Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been around for at least 2000 years. Over the years it has proven to be a natural and effective form of health care used for a variety of ailments and conditions. Like chiropractic, acupuncture is a holistic approach of treatment for many different disease processes as well as a preventative strategy for bettering ones overall health.
What does Acupuncture do?
Acupuncture is based on the action of moving the innate energy of the body known as Qi (chee). Inserting tiny needles through the skin at specific points will help to alert the body to the specific regions or organs being targeted. There are some responses which occur locally where the needle was inserted as well as global responses which can effect the entire body.
Locally, acupuncture has been shown to help increase circulation which enhances the calling of red and white blood cells to the area. This improved circulation will also help more nutrition to infiltrate the region providing the area with much needed nourishment. The increased movement of blood and energy through the area also helps to decrease inflammation which in turn can decrease pain. Globally, acupuncture enhances the function of the immune system and the ever important nervous system.
What can Acupuncture treat?
Do you suffer from pain, depression, anxiety, or insomnia? What about headaches, stress, or difficulty losing weight? These are just a few of the many conditions acupuncture can help to treat. Acupuncture is known to cause the release of endorphins in the central nervous system. Most people associate endorphins with a "runners high" relating to the surge of endorphins athletes get after intense exercise. Wouldn't it be nice to get all the amazing effects of a "runners high" without having to put your body through the stress of strenuous activity? Endorphins have been shown to create feelings of relaxation and euphoria as well as inhibit pain, reduce stress levels, decrease muscle tension, and improve nervous system function.
There is good evidence in the literature for acupuncture helping with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions such as rotator cuff injuries, low back pain, neck pain, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more. If you are interested to find out if acupuncture could help you give us a call today to learn more.
What to expect during treatment?
During your initial visit we will perform a comprehensive history and physical exam to determine what type of treatment would benefit your specific needs. A personalized treatment plan will be designed for you that will focus on removing any interference with your Qi (chee), restoring your body's proper balance, and building up energy. You may need to be seen multiple times a week initially and then progress to weekly visits. It may take around 6 weeks for your body to begin to hold the balance of energy. Once this occurs we will be able to increase the time between treatments.
Upon insertion of the needles you may feel one of three things. The first common response is to feel nothing at all. These needles are so thin and small that some people simply do not feel them. The second common response is to feel a slight pinch as the needle penetrates the skin and then feel nothing. This slight pinch is simply the touch receptors in the skin responding to the needle insertion. The third response is to feel a warming sensation in the area which is known as "De Qi" or the arrival of Qi. This represents the increased flow of blood and energy to the acupuncture point. Some people report intense feelings of this while others do not feel a thing. It is not an indication that the treatment is working or not but rather a natural variation in each persons response to the stimulus.