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Acupuncture
 Acupuncture and oriental medicine is a complete medical system that has been used to diagnose, treat and prevent illness for over 2,500 years. Today, the increasing popularity in recent years of acupuncture as a form of therapy is bringing acupuncture into mainstream medicine.
How does acupuncture work?
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes in a substance called the Qi (pronounced chee), which is a kind of energy. The Qi flows in channels, called meridians, throughout the body and over its surface. Meridians irrigate the body, sustaining and nurturing tissues. Acupuncture points are spots along the meridians where, by inserting needles, the flow of Qi can be adjusted.
Heart problems occur when meridians become obstructed or when Qi flows in an unbalanced manner. Acupuncture restores the natural flow of Qi along the meridians by inserting needles at acupuncture points without the use of drugs or surgery.
Acupuncture Techniques
Treatment with acupuncture needles is the most common method. Treatment is performed by inserting hair thin, disposable needles at very specific points on the surface of the body to correct and balance the flow of energy. Following insertion, the needles may be stimulated by twirling or connecting them to mild electrical current (there is no risk of electrical shock) for 20-30 minutes. Other oriental medical techniques used in acupuncture are:
Moxibustion: This is done by burning some special herbs directly or indirectly above the skin to apply heat to an acupuncture point.
Cupping: Use of glass cups or a bamboo jar to create a vacuum action on the skin for the release of pathogens.
Tui-Na: This is the traditional Chinese style physical therapy or massage. It is used in conjunction with acupuncture to enhance treatment in a variety of muscular-skeletal conditions.
Herbs: is a comprehensive form of medicine that can effectively address a wide variety of conditions.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is a very safe medical procedure when administered by a qualified practitioner (certified by national board, complete with strict regulations for proper needle sterilization). Practitioners use needles that are individually packaged, sterile and disposable so there is no risk of infection from the treatment.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are hair thin, and many patients don’t feel the insertion. However, patients respond differently. In some instance warmth, tingling, heaviness, or a feeling of the Qi moving up and down the channels may occur (these sensations are normal and signify the treatment is working). Many people find acupuncture extremely relaxing and sometimes fall asleep during treatment.
How many sessions will I need?
 A treatment usually takes one hour. Acupuncture is scheduled as often as three times a week or as little as twice a month. But the number of sessions may differ due to the duration, severity and nature of your illness. For simple or acute conditions, you may only need a few visits, for complex or chronic conditions, multiple sessions a week for several months may be required.
Is Acupuncture for you?
Acupuncture treatments are not only useful for pain management but also a wide range of ailments. The World Health Organization has composed a list of 43 different disorders which can be treated by acupuncture. The US National Institute of Heath recognizes acupuncture to be as effective as many conventional western medical therapies. Therefore more than 1 million Americans receive acupuncture each year.
What to do the day of a session?
DO use the restroom before your treatment.
DO continue taking any prescription medicines as directed by your regular doctor.
DO give your acupuncturist prompt feed back to your treatment so follow-up treatment can be designed to best help you and your condition.
Is acupuncture covered by health insurance?
Acupuncture treatment is covered by many health insurance policies. However, some do not yet recognize the value of acupuncture. Call your carrier to determine your coverage
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