Acupuncture
 Your health and well-being can be greatly improved through the proper administration of medical acupuncture, for it is a safe and effective method of treatment for many common ailments. Acupuncture encourages the body to promote natural healing and improve functioning. This is done by inserting very thin needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at precise acupuncture points.
Acupuncture is safe, because no drugs or hazardous equipment, such as x-rays, are used. There are no irreversible procedures, such as surgical operations, performed. There is not even a hypodermic needle involved. Acupuncture promotes health and well-being, prevents certain illnesses, and treats a wide spectrum of health problems. The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture states the following: How Does Acupuncture Work? The Medical Chinese Classics’ explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up the flow in one part of the body and restricts it in others.
The meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points. The acupuncture needles unblock the obstruction at the dams, and restablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body’s internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities. Acupuncture can also help in the circulation of energy through the meridians. The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body’s own internal regulating system. The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulation of the body’s own natural healing abilities, and in promoting physical and emotional well-being. Acupuncture has an amazing history that has made it the world’s oldest contemporary medical system. "More people have been treated by acupuncture than by all other systems of medicine combined." (According to Dr. David Brestler, director of UCLA’s Pain Center.)
The science and art of acupuncture is a 5000 year old healing method. It has a long history and development, and it was practiced in China 3000 years before Christ. The term itself was derived by the 15th century Jesuit Missionaries in China from the Latin words "acus" meaning needle and "puncture" meaning puncture. Acupuncture was developed by clinical research in acupuncture physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology. In other words, it is a coming together of modern international medical science with classical acupuncture medicine. In March of 1996, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States of America approved acupuncture as a medical treatment method. Because of this great demand and scientific research, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) incorporated acupuncture into mainstream medicine in April, 1997. In July of 1997, Senate Bill 212 was signed into law, which indefinitely include acupuncturists in the definition of "physician" for the treatment of injured employees entitled to worker’s compensation medical benefits. SB 212 will ensure that patients have the freedom to choose treatment from a healthcare provider that is most appropriate to their needs. In November, 1997, the American Health Counsel publicly claimed acupuncture to be good for the treatment of pains, nausea, asthma, and arthritis. Acupuncture has proven to be an effective treatment and a valuable medicine. What are the Acupuncture Needles like? People experience acupuncture needles differently. Some patients feel no pain at all when the needles are inserted, and some patients experience minimal pain. Once the needles are in place, there is no pain felt. Acupuncture needles are very thin and solid, and are made from stainless steel. The point of the needle is smooth (Acupuncture needles are smooth, not hollow like hypodermic needles. Hollow needles increases the risk of skin bruising and skin irritation.), and insertion through the skin is not as painful as injections or blood sampling.
The most important historical effects that acupuncture has been noted for is in the regulation of the functions and of normalization. It increases the resistance of the body by enhancing the capabilities of the body. Acupuncture has such a powerful pain killing effect that it is now used in surgical operations as the only anesthetic. Already more than two million surgical operations have been performed with acupuncture as the only anesthetic.
Acupuncture normalizes the functions of the body. For example, constipation and diarrhea are two extremities of abnormal bowel movement. The normalizing effect of acupuncture can be observed as fine needles are placed in exactly the same locations for either conditions. This cannot happen with Western medicine because diarrhea can never be treated with laxatives. This effect of acupuncture indicates that it is a natural way of healing the illness by working with the body rather than on the body. Do not just live with it anymore!! With acupuncture, the patient will not have to learn to live with an ailment. Many patients have been told to see a psychiatrist because no physiological disorder can be found or treated by known methods, even though the patient fervently attests that he/she is in tremendous pain or discomfort. Sometimes they are simply told to learn to live with it. Something can be done and has been done, because acupuncture has helped in cases where other methods of treatment have failed. Acupuncture treats the causes as well as the symptoms of an illness.
You don’t have to just live with it anymore! Do’s & Don’ts
How many treatments will I need? The number of treatments needed differs from person to person. For more complex or long standing conditions, two or three treatments a week for several months may be recommended. For acute problems, usually fewer visits are required. For health maintenance, one treatment a month may be all that is necessary.
Many countries believe Acupuncture is a safe & effective medical system In terms of healing through the neuro-hormonal systems of the body, acupuncture has been proven to be one of the most effective and safest methods by countries in both Western and Eastern hemispheres. Researchers in China, Korea, Japan, India, Germany, France, Britain, Switzerland, Canada, the United States, Russia, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Australia have reported marvelous results achieved by acupuncture. In addition, many nations support active research programs in the physiology and therapy of acupuncture. These countries are Russia, North and South Korea, and Japan. Recently, the National Institute of Health in the United States also offered funds for acupuncture research. The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems, including:
Common Ailments Acupuncture can be used in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems.
Allergies: Allergies can manifest in the form of asthma, allergic sinusitis, and skin rash. The basic factor that causes allergic reactions is the inability of the system to secrete enough adreno-cortical hormones. As a result, the IgE level goes up in the body. Acupuncture corrects this problem with two effects on the system. First, it works on the hormonal glands such as the thymus, pituitary and adrenal glands to insure that there are adequate hormones for the immune system. Also, adrenal-cortical hormones secreted by the adrenal gland can relax bronchial tubes and inhibit histamine directly. Second, acupuncture relaxes the breathing center in the brain, thus relaxing the bronchial tubes through activities in the sympathetic nervous system. A research project, carried out by Loma Linda University School of Medicine, show that acupuncture can reduce the IgE level on a long term basis. Clinical observations showed that 80% of the patients got relief with between one and four treatments. There have been reports that all polyps disappear after acupuncture treatments. Digestive Disorders: gastritis and hyperacidity, Crohn’s Disease, colitis, spastic colon, constipation, and diarrhea. Neurological and Muscular Disorders: headaches, facial tics, neck pain, neuritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, various forms of tendonitis, lower back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis. Backache and Leg Pain: Many people with back problems have weak back muscles. Muscles are designed to hold our skeletal system in a position, which allows it to function effectively. Muscles maintain posture. Poor back muscles make a person tired more quickly and easily. This puts an abnormal strain on ligaments, joints, and bones, therefore causing back pain and sciatica. Acupuncture treatment can relieve back pain with amazing and quick results. A complete series of treatments can often make the back pain disappear. Many people who have taken acupuncture as a last resort after trying other treatment are amazed at the rate of success they achieve. Acupuncture improves muscle tone, thus promoting better posture, less fatigue, and looking and feeling better. Respiratory Disorders:sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, recurrent chest infections Urinary Problems: enuresis, dysuria, auria, bladder infections. Arthritis and Joint Problems: There are 35 million Americans who are plagued by arthritis, the inflammation in the joints that causes stiffness, pain, and swelling. These conditions tend to be worse with the change of weather. The victims suffer more pain when it is cold, humid, windy, and when there is low pressure. Headache: Acupuncture has been found to be able to relieve painful headaches. In many cases the pain begins to subside as soon as the fine needles are placed in the specific acupuncture sites. Many patients claim that acupuncture has relieved their headaches, even when the strongest drugs failed to do so. Menstrual and Reproductive Problems: PMS, cysts of uterus and/or ovary, endometriosis, menopause syndrome, infertility, impotence, nocturnal emission Weight Disorders: Reports from our patients confirm that acupuncture helps to reduce weight. Some say their appetites are curbed or their stomachs have shrunk because they can’t eat as much as they did before the treatment. Some say their bodies are firmer and their decreasing measurements outrun expectations for the pounds they have lost. A good percentage of patients experience lost of inches at the beginning of the treatment. Some say that they feel "peppier", a sign of an increase in their metabolism. Some say that they are more relaxed and their nervous eating habits are diminishing because of the relaxation. They report losing their craving for sweets and starches. Among all existing methods for weight control, acupuncture is superior because of its various effects. Health Insurance covers Acupuncture On Monday, July 21, Senate Bill 212 was signed into law. SB 212 will definitely include acupuncturists in the definition of "physician" for the purpose of treating injured employees entitled to worker’s compensation medical benefits. SB 212 will ensure that patients have the freedom to choose treatment from a healthcare provider that is most appropriate to their needs. Acupuncture has proven to be a safe and effective treatment and a valuable means of getting patients back into the work force.
You must choose your acupuncturist carefully. Achieving good results with acupuncture requires a skillful and knowledgeable person; one who has studied extensively and has been trained thoroughly. To competently practice acupuncture, three to five years of training is required. In the state of California, the laws regarding the use of acupuncture is rigid and firm and a genuine and qualified acupuncturist has to pass a state board test to acquire a license. The California State Board of Medical Quality Assurance certifies the acupuncturist after passing both the written and practical portions of the exam with an L.Ac.
Q.In what state is the acupuncturist licensed?
Q.Who certified the acupuncturist? Q.How many years of training has the acupuncturist completed? Q.Where did the acupuncturist receive training? Q.How many years has the acupuncturist been in practice? Q.Does the acupuncturist use disposable needles? Q.Has the acupuncturist treated your condition or similar condition before? Q.Does the acupuncturist have documented records or patient testimonials to show you? Q.After talking to the acupuncturist, did he/she appear to be knowledgeable? Q.After talking to the acupuncturist, was he/she confident? Q.Does the acupuncturist have high morals? Q.Is the acupuncturist treating the cause of the illness or the symptoms of the illness? Q.Does the acupuncturist have a good reputation? Q.How many patients has the acupuncturist treated? Q.Does the acupuncturist care about your total well-being, such as food, exercise, sleep, and life care? We hope that you have found answers to questions about acupuncture. To locate a qualified physician acupuncturist, contact us. |
