What is Acupuncture?
Several thousand years ago, East Asian practitioners discovered that the body forms disharmonies as a result of the various physical and mental stresses of life. Oriental medical theory explains these disharmonies as an imbalance of opposing forces called yin and yang. This imbalance disrupts the movement of the body's vital energy (qi) along the meridian pathways, which are channels through which the body's energy is thought to flow. Acupuncture restores the smooth flow of qi. By inserting and manipulating needles at specific points on the body, I am able to return the body to its natural balance and promote the body's ability to heal itself.
What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?
Many first-time patients are concerned that acupuncture needles will feel like hypodermic injections at the doctor’s office. They won't. Acupuncture uses hair-thin, flexible needles that you will hardly feel when I insert them. When I gently stimulate the needles they may produce a unique sensation that Oriental medicine calls de qi. Patients often describe de qi as a heavy, achy pressure, or spreading, traveling feeling. You may also feel an "electrical" sensation moving down the meridian pathways, though this is less common. Most patients find these acupuncture sensations deeply satisfying and leave the treatment feeling relaxed both mentally and physically.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, so more than one treatment is often recommended. For acute conditions, you may need only one to three treatments. Chronic conditions may take longer to respond, depending on the type, severity, and duration of the condition. Preventative treatments and treatments for general well-being may also be scheduled on an as-needed basis.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Yes. Acupuncture is used by millions of Americans every year. Acupuncturists are required to undergo extensive education, including detailed study of human anatomy and training in Clean Needle Technique. I have passed comprehensive national board examinations administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and am licensed by the state. As required by law, I use pre-sterilized, disposable, single-use needles to ensure your complete safety.
Your First Visit
When you arrive for your first acupuncture appointment I will ask you to complete a comprehensive intake form. The acupuncture intake form asks questions about your current state of health, past illnesses, and family history. These questions are important because the holistic approach of Oriental medicine takes everything into account. Your current symptoms may not seem related to past health issues, but our bodies are complex landscapes and everything that happens to them leaves its mark.
After reviewing your intake form, we will discuss your condition, and I will examine your pulse and tongue, which are two of the basic diagnostic methods of Oriental medicine. The acupuncture points I choose will depend on your condition, but you can expect approximately 20 needles. Once the needles are inserted, I will leave you to lie comfortably for 15-20 minutes with the needles in place. Many people find acupuncture treatment deeply relaxing, and it is not uncommon for patients to fall asleep during this time.
What Can Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture works by activating the body's own healing powers, so it can be beneficial for many health conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented many symptoms, diseases, and conditions that have been shown in controlled clinical trials to be effectively treated with acupuncture. Below are some common conditions I can treat, but please feel free to contact me about your specific health condition.
Pain
- Sports injuries
- Muscle pain
- Back, neck and shoulder pain
- Leg, ankle and foot pain
- Arm, wrist and hand pain
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tennis Elbow
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Jaw pain (TMJ)
- Dental pain
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Headaches and migraines
- Postoperative pain
Digestive Issues & Nausea
- Heartburn, Acid Reflux
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Chronic indigestion
- Chronic loose stools or constipation
- Peptic ulcer
- Acute and chronic gastritis
- Morning sickness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hiccups
Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Depression
Respiratory Complaints
- Sinusitis
- Allergies
Reproductive Issues
- Infertility
- Cycle irregularity
- Increased efficacy of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Is there a difference between a chiropractor or MD that performs acupuncture and a licensed acupuncturist?
Yes, and the difference is enormous. Chiropractors and MDs that perform acupuncture receive approximately 100-300 hours worth of "Quickie Acupuncture" training to become certified to practice acupuncture. "Dry Needling" performed by some Physical Therapists also falls into this category. Dr. Amy Matecki, the medical director for the International Center for Integrative medicine, states, "The insertion of acupuncture needles by physical therapists or other persons who have little or no training in the safe and effective use of acupuncture needles constitutes a significant threat to public safety." The depth of their knowledge of Chinese medicine and acupuncture includes very basic acupuncture point location and needling skills. No actual patients are treated during this training, and there are no requirements to show competency by passing national board exams. This is the equivalent to acupuncturists with 4 years of Oriental Medical school taking some extra weekend & online courses and then also calling themselves chiropractors or medical doctors.
Licensed acupuncturists spend about 4 years training in both Oriental and Western biomedicine. Only after 1.5 years of solid, full time, training in acupuncture do students then begin to further enhance their skills during the next 2.5 years with over 1000 hours of clinical internship while treating actual patients under the supervision of doctors of acupuncture and oriental medicine. There is no substitute for this learning experience, and it is impossible to use acupuncture as an effective treatment modality for patients in the community without the appropriate training.
A doctor from China said it best: "a medical doctor certified to practice acupuncture after only 200 hours has only begun to scratch the surface of Chinese Medicine. A stick by itself is fairly safe, but in the wrong hands even a stick has potential to cause harm."
"There have been a number of high-profile injuries in recent years where physical therapists or chiropractors have punctured the lungs of their patients upon incorrectly inserting acupuncture needles." http://forwardthinkingpt.com/2016/02/24/california-court-issues-temporary-injunction-stopping-companies-from-dry-needling-in-ca-following-csm-2016/
