatment. It seeks to alleviate symptoms and pain by assisting individuals to find balance in their lives. Preventive maintenance is central to the philosophy of Chinese Medicine and this extends to what we generally consider our mental health.

What Can I Expect When Visiting an Acupuncturist?

There are many different styles of acupuncture. Regardless of the style practiced, the first visit should help your practitioner understand your reasons for seeking acupuncture treatment and assess the underlying imbalances leading to your symptoms. This session, the T.D., or Traditional Diagnosis, begins with an interview which includes both your medical and personal history, and continues with a physical examination and consultation. Depending on your practitioner, you may or may not receive a treatment at the time of your first visit. he length and frequency of subsequent visits will vary depending on your practitioner and your response to treatment. The treatments will generally not involve more than six to twelve needles, and may also include a related technique called moxibustion(mak-si-bus-chen). You`ll be seen weekly for six to eight weeks so that both you and your practitioner can closely follow your response to treatment.

What About the Needles - Do They Hurt

First of all, the needles used to stimulate acupuncture points have no resemblance to hypodermic syringes. Acupuncture needles are very slender, about the thickness of two human hairs. Many practitioners now use only stainless steel, pre-sterilized, disposable needles which are used once and then discarded. Most insertions are just beneath the skin`s surface. The sensations vary from person to person. Usually a dull, momentary ache or tingling is felt.

What is the Relationship Between Acupuncture and Conventional Medical Care

While acupuncture is concerned with the whole person and addresses itself to many levels of functioning, it is also a particular form of treatment with its own limitations. It needs to be used in conjunction with health-promoting attitudes and behaviors. Responsible acupuncturists cooperate with other health care professionals and do not recommend altering medications or other therapies without consulting a patient`s personal physician or provider.

What is Sports Acupuncture

Acupuncture/Oriental Medicine is a holistic medical system that is particularly effective for the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal (mus-ke-lo-skeletal) disorders, making it an ideal treatment for recreational and professional athletes. Acupuncture releases tension in the muscles and connective tissue so that the nervous, circulatory, and lymphatic (lym-fatic) systems are able to function more effectively. Numerous sports figures, including Carl Lewis, Kimiko Date, Jim McMahon, and Charles Barkley, have used acupuncture to enhance training and performance, accelerate healing, and manage pain.

How Are Internal Disorders Treated

Customized herbal formulations help to strengthen, detoxify, and balance the organs, glands, and immune system. For the athlete, herbs can help increase endurance, reduce "down time," and assist the body to work at its optimal level. Common clinical disorders treated include: digestive, gynecological, respiratory, circulation, immune, skin, allergic, emotional.

What is Treatment Like

Acupuncture is usually painless. Only the width of a thick hair, acupuncture needles are inserted at specific points on the body. The needles are sterile and disposed of after each use. Treatments last 30-60 minutes and are often prescribed weekly or biweekly. Herbal and homeopathic medicines may also be used when indicated. Since Oriental Medicine encourages patient participation in the healing process, dietary and lifestyle habits will be discussed.

Work Related Injuries

According to Workman`s Compensation Law, an acupuncturist is a primary health care provider. This means that an acupuncturist can be your treating physician or that another treating physician, such as a medical doctor or chiropractor, can refer you to an acupuncturist for treatment. Work-related injuries respond well to acupuncture: low back pain, neck and shoulder, elbow, hand, knee, or foot injuries, repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis; Even chemical toxic poisoning and environmental illnesses respond well. Acupuncture also works well right along with drug therapy, physical therapy, or chiropractic. It can help the patient to avoid using drugs or to minimize their use or their side effects. Acupuncture often works when other types of health care fail. In many cases operations can be averted through acupuncture treatments. If you are dissatisfied with your progress, you have the right to choose an acupuncturist as your treating physician after 30 days from the day you reported your injury. Your present treating physician may not be familiar with acupuncture and not know that it may be able to help. Sometimes doctors who do not know what acupuncture can do will tell their patients that there is nothing that can be done to help them or that acupuncture will not work. Often acupuncture can help in these circumstances. One option is to see an acupuncturist on your own to see if you have a favorable response. If you respond well, your doctor will be likely to refer you to acupuncture. Of not, you have the option of choosing an acupuncturist as your treating physician.

Allergies

An allergy is an adverse immune system reaction to a substance most people find harmless. There are two types of allergies: those caused by environmental factors, such as dust, pollens, dust mites, chemicals, and perfumes, and those caused by foods, such as wheat, milk, shellfish, chocolate, food additives, coffee, and tomatoes. Allergies not only manifest as stuffy nose, watery eyes, and sneezing, but can cause or contribute to backaches, joint pain, headaches, fatigue, diabetes, edema, gastrointestinal disorders, glaucoma, kidney problems, weight gain, heart palpitations, depression, and learning disorders. We often crave the foods we are allergic to. Do you crave breads, sugary foods, milk, chocolate, tea, or coffee? If so, you may be allergic to them. One primary cause of allergies is an impaired immune system. The immune system is often impaired or over-burdened by stress, pollution, over-reliance on antibiotics, and the use of steroids - especially birth control pills. Other causes of food allergies are pesticides and preservatives in the food, repetitive diets, nutritional deficiencies, or an adrenal gland exhausted from stress. Acupuncture can help the body to detoxify the body, strengthen the immune system and the adrenal gland, so that the body no longer has an allergic response.

Low Back Pain

Acupuncture responds very well to low back pain from many causes such as, a slipped disc, muscle spasms, disintegrating discs, herniated discs, arthritis, kidney disease, digestive problems, hormonal imbalances in women during their periods, stress-related or residual pain following an operation. Whatever the cause of the low back pain, it is likely that acupuncture will be able to help. Acupuncture often works when other methods fail. It is not uncommon for back surgery to be prevented. Acupuncture is a good supplement to other ongoing medical practices such as chiropractic, physical therapy, and drug therapy. So, the acupuncturist can work right along with your doctor. Most insurance companies pay for acupuncture, including companies for work-related injuries and auto accidents.

Stress

Research is showing that stress is a major factor in most disease processes and chronic health conditions. If you have a lot of stress over a long period of time you are more likely to get cancer, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, allergies, digestive problems, reproductive problems, respiratory problems, sore muscles, headaches, and on and on. Some ways to minimize the effects of stress are: see them as challenges, maintain a positive attitude, regular, moderate exercise, relaxing activities such as yoga, Tai Chi, or meditation, cultivate a network of friends you are close to and can count on, eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains, minimizing meat - organically grown food preferably. From the acupuncture point of view, we have adverse reactions to stress because our energy system and organ functions are out of balance. For instance, according to Chinese Medicine, one of the functions of the liver is to handle stress. When the liver energy or meridian is out of balance, or blocked, it is more difficult to deal with stress. There is a tendency to be irritable, have headaches, have tight neck and shoulder muscles. When the liver energy is balanced, the feelings of irritability are replaced by a sense of confidence and peace of mind and the muscles are more relaxed. Interpersonal relations and unresolved feelings can be a source of stress. In Chinese acupuncture anger, resentment, frustration, are present when the liver is out of balance, worry is present when the spleen energy is out of balance, anxiety is present when the heart energy is out of balance, fear is present when the kidney is out of balance. Traumatic events can leave a person chronically stressed. In these cases, often the adrenal gland is exhausted. When the bodily energy is balanced with acupuncture, peace of mind is restored.

Pain Control

Pain is a very common problem caused by a variety of reasons. In treating pain, it is broken down into two categories, acute and chronic. Acute pain is usually related to a recent accident or injury, while chronic pain involves long-term pain such as bad back, migraines, arthritis, and the like. Acupuncture treatment for pain is varied and based largely on what is causing their suffering. Available treatments include acupuncture along selected meridian points, which are energy pathways throughout the body, along with moxibustion, massage and Chinese herbs.

Internal Disorders

Acupuncture is effective not only for pain control, but also for some internal medical problems. Those include asthma, bronchitis, ulcers, diarrhea, PMS, hypertension, sinus, and allergies. More than 50 different types of disease are effectively treated with acupuncture. Treatments vary depending on the medical condition. Based on the patient`s symptoms and physical condition, herbs and other natural therapies such as acupressure and massage may be combined with acupuncture to achieve desired results.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a recently discovered and widely diagnosed problem often caused by stress, depression, or infection from bacteria or virus such as Epstein Barre Virus. Lesser known causes are cardia and Lyme Berylliosis. Patients suffering CFS often have deficiencies in their immune system. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes CFS to be caused by a "Chi" deficiency. Chi, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is defined as vital energy. Those suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome often have a weakness in their internal organs which can be effectively treated by acupuncture and herbs. For those suffering from an immune deficiency, the use of acupuncture and herbs can enhance the body`s immunity.

Health and Prevention

Prevention of disease is as important as treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes the human body must be kept in relative balance. When out of balance, our bodies become ill. So proper maintenance is crucial to good health. While exercise and proper diet can help keep the body in balance, acupuncture along with Chinese massage, Chinese herbs such as tamous and jingsen, along with breathing exercises such as Tai Chi are all excellent ways to maintain good health.

Chinese Medicine Treatments for Women

Traditional Oriental Medicine (acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other therapies) is rapidly growing in acceptance in the West simply because it works. Its strongest feature is probably its ability to treat chronic conditions for which conventional medicine has no answers, no treatments, and no relief, other than harsh chemicals with potentially unpleasant side effects. Traditional Oriental Medicine treats women`s health very differently from conventional Western medicine. This article describes some typical problems that women have treated with Oriental medicine. Traditional Oriental Medicine is based on the law of Yin and Yang. This law teaches that health only comes from a balance between these two fundamental principles. In the same way that American culture is struggling to find equality between the sexes, Chinese culture has, for thousands of years, understood that health only comes about after the masculine (Yang) and feminine (Yin) principles within ourselves are balanced and working in harmony. Applying the law of Yin and Yang socially is the basis for men`s and women`s groups in our culture. Oriental medicine seeks to insure health through this same concept as applied to one`s bodily functions.

Menopause

Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches Menopause as a variety of syndromes. All of them have been successfully treated by acupuncture and herbal medicine. The most typical cause for the symptoms associated with menopause is the slowing of the flow of "Yin." When applied to the health of the physical body, this is the Chinese concept of the hydration or the cooling system within the body. Typical symptoms of this deficiency of Yin includes hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia, and heart palpitations. Sometimes, instead if the Yin level dropping down, it is the Yang that becomes deficient. The Yang in the body represents the warming function of the cells, their metabolism and other active processes. When the Yang is deficient, symptoms include: water retention, edema, weight gain, indigestion, hyper tension, and a raised cholesterol level. Left untreated, Yin or Yang deficiency can lead to Qi deficiency. Qi is pronounced "chee." It`s the Chinese word for internal energy. Symptoms of a Qi deficiency can include: feeling "run-down," fatigue, decreased sex drive, dry vagina, cold extremities, lower back pain, weakened knees and incontinence. In China, maturity is highly revered, perhaps that is why they call the time after menopause to be a women`s "second spring." It is this reverence for the elder years that Oriental herbal therapies have evolved to their current beneficial status. Menopause can be made much smoother through Chinese herbal therapy. Prognosis: Very good. Although the symptoms associated with "the change" are obviously transitory, Oriental medicine has helped women for thousands of years to enjoy their second spring without any growing pains of the first. It is interesting to note that many women, after menopause, because of the slowing of the flow of "Yin," discover their Yang principle and go on to achieve, for the first time in their lives, success in business and other areas which have been traditionally dominated by men and their prominent "Yang" principle. In the same way, men, after age fifty or so, often find time to discover their "Yin" or feminine principle and develop a more refined sense of compassion and nurturing in life.

Pre-menstrual Syndrome

Emotional and/or physical discomfort occurring before or after the period. According to Oriental medical theory, there are mainly two organs that regulate menstruation. These are the liver and the spleen. The liver and spleen in Oriental medical theory are very different than the two organs described in Western medical science. The liver initiates the menstrual cycle and the spleen follows through. Where there is disharmony in the liver, symptoms include the emotional swings that we often associate with PMS such as: depression, sadness, irritability, crying, and propensity to outbursts of anger. When the problem comes from the spleen, a woman will likely experience clumsiness, distention of the abdomen and breasts, and insomnia. Doctors of Oriental medicine see emotional strain, overwork, too much sexual activity, and dietary problems to be the causes for PMS. Diet from the Chinese perspective doesn`t talk about the lack of nutrients, but rather excessive amounts of food that aggravate the body`s systems. Foods that are the most likely to lead to PMS include an excessive intake of dairy products and greasy or fried foods. Prognosis: Both acupuncture and herbs give excellent results for PMS. As with all menstrual problems. It will take a minimum of three menstrual periods to regulate the cycle completely, although some improvement can often be seen after the first month.

Dysmenorrhea

Pain occurring before, during, or after menstruation. This pain often occurs in the lower abdomen or lower back. Associated Western conditions include; mittelschmerz, endometriosis, uterine fibroid and myoma from the Chinese point of view, this comes from either lack of "blood" in the body (this approximates anemia in Western terms, though it has other meanings as well), or stagnant Qi or blood. Stagnated Qi or blood can both effect and be effected by emotion. Stagnation makes you emotional, and emotions make you stagnant. Chinese Medicine seeks to free up the stagnant Qi and blood, nourish and increase the amount of blood in circulation blood, remove the pain and ease the emotions. Left untreated, stagnated Qi leads to stagnation of blood. This causes intermittent sharp pains in the abdomen, or what the West calls mittelschmerz. If the blood stagnation is allowed to slow the circulation of Qi or blood for a long time, a soft nodule can appear in the area. This is one way of describing endometriosis. Again, should the soft nodule go untreated and the stagnation in the body remain, in time it can become a harder nodule like a uterine fibroid. Should that nodule begin to grow more rapidly, it can become what the West calls myoma, or cancer. Pain tends to come from stagnated Qi or blood in Oriental medicine. At that stage it`s a simple matter of getting that Qi or blood moving again to remove that monthly pain, however, left untreated, other complications can appear. It isn`t the intent of this article to frighten anyone with the discomfort associated with menstruation, but it is a reminder that pain is nature`s way of reminding us to be aware of our body`s needs. Often times pain is simply a first alert to a problem that can be solved as by something as simple as expressing your emotions or feeling better understood.

Menorrhagia or Metrorrhagia

Excessive menstrual flow or spotting. The reasons for these conditions according to Chinese medical theory are numerous. They include Qi Stagnation due to emotional strain, and Qi deficiency due to a variety of situations including overwork, too much sexual activity, chronic illness, or childbirth. Another cause could be "heat" in the blood which would likely be associated with feelings of restlessness, fever, and constipation. One could even spot after the period because of a weakness in the spleen. Symptoms associated with spleen deficiency might include an abnormally low appetite, shortness of breath, and a pale complexion. In the case of excessive flow or spotting after the period, the treatment principle could range from wearing "shields" in the case of spotting that falls within normal limits to an aggressive treatment plan to re-balance all of the various organ systems involved with this condition. Traditional Chinese Medicine has been treating women for thousands of years. If you`ve been suffering for years, you owe it to yourself to research your alternatives. You`ve got options. All I really want to do is remind you that suffering need not be one of them.