Acupuncture is an essential part of traditional Oriental medicine, a comprehensive system of health care with a continuous clinical history of over 3000 years. Oriental medicine includes acupuncture, Chinese herbology, dietary therapy, life-style counseling, bodywork, and exercise based on traditional Oriental medicine principles such as Tai-Chi and Qi-Gong.

These therapies work with the natural vital energy inherent within all living things to promote the body’s ability to heal itself. This system of health care is used extensively by one-quarter of the world’s population residing in Asia and is rapidly growing in popularity in the West.

How does it work?

Oriental medicine is based on an energetic model rather than the biochemical model of Western medicine.

The ancient Chinese recognized a vital energy behind all life forms and life’s processes. They called this energy “Qi” (pronounced chee). In developing an understanding of the prevention and cure of disease, these healing practitioners discovered that this energy which flows along specific pathways is associated with a particular physiological system and internal organ. Disease is considered to arise due to a deficiency or imbalance of energy in the meridians and their associated physiological systems.

Acupuncture is the insertion of micro-fine needles into specific points that are located along the meridians of the body. Each point has a predictable effect upon the vital energy passing through it. Modern science has been able to measure the electrical charge at these points, thus corroborating the locations of the meridians mapped by the ancients.

Traditional Oriental medicine uses an intricate system of pulse and tongue diagnosis, palpation of points and meridians, comprehensive medical history, and other signs and symptoms to create a composite Oriental medical diagnosis. A treatment plan is then formulated to induce the body to a balanced state of health.

What Does Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Treat?

The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture and traditional Oriental medicine’s ability to treat over 43 common disorders including, but not limited to:

• NEUROLOGICAL: Headache, Migraine, Neuralgia, Postoperative Pain, Post-Stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Facial Pain, Diabetic Neuropathies, Bells Palsy, Shingles
• MUSCULOSKELETAL: Shoulder & Neck Pain, Back Pain / Sciatica, Disc Problems, Soft Tissue Injuries, Muscle Cramping, Traumatic Injuries, Sports Injuries, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia
• DIGESTIVE: Abdominal Pain, Hyperacidity, Chronic Diarrhea, Indigestion, Constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Candida, Crohn's Disease, Colitis
• EYE, EAR, DENTAL: Eye Fatigue, Tinnitus, Toothache, Post Extraction Pain, TMJ
• RESPIRATORY: Sinusitis, Common Cold, Tonsillitis, Bronchitis, Allergy (hay fever), Asthma
• GYNECOLOGICAL: Infertility, PMS, Cramps, Endometriosis, Menopausal Symptoms
• EMOTIONAL: Trauma, Hypertension, Insomnia, Depression, Anxiety, Nervousness
• AUTO IMMUNE DISORDERS: Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia
• OTHER: weight control, addictions & chemical dependency, regulation of heart rate and blood pressure.

How Does Acupuncture Feel?

Prior to their first treatment, many people do not believe that acupuncture can be painless. Different sensations, such a warmth or pressure, may be felt, but the energetic sensation differs from pain. People often comment that the feeling is unfamiliar but pleasant and relaxing.

Acupuncture needles are very fine, about the size of a thick hair, and honed to a gently tapered tip. The needles are solid. Nothing is injected through them. Over the centuries, very refined needle insertion techniques have been developed which enable the skilled acupuncture practitioner to place a needle with little or no sensation. Modern technology has brought the availability of disposable needles. Those are the only type we use in our office.

Insertion of acupuncture needles is often less painful than stimulating the points with finger pressure. Most patients state they can't feel the insertion of the needles. After inserting the needle, its subtle manipulation may cause a feeling of warmth, pressure, or a mild heaviness, or tingling. These sensations may be surprising or strange, but are not painful. Most patients find an acupuncture treatment very relaxing and usually fall asleep during the session.

What can I expect after an acupuncture treatment?

A common sequence of events is that after the initial acupuncture treatment, there is a fairly dramatic improvement, lasting perhaps 2 or 3 days. Subsequent treatments tend to give relief over a longer period of time. Ideally patients become symptom free after perhaps four to six treatments. A small number of patients may initially experience a worsening of symptoms. This is not unusual and is no need for alarm.

For more information about Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, please call D4D Health and Wellness Medical Center for a complimentary consultation. Georgette Young is the newest member of the D4D Staff. She specializes in Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology. Please feel free to call our office if you have any questions in reference to those subjects and ask Georgette, she will be happy to speak with you, or visit the following websites.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
at the National Institute of Health (NIH)...
www.nccam.nih.gov

Acupuncture Today...
www.acupuncturetoday.com