ACUPUNCTURE is the insertion of tiny, sterile, stainless steel needles at specific points on the body surface for therapeutic or medical purposes. The needles are disposable and are used only one time. Acupuncture reduces acute (short term) and chronic (long term) PAIN, regulates physiological functions, and stimulates vitality.
Acupuncture is often accompanied by finger-pressure treatment known as ” Acupressure ” and by heat therapy called ” Moxabustion “. These methods enhance the Acupuncture effect.
Acupuncture Diagnosis and Treatment Planning:
Acupuncturists use methods of diagnosis based on traditional Chinese medical theory. These procedures include the patient interview and various examinations, such as: observation of the face and tongue, palpation of the 12 radial pulses, palpation of various acupuncture points of the meridian energy channels and palpation of the abdominal Mu points and the back Shu points.
A modern Acupuncturists may also include western medicine diagnostic procedures in the physical exam, and request lab and visulaization studies or copies of the results from your doctor.
The Acupuncturist will assemble all this information to come upon an Oriental Diagnosis as the basis for the point selection to treat the patient. Acupuncturists also integrate modern medical information and the patient’s conventional diagnosis to help guide the selection of points to needle.
Acupuncture works thru 4 different mechanisms:
1) Acupuncture stimulates, regulates or normalizes the body’s “bio-electrical” current, also called “Chi” or “Vital Energy” in the Orient. This life-force oversees all bodily functions and is measurable by special electronic equipment.
2) The nervous system is stimulated so that specific organs or organ functions are effected by this stimulation.
3) The body’s own, naturally produced, pain relieving substance is stimulated and released. This substance is called “endorphin”. Once the body feels pain relief, other neurological events occur that resets the body’s pain response and self healing is stimulated.
4) Different acupuncture points stimulate the release of natural substances or chemicals that the body normally produces and requires to function properly.
A Summary of Acupuncture Benefits:
- Acupuncture relieves short term (acute) or long term (chronic) pain and stimulates the body’s own self-healing mechanisms.
- Different acupuncture points can stimulate individual organ system functions. For example, some points can regulate the digestive system, other points can tonify the body resistance, other points will improve the metabolism or increase energy (Chi) circulation, etc.
- Acupuncture can encourage the release of physical and emotional trauma due to injury, accident or stress. Unreleased trauma is a major obstacle to good health.
- Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, encourages the release of stress, and promotes a sense of inner calm.
- Acupuncture assists in the treatment of many internal conditions, such as infection, arthritis, menstrual disorders, etc., especially when combined with prescribed herbal medicine, nutritional programs or your physician’s medication and treatment.
- Acupuncture helps to coordinate the interrelating functions of the various organ systems. How these systems work together is just as important, as the individual health of each one. This is referred to as Five Element Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
- Acupuncture helps the body to better assimilate nutrients from foods, vitamins and herbs, etc.