Chances are you, along with most Americans, are not very familiar with Acupuncture. It was introduced as “public knowledge” to the United States in the 1970’s, yet many people still have not tried it. The thought of being stuck with 10-15 needles (on average) can be a bit intimidating. If you have experienced it, you may relate to what I am saying. If you have yet to experience it, I am here to ease your worried or skeptical mind and encourage you to try this amazing medicine.
Available to you is a natural, age-old, proven method of healthcare: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM encompasses three (3) major components: Acupuncture, Tui Na Massage, and Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM). The current state of our healthcare system affects each of us differently. No matter how you are affected or what your views of our ever-changing health care system are, you have options.
I am here to ease your worried or skeptical mind and encourage you to try this amazing medicine.
In a nutshell, Acupuncture is the insertion of very small needles (hair thin) into specific areas of the body to achieve a therapeutic effect. Tui Na Massage is a type of therapeutic massage that can be used to treat everything from common colds to chronic pain. Chinese Herbal Medicine is the use of herbs that traditionally grow in China, are used in everyday life there, and developed into an effective and individualized form of medicine.
The theories and diagnostic system used in TCM are complex and thorough. This diagnostic system was created to see the body as a whole, not as an individual body system or set of symptoms. This is to identify patterns of disharmony and any underlying imbalances that may be contributing to the symptoms being experienced by the patient. This is what is known as treating the cause or “root” of the disease. It is a regular practice of mine to discuss with my patients their diagnosis and what that means to them in terms of lifestyle, course of treatment, and future maintenance.
This diagnostic system was created to see the body as a whole, not as an individual body system or set of symptoms.
Acupuncture is rarely a “quick fix” especially in cases of chronic disease and pain. Patients may experience relief of symptoms after one or two treatments; however, those results are rarely long lasting. Acupuncture works cumulatively, therefore each treatment will compound on the last to correct the imbalances in the body. As the patterns in the body begin to change, the patient will experience more lasting results of treatment. Even then, maintenance may be necessary every few weeks or months. This medicine is no different than any other; the best results take a course of therapy and commitment from the patient for lasting relief.
Acupuncture does differ from pharmaceutical based medicine in that treatment has little to no side-effects, making it safe and non-toxic to the body. The side-effects experienced most commonly include: skin bruising and slight bleeding. Pneumothorax (punctured lung) can occur, though it is an extremely rare complication. I am well trained to know the areas of caution, needle depth and insertion angles to avoid such instances. I use factory sterilized, one-time-use, disposable needles and the chance of infection is minute.
This medicine is no different than any other; the best results take a course of therapy and commitment from the patient for lasting relief
Besides increasing the odds of symptom eradication in a safe and natural way, acupuncture is a great stress reliever and can have profound effects on even the healthiest of people. One does not need to be experiencing symptoms or have a medical diagnosis (in most cases) to receive acupuncture.
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