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What is Acupuncture?
 Acupuncture is an essential part of Oriental medicine,
a comprehensive system of health care with a continuous
clinical history of over 3000 years. Oriental medicine
includes acupuncture, Chinese herbology and bodywork,
dietary therapy and exercise based on traditional Oriental
medicine principles.
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 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 flows along
specific pathways called ‘meridians’. Each pathway 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 points are specific locations along the
meridians. 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, 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 Can I Expect?
Many conditions may be alleviated very rapidly by acupuncture
and Oriental medicine. However, some conditions that
have arisen over a course of years will be relieved
only with slow, steady progress. As in any form of healing,
the patient’s attitude, diet, determination and lifestyle
will affect the outcome of a course of treatment. Patients
are encouraged to actively participate in their healing
process.
Although Oriental medicine can treat most conditions,
there are circumstances that can be dealt with more
effectively by Western medicine. In such cases, your
acupuncturist will recommend you contact a Western medical
doctor. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine should be
seen as complementary to Western medicine.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
In the hands of a comprehensively trained acupuncturist,
your safety is assured. Acupuncture needles are sterile
and are either disposable or autoclaved between treatments.
If you have a preference, you should discuss the type
of needles to be used with your practitioner.
Is Acupuncture Painful?
Acupuncture bears no resemblance to the feeling of receiving
an injection, since the main source of pain from injections
is the larger diameter, hollow needle and the medication
being forced into the tissue by pressure. Acupuncture
needles are very fine and flexible, about the diameter
of a human hair. In most cases, insertion by a skilled
practitioner is performed without discomfort.
You may experience a sense of heaviness or electricity
in the area of insertion. Most patients find the treatments
very relaxing and many fall asleep during treatment.
In some cases, your practitioner may also recommend
herbs or dietary, exercise or lifestyle changes.
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