Acupuncture and Oriental medicine have become the fastest growing form of medicine in the US largely due to word of mouth testimonies. While a growing awareness of Oriental medicine exists, it remains a mystery to most people. Acupuncture, herbal/nutritional medicine and bodywork (massage, tai chi and chi gong) are three components of Oriental medicine. Appropriately practiced, Oriental medicine is a complete system of medicine. Unlike other forms of medicine, acupuncture and Oriental medicine treat the underlying cause of disease and not just the symptom. Unbeknownst to most, many practitioners of Oriental medicine specialize in certain areas, just like medical doctors. Below are some answers to common questions.
Does acupuncture really work? Absolutely and sometimes quite miraculously. However, it may not work so well if the practitioner is not comprehensively trained, lacking in knowledge to treat a particular condition or simply off track in his/her assessment and treatment. Other factors may also interfere with optimal outcome e.g., certain medications, drugs, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, etc. It is important for an individual to make changes in his/her diet, thinking and lifestyle, all of which may have contributed to the development of illness in the first place.
How does acupuncture work? Acupuncture works on the body's electromagnetic energy, known as chi or qi. In order to understand this energy, it is helpful to think of the EKG, which measures the electrical activity of the heart. Acupuncture operates from the understanding that each organ has a channel that travels along various areas of the body and circulates this energy. The needles access and conduct this energy. An acupuncturist has a variety of tools to assess the function of the chi in each organ system and administers a treatment at points along the channels that are most out of balance.
What types of conditions can acupuncture treat? Most people tend to think of acupuncture as a treatment used primarily for pain. In reality it can be useful for almost any condition, though in some serious cases it should only be used as an adjunct to other types of treatment. Oriental medicine works from different paradigms that are highly sophisticated and individualized. Several people may come to a practitioner with the same diagnosis, but it is quite unlikely that any of them would receive the same treatment. It is common for individuals to seek treatment for a bothersome condition and discontinue once the symptom goes away. Unfortunately, treatment ceases because the client does not realize the benefits of continuing therapy for their overall health and well-being.
How did acupuncture originate? Medical scholars over the past 2500+ years have contributed to the development of the art of acupuncture. The foundational theories are based on a profound understanding of nature and are documented in such a way to symbolize all possible phenomena in the universe. This knowledge has been transferred to the human being, a microcosm of nature. An example is the common terminology yin/yang. The term "yin" is used as a descriptor for things that are typically cooling, and calming e.g., water, night time, winter, femininity, etc. On the other hand, "yang" describes things that are warming and energizing e.g., fire, day time, summer, masculinity, etc. The kidney is considered the most "yin" organ in the body. An individual, who is "yin deficient" may experience excessive thirstiness, restlessness, insomnia and/or hot flashes. A patient may be considered "yang" deficient if he or she is lacking energy.
How many treatments are required? Acute conditions that do not involve organ or structural damage can often be remedied quite readily with as little as one treatment. Chronic conditions require more frequent and diversified treatments over longer periods of time. For instance, pain that results from an inflammatory or degenerative condition is most certainly going to require many more treatments than a superficial injury that has resulted from a musculo-skeletal strain.
Does it hurt?This depends upon the client, the practitioner, the size and type of needles being used, as well as the particular points being treated. Needles are typically as thin as hair (36g-40g). Ideally, there should be little or no sensation from the actual insertion...though some points are on areas of the body that are naturally more sensitive. Once the needle contacts the acupuncture point, there should be a momentary perception, which some describe as a dull ache, sting or electric buzzing. Most patients tolerate it quite well and find the overall experience very pleasing and relaxing.
How do I find a qualified practitioner? Board certification from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and licensure from the state are the best standards to ascertain that a practitioner has received adequate training. However, the type of training and ability to treat health issues varies quite a bit from one practitioner to another.
What should I expect to happen in an acupuncture treatment? A typical session begins with a client lying partially undressed on a massage table. The practitioner most often checks the individual's pulse and inspects his/her tongue. A great deal of information about an individual's state of health can be obtained from pulse and tongue diagnosis. This information can then help the practitioner choose appropriate points during the treatment.
Are there any side effects? Minor side effects may sometimes occur e.g., mild bleeding or bruising at acupuncture site, temporary aggravation of a pre-existing condition (sometimes referred to as a "healing crisis"), temporary drowsiness or fatigue. Serious are extremely rare when practiced by a comprehensively trained practitioner.
Does insurance cover these services?
As the trend to utilize acupuncture is gaining momentum and evidence points to cost savings, more health plans are beginning to pay for these services. Most insurers in California cover acupuncture and all insurers in Minnesota and Nevada are now required to cover such treatment. If current legislation (H.R.646) passes, medicare will also begin paying for this service. We suggest that you contact your carrier and encourage them to cover these services, if they are not already doing so.
What are the advantages of choosing acupuncture treatment over conventional treatment?
When appropriately practiced, acupuncture and Oriental medicine offers individuals a highly effective form of conservative treatment with little or no side effects. This system of medicine enables practitioners a means of profoundly understanding an individual system's. Practitioners are frequently able to assess and treat conditions that are unable to be detected by conventional means. The system of Oriental medicine recognizes that every action has a reaction. A comprehensively trained practitioner is able to include treatment to offset side effects of any given treatment.
Does acupuncture really work? Absolutely and sometimes quite miraculously. However, it may not work so well if the practitioner is not comprehensively trained, lacking in knowledge to treat a particular condition or simply off track in his/her assessment and treatment. Other factors may also interfere with optimal outcome e.g., certain medications, drugs, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, etc. It is important for an individual to make changes in his/her diet, thinking and lifestyle, all of which may have contributed to the development of illness in the first place.
How does acupuncture work? Acupuncture works on the body's electromagnetic energy, known as chi or qi. In order to understand this energy, it is helpful to think of the EKG, which measures the electrical activity of the heart. Acupuncture operates from the understanding that each organ has a channel that travels along various areas of the body and circulates this energy. The needles access and conduct this energy. An acupuncturist has a variety of tools to assess the function of the chi in each organ system and administers a treatment at points along the channels that are most out of balance.
What types of conditions can acupuncture treat? Most people tend to think of acupuncture as a treatment used primarily for pain. In reality it can be useful for almost any condition, though in some serious cases it should only be used as an adjunct to other types of treatment. Oriental medicine works from different paradigms that are highly sophisticated and individualized. Several people may come to a practitioner with the same diagnosis, but it is quite unlikely that any of them would receive the same treatment. It is common for individuals to seek treatment for a bothersome condition and discontinue once the symptom goes away. Unfortunately, treatment ceases because the client does not realize the benefits of continuing therapy for their overall health and well-being.
How did acupuncture originate? Medical scholars over the past 2500+ years have contributed to the development of the art of acupuncture. The foundational theories are based on a profound understanding of nature and are documented in such a way to symbolize all possible phenomena in the universe. This knowledge has been transferred to the human being, a microcosm of nature. An example is the common terminology yin/yang. The term "yin" is used as a descriptor for things that are typically cooling, and calming e.g., water, night time, winter, femininity, etc. On the other hand, "yang" describes things that are warming and energizing e.g., fire, day time, summer, masculinity, etc. The kidney is considered the most "yin" organ in the body. An individual, who is "yin deficient" may experience excessive thirstiness, restlessness, insomnia and/or hot flashes. A patient may be considered "yang" deficient if he or she is lacking energy.
How many treatments are required? Acute conditions that do not involve organ or structural damage can often be remedied quite readily with as little as one treatment. Chronic conditions require more frequent and diversified treatments over longer periods of time. For instance, pain that results from an inflammatory or degenerative condition is most certainly going to require many more treatments than a superficial injury that has resulted from a musculo-skeletal strain.
Does it hurt?This depends upon the client, the practitioner, the size and type of needles being used, as well as the particular points being treated. Needles are typically as thin as hair (36g-40g). Ideally, there should be little or no sensation from the actual insertion...though some points are on areas of the body that are naturally more sensitive. Once the needle contacts the acupuncture point, there should be a momentary perception, which some describe as a dull ache, sting or electric buzzing. Most patients tolerate it quite well and find the overall experience very pleasing and relaxing.
How do I find a qualified practitioner? Board certification from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and licensure from the state are the best standards to ascertain that a practitioner has received adequate training. However, the type of training and ability to treat health issues varies quite a bit from one practitioner to another.
What should I expect to happen in an acupuncture treatment? A typical session begins with a client lying partially undressed on a massage table. The practitioner most often checks the individual's pulse and inspects his/her tongue. A great deal of information about an individual's state of health can be obtained from pulse and tongue diagnosis. This information can then help the practitioner choose appropriate points during the treatment.
Are there any side effects? Minor side effects may sometimes occur e.g., mild bleeding or bruising at acupuncture site, temporary aggravation of a pre-existing condition (sometimes referred to as a "healing crisis"), temporary drowsiness or fatigue. Serious are extremely rare when practiced by a comprehensively trained practitioner.
Does insurance cover these services?
As the trend to utilize acupuncture is gaining momentum and evidence points to cost savings, more health plans are beginning to pay for these services. Most insurers in California cover acupuncture and all insurers in Minnesota and Nevada are now required to cover such treatment. If current legislation (H.R.646) passes, medicare will also begin paying for this service. We suggest that you contact your carrier and encourage them to cover these services, if they are not already doing so.
What are the advantages of choosing acupuncture treatment over conventional treatment?
When appropriately practiced, acupuncture and Oriental medicine offers individuals a highly effective form of conservative treatment with little or no side effects. This system of medicine enables practitioners a means of profoundly understanding an individual system's. Practitioners are frequently able to assess and treat conditions that are unable to be detected by conventional means. The system of Oriental medicine recognizes that every action has a reaction. A comprehensively trained practitioner is able to include treatment to offset side effects of any given treatment.
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