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 ACUPUNCTURE For over 2,500 years of continuous use, people have used acupuncture as a safe, natural and painless way to improve fitness, health, and well-being. Now scientific research has discovered what people have known all along--Acupuncture Works!
Brief History Originating in China more than 5,000 years ago, acupuncture is part of the oldest continually practiced medical system in the world, and one of the most commonly used medical procedures even today. Outside of China, in other parts of Asia, Europe, and South America acupuncture has been used for about 200 years. In the U. S. acupuncture has been available since 1972 when an aide of President Nixon was successfully treated in China. All told, acupuncture is used by nearly one-third of the world as a primary health care system and many more as an adjuvant therapy.  What is Acupuncture?Acupuncture is an Oriental method of treating many medical problems by inserting fine needles into the body at specific points shown to be effective in preventing and treating many health concerns. The Chinese have mapped these points over a period of at least three thousand years. Recently, electromagnetic research has confirmed their locations. Principles of Treatment The fundamental principles of acupuncture are to treat the person as an integrated whole in body, mind, and spirit, and to remedy the root cause of illness and disease, not only the symptoms. Acupuncture is a component of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) system of medicine. As such, a diagnosis based on TCM is generally made before the acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture has been scientifically proven to be an effective way to treat disease. As with any healing modality, be it conventional western medicine or a complementary system such as acupuncture, a positive mental outlook and lifestyle can reinforce the effects of treatment, just as a negative attitude or lifestyle can hinder healing. An extremely wide range of health issues can benefit from acupuncture, since it works by promoting the body's natural ability to heal. Practitioners around the world treat a wide array of acute and chronic disorders. To look for internet articles on specific diseases, search the keyword "acupuncture" at the National Institutes of Health (www.nih.gov). The NIH officially endorses acupuncture treatments, especially in the area of pain management. Acupuncture's Growth in the U.S. Although some people have been skeptical about acupuncture, it has gained increasing acceptance as more and more people have been treated and helped by it. The fact that acupuncture benefits so many people who have not been helped by conventional medical methods is indicative of its healthcare potential in this country. Many different health problems can benefit from acupuncture, sometimes with just a few treatments. "Are There Any Side-Effects?" One of the great advantages of acupuncture is the absence of significant side effects associated with its use. This is in contrast to many potent Western pharmaceutical drugs in which severe side effects in certain cases may be worse than the disease being treated. "What are the Needles Like?" Acupuncture needles are extremely fine and flexible; very different from the thick hollow hypodermic needles used in giving injections (in fact, an acupuncture needle could fit inside a hypodermic needle with room to spare). In my practice, I use only the finest-quality stainless steel disposable needles. Each needle comes packaged and pre-sterilized with ethylene oxide gas. New needles are used with every visit and are disposed of immediately following each treatment into a biohazard-marked container. I follow universal precautions to protect my patients and myself. "How Does Acupuncture Work?" Asian tradition offers one set of explanations, while Western medical science offers another. Each perspective expresses part of a broader truth. In the past 30 years, from a Western perspective, scientific research on acupuncture has grown substantially, both in Asia and at North American and European universities. For example, electromagnetic research has confirmed that the traditional mapping of acupuncture point locations is accurate. And according to recent research, stimulating acupuncture points produces the following key results: Even though the scientific findings are conclusive, the physiological mechanisms of acupuncture are not well understood. HealthWorld Online (www.healthy.net) has basic information on the above theories, while WebMD (my.webmd.com) has a straightforward article on acupuncture for the mainstream audience. The traditional Asian answer is that acupuncture releases blockages in the flow of vital energy pathways of the body. Acupuncture creates movement in the body; this flow of vital energy and blood throughout the body is essential for health and to remedy disease. Several concepts, including yin-yang theory, Qi and Blood flow, and the meridian system, are fundamental to the understanding of Chinese Medicine. If you'd like to explore these principles, I'd recommend starting with articles from the acupuncture pages at HealthWorld Online (www.healthy.net/clinic/therapy/acupuncture). Based on my own experience, both clinically and also as a qigong practitioner and teacher -- I believe that the qi movement during tai chi, qigong, yoga, and acupuncture works by bringing the body toward homeostasis, or a state of physiological equilibrium. Then body heals itself, and acupuncture treatments aim it in the right direction. "Do I Have to Believe in Acupuncture for it to Work?" Acupuncture has been used successfully to treat children and animals, neither of whom have preconceived beliefs about the effectiveness of acupuncture. As with any healing modality, be it conventional western medicine or a complementary system such as acupuncture, a positive mental outlook and lifestyle can reinforce the effects of treatment, just as a negative attitude or lifestyle can hinder healing. For those who might have missed it, the New York Times ran a front page story about the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) conclusion "that there is clear evidence" that acupuncture is an effective treatment for many ailments, including chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, nausea from pregnancy, and dental pain. The NIH also added that acupuncture is "an acceptable alternative" to conventional treatments for stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and asthma. That's quite a list for something dismissed as superstitious folk medicine just a few years ago!  "Are There Differences Between Acupuncture Done by Oriental Practitioners and Western Doctors?"Yes, there are differences. Each practitioner typically uses specific techniques which make them unique to other acupuncturists. If you have tried acupuncture before and... a) it didn't achieve the results you were hoping for or- b) you didn't like it, I would still recommend that you try another acupuncturist's treatment (from my experience of treating many people who were improperly treated by other so-called acupuncturists). Likewise, if my treatment doesn't work for you, it doesn't mean that another acupuncturist's approach won't be successful. If you have had many treatments with two or three different acupuncturists and your problem continues, you may want to try a different treatment modality. It would also be prudent to consult a physician (preferably a specialist) to make sure there is no serious illness behind your complaint. In addition to technique, there are notable differences between acupuncture done by traditional Oriental Medicine practitioners and western doctors. For example, traditional Chinese (or Oriental) acupuncture is much more prevention and wellness-oriented while medical (or Western) acupuncture tends to treat only symptoms. The traditional Asian placement of the needles is guided by pulse diagnosis, a very sophisticated art that isn't practiced at all in Western medicine. Also, in Chinese Medicine, acupuncture comes as part of a package of herbal medicine and dietary adjustment, tailored to the maintenance of good health and the prevention of disease. Finally, the education and clinical training of licensed/board credentialed acupuncturists is also very different from their medical counterparts. Medical doctors require no formal training to advertise themselves as acupuncturists. On the other hand, while traditionally trained acupuncturists study basic life, health and medical sciences, the emphasis of their professional curriculum is on a proven 3,000 year old self-contained holistic system of viewing health and the human body known as Traditional Chinese Medicine. "What Does an Acupuncture Treatment Feel Like?" Most people are pleased to find that acupuncture treatments are not uncomfortable, and in fact almost pain free, very relaxing and deeply healing. If you've never experienced it, you may find that the treatment experience can range from a rush of physical and emotional feelings to a very calming and soothing sensation. First, the acupuncturist gently inserts the needle just beneath the skin's surface, and sensations vary widely from person to person. You may feel nothing at all, a quick pinch or perhaps a dull ache or tingle as the needles enters the skin. When it reaches the correct spot under the skin there may be a feeling of dull pressure, warmth, heaviness, numbness, tingling, a momentary ache or soreness, or mild electric sensation. These sensations are completely normal and indicate a healing response. "What Kind of Improvement Can I Expect After Treatment?" Generally, you should expect to feel better. You may experience the most dramatic results in the first treatment. Some people have an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms. This may last or some symptoms may return. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to notice the symptoms diminish over the next couple of days. In addition to treating their primary concerns, people often report side benefits such as increased energy and vitality, more restorative sleep, healthier appetite, more enjoyment of life, better handling of stressful situations, improved menstrual cycles, an overall sense of well-being, and other improvements. Many people who have been helped may retain their improvement for months or years. Those people whose symptoms return may be helped again with just a few additional treatments. "How Many Treatments Will I Need?" That depends entirely upon the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. You may need only a single treatment for an acute condition (colds, flu, frozen shoulder, spasms, etc.). Some simple conditions such as general stress, tiredness or mild depression may respond promptly with one to two treatments. Since acupuncture treatments are cumulative, an initial course of treatment is usually recommended, which includes 4-6 weekly treatments. Also, as part of your treatment, I may use other therapeutic techniques besides acupuncture. I often use very effective techniques called gua sha, moxibustion and cupping, when they are indicated. A series of five to fifteen treatments may resolve many chronic problems. If you have a chronic degenerative condition that is complex, you may need ongoing care for several months. As a preventative form of health care, treatments are most effective when received at the very first sign of imbalance or sickness (fever/chills, cough, headaches, minor aches, nausea, etc.). Regular check-ups are recommended for optimal well-being since they provide an opportunity to correct minor imbalances. On-going visits can vary from between once a week, once a month (especially applicable for massage therapies), to four or five times per year associated with the changes of seasons. Ultimately the frequency of treatment depends on your state of health, and varies with each person. "Should I Come Before or After a Sporting Event/Workout?" Professional athletes receive treatment both before and after their activity. Acupuncture Today (www.acupuncturetoday.com) has a good article on how acupuncture integrates with other, more conventional therapeutic methods. It is important that you tell me when your sporting event is (or was) because treatment techniques and intentions are different depending on the timing and nature of your event. Treatment techniques vary depending on the relative timing of the event. If you can come only once, I'd recommend that you come before your sporting event. There is truth to the expression, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". You can avoid or lessen the chance of injury and you will be in better condition to achieve a better performance. previous To make an appointment for your first visit, or for more information please contact: Nationally Certified Diplomate of Oriental Medicine Acupuncture/Herbal Medicine (NCCAOM) Oklahoma City Metro Locations Phone: (405) 401-6380 | For Which Conditions Does Acupuncture Work Best | | Acupuncture (traditional) FAQs | AuriculoTherapy | Scalp Acupuncture | | Acupuncture | Medicinal Herbs | Acupressure Bodywork Therapy | Food as Medicine | Adjunct Therapy | BioMat Therapy Sessions | | Return Home | PATIENT ORIENTATION | SERVICES | CONTACT INFO | RESOURCES | News & Events | |
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