What is Acupuncture
Acupuncture, simply stated, is a health science which is used to successfully treat both pain and dysfunction in the body.
Acupuncture has its roots deeply planted in China, In fact, authorities agree the science is between 5,000 and 7,000 years old. Its use spread throughout ancient Egypt, the Middle East, the Roman Empire, and later into Western Europe, as merchants and missionaries to China told of the amazing discoveries the people of the Orient had developed. Acupuncture did not become known on a national level in the United States until 1971 when diplomatic relations between China and America we relaxed.
At first glimpse, Acupuncture appears strange, as its primary notoriety is the utilization of needles placed in the skin at various locations to relieve pain or affect a body part.
Early Chinese physicians discovered there is an energy network transversing just below the surface of the skin which communicates from the exterior to the internal organs and structures at over 1,000 "Accupoints" on the body. This energy works in harmony with the body's circulator, nervous, muscular, digestive, genitourinary and all other systems of the body. When this vital energy becomes blocked or weakened, an effect in a body system or anatomic location becomes evident. Stimulation of one or combination of a key "Accupoints" on the body may restore harmony to the affected area.
Historians have stated, "More people have benefited from acupuncture over the course of fifty centuries than the combined total of all other healing sciences, both ancient and modern."
How Does It Work?
Far too often in the medical professions, a patient is told after extensive examination, "There is nothing wrong" "It is all in your head" or "Sorry you'll have to learn to live with it". The examining doctor unable to find the cause of the problem has little else to tell the patient. Fortunately, many physicians are now referring their patients for an Acupuncture evaluation as a last resort.
The human body's energy flow courses over twelve meridians or channels that are normally well balanced. If a disruption of energy flow exists, it can alter the entire system, producing pain or symptoms in the body.
If we were to compare a 175 pound man on one end of a seesaw and a 45 pound child on the other end, it becomes obvious the seesaw would be "broken" due to the fact the heavier person would be sitting on the ground and the lighter person would be dangling in the air. Even though the seesaw is producing a symptom of being broken-extensive examination would not reveal anything wrong with the seesaw. The obvious answer is in the balance. Correction of the balance corrects the problem.
This is Acupuncture's goal-to restore normalcy to the body's energy balance by utilizing a combination of Accupoints located on the twelve meridians. This is accomplished by a variety of means, the needle is just one.
Medical research continues in this country and others to attempt to explain in western scientific terms what ancient Chinese seventy centuries earlier described. Today, many theories have been postulated as to why Acupuncture is so effective in pain control. However, as more discoveries are made, more research is indicated.
Is Treatment Painful?
One would assume inserting a needle into the skin would be painful since most of us can relate to being stuck with a pin or having a hypodermic injection. However, four Acupuncture needles can easily be inserted into the hollow tube of a hypodermic needle. Because of the extreme slenderness of the needle, most people compare the sensations "less than a mosquito bite". A phenomena referred to as "TECHI" occurs when the energy is contacted. This sensation is felt as a mild to moderate heaviness or tingling.
Are Results Psychological?
Many critics of Acupuncture have suggested the science is hypnosis or "mind over matter". This criticism is totally unfounded as Acupuncture has startling effects in infants and toddlers as well as veterinary applications. The effect it has in surgery as an anesthetic further disclaims the skeptics. Even total disbelievers report favorable response to Acupuncture.
However, a positive outlook is obviously beneficial in all phases of life to include healing.
What Conditions Are Accepted?
Acupuncture textbooks list well over one hundred different conditions that respond well to Acupuncture. The World Health Organization, working in close harmony with the International Acupuncture training centers of the Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has indicated Acupuncture is effective in the following conditions:
Acute and chronic pain relief
Migraine
Tension Cluster and Sinus Headaches
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Bladder Dysfunction
Bed Wetting
Cervical (neck) Pain
Mid-Back Pain
Low Shoulder
Tennis Elbow
Post-Operative Pain Relief
Gastric Problems
Asthma Allergies
Skin Conditions
Hemorrhoids
Abnormal Blood Pressure
Fatigue
Anxiety
Neurological Syndrome
Various Eye Problems
This is only a partial list of the numerous conditions Acupuncture has been credited with helping.
Ear Acupuncture
The ear has more than one hundred Accupoints which relate to the various organ systems and parts of the body. During fetal development the first structures to develop are the brain and spinal cord. At about the same time what later becomes the external ear also develops. Accordingly, there is a very strong relationship between the external ear and the central nervous system.
The ancient Chinese viewed the ear as resembling and upside down fetus with all the body parts proportionately arranged on the ear.
Ear acupuncture may use either needles or electrical stimulation of Accupoints or a combination of both. Electrical ear acupuncture is the most comfortable and least invasive method of acupuncture for those apprehensive about needles as well as being an effective method of treatment for many conditions.
Cost
The cost of an Acupuncture treatment is $39.00 per session.
The first appointment takes approximately 40 minutes while subsequent visits are about 30 minutes.
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