IS ACUPUNCTURE FOR YOU?

Acupuncture is a form of healing which is more than three thousand years old and yet has really only come into the vocabulary of the average American in the past few years.  Although many people have been skeptical about acupuncture, it has gained increasing acceptance as more and more people have been treated and helped by it.  The fact that acupuncture benefits many of the people who have not been helped by conventional methods is indicative of its potential usefulness in this country.

People who undergo acupuncture treatments frequently have little knowledge about acupuncture in general and the actual treatment procedure in particular, and certain questions seem to be repeatedly asked in acupuncture clinics.  Here are a collection of the most commonly asked questions, with answers provided by doctors involved in the day to day treatment of patients using acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a form of healing that is based on the use of needles to correct malfunctions in the body.  It was found over the centuries that in all patients the same skin areas became hypersensitive in the presence of a specific illness or organ dysfunction.  The sensitive areas varied consistently according to the organ malfunction.  Acupuncture affects the energy level and the functioning of internal organs by either stimulating or depressing their action.  Acupuncture works through the insertion of thread-like, stainless steel needles in specific points on the body.  These points are grouped along energetic channels (or meridians) that cross the body.  Upon insertion the patient may feel a slight sensation, but the needles are designed to be virtually painless. Disposable needles are used one time only and then discarded. Therefore, no disease can be transmitted.

DO MANY PHYSICIANS USE ACUPUNCTURE PROCEDURES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD?

IS ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY LIMITED TO THE INSERTION OF ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES?

Acupuncture has been used in china for  more than 3,000 years and for decades in Europe (England, France, and Germany), Japan and Russian Republics.  At present, acupuncture is practiced throughout the world by 150,000 licensed acupuncturists.

After its effectiveness in surgical anesthesia was established worldwide, it aroused interest in modern medical circles. Some physicians in the U.S. began to study acupuncture in an effort to learn the reason for its effects.

No, acupuncture therapy is not limited to the insertion of presterilized needles.

Acupressure is the use of the finger instead of needles to accomplish the same purpose.

Acupuncture may be divided into body acupuncture, ear acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, etc.  Acupuncture may also be combined with electrical and moxibustion. These combinations are called electrical acupuncture and needles moxibustion. Another method was vacuum cupping therapies and skin acupuncture therapies. The type of acupuncture to be used is determined according to the patient's condition.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture therapy is effective in 47 kinds of diseases: acute sinusitis, bronchial asthma, toothache, hiccup, chronic duodenal ulcer (to relieve pain), constipation, diarrhea, facial paralysis, headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, incomplete paralysis after apoplexy, peripheral neurologic diseases, meniere's syndrome, neurogeenic bladder dysfunction, nocturia, intercoatal neuralgia, arm and neck syndrome, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, sciatica, backache, osteo-arthritis and many more.  It is especially effective in treating muscular and nerve system diseases.

Clinical experience has proved that acupuncture is effective in stress reduction, weight control, deep relaxation, enhanced physical function, rejuvenation of skin and complexion.  It has helped patients withdraw from drugs, smoking alcohol addiction, and it also relieves insomnia, palpitation, anxiety, depression and impotence,  It also relieves deafness, tinnitus, corrects sports and athletic injuries improving athletic performance and is most effective in weight control.

Acupuncture therapy treats patients without resorting to drugs. It is a completely natural treatment so it does not have side effects as drugs usually do.  Acupuncture therapy raises patients' own inner forces by enhancing them to allow patients to cure themselves.  Acupuncture therapy can raise patients own activity of the immune system. thus preventing disease.  Additionally acupuncture benefits many people who have not been helped by conventional medical methods.

It is very difficult to give a general answer with out a diagnosis.  Acute or functional diseases heal faster.  Chronic diseases being slow in nature, are more difficult to treat and require more time.  After three to six sessions, improvement results for the acute or functional diseases.  Usually after ten or more sessions, the problem is alleviated,  For chronic diseases, the suggested schedule of treatments is two to three times weekly in the beginning of the treatment series.  Subsequent sessions may be spread out as the patient begins to improve.

Objective scientific evidence shows that acupuncture has a physical basis and prove that it does not work by hypnosis or suggestion.  More study has shown that the function of acupuncture is linked with the nerve system, endocrinology system and immunology system.  For example, acupuncture stimulates secretion of endogenous hormones (endorphine, etc.)

Acupuncture also increases white blood cells and antibodies, thereby increasing the body's resistance to inflammation.

No, although acupuncture has gained an outstanding reputation as a therapy, it has limitation.  Some illnesses require special doctors.  Acupuncture is excellent in treating functional disorders.  Today, scores of diseases are responding favorably to acupuncture.  It is a natural method with ho side effects.  It is suggested that persons suffering from maladies and those affected with pain make an appointment for a no-obligation evaluation.  Hundreds of patients have responded favorably and are now leading pain- free productive lives.

Consultations or information is FREE.  If you are considering treatment but would like to discuss your specific program with your doctors, we suggest you do so.  We invite you to make an appointment for a consultation at our office.  There is no charge nor obligation.

Emergency and home-bound patient services are also offered.