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How acupuncture works? Acupuncture started in China several thousand years ago. It is a natural therapy that helps the body to heal itself. Just like streams and rivers ebb and flow across of the earth, Qi (body’s vital energy) courses through channels in the body. Every organ network has a corresponding set of channels. The acupuncture points are located in small depressions in the skin called “gates” where the channels come closest to the surface. There are as many as 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body. By the insertion of hair-thin needles into certain points of the body, the gates of the body are opened and closed to regulate circulation in the channels and expel noxious influences from them. As a result, acupuncture mobilizes Qi and blood, and invigorates proper functions of the body. Based on the elegant ancient Chinese concept of “If there is no blockage, there is no disease”, acupuncture can treat a whole variety of diseases in the body by opening the blockage that causes disease, not just pain Is acupuncture safe? Acupuncture has a history of thousand years. If it were an unsafe practice, it would have disappeared already. Also, we use only pre-packaged, sterilized and disposable acupuncture needles made of surgical stainless steel. The needles are thin (like human hair, one quarter of the size of the needle used in hospital setting) and solid. They cause no damage to the tissue and skin. In the age of AIDS and hepatitis, there is virtually no possibility of cross infection. Does acupuncture hurt? Some people would like to try acupuncture but don’t because they are scared of the needles and assume it will be painful. In fact, the needles we use for acupuncture are 4 times thinner than those used for injections. It is so thin that it will bend upon skin contact and it can not be inserted into skin unless we do it deliberately. It is no pain-free and people are so relaxed that they frequently fall asleep during acupuncture treatment. In our office, we offer laser acupuncture as the alternative to needle acupuncture for those who are really afraid of needles, with comparable efficacy. Can acupuncture prevent diseases? Acupuncture diagnosis goes to the root cause of the problem and does not focus on individual symptoms. So it may diagnose disease before the symptoms occur. It can also help people who have no labeled complaint, but who, nevertheless feel not right. It can boost the body’s immunity and defense, thus prevent infection or even cancer. By unblocking the blockage, it can promote health, improves quality of life, prevent diseases and help people achieve longevity. What can acupuncture treat? NIH consensus
statement in November of 1997 clearly stated that acupuncture is clearly useful
for post-operative nausea and vomiting. It may potential benefit addiction,
stroke, headache, various pain syndromes, asthma, and carpel tunnel syndrome. World Health
Organization list the following conditions which benefit from acupuncture:
Arthritis Back pain Neck pain Muscle pain Muscle weakness Muscle cramping Sciatica NEUROLOGICAL Headaches Migraines Neurogenic bladder dysfunction Parkinson's disease Post-operative pain Stroke RESPIRATORY Asthma Bronchitis Common cold Sinusitis Smoking cessation Tonsillitis How many
treatments are needed? For acute
conditions, like sprained ankle, acute knee or back pain, one to two treatment
are all that take to completely relieve the pain. For chronic conditions, such
as stubborn back pain, osteoarthritis of knee, fibroids, the usual schedule is
once a week for five to six weeks, then once every two weeks for two months.
That, of course, depends on progress of individual treatment. What are Chinese herbs? Herbs, more like foods than drugs, can supplement our diet and fortify our constitution as well as prevent or remedy illness. Chinese herbs have been used for thousands of years in China and it is currently used extensively in China, Japan, Europe, and Israel. (As a matter of fact, Israel and Japan are the two largest importers of Chinese herbs in the world. In Japan, 70% of the western-trained physicians also write prescriptions for herbs). Chinese herbal medicine controls symptoms as well as treats the root causes as defined by traditional diagnosis. Proper usage of Chinese herbs rarely causes unwanted side effects. Herbs assist the organ networks in the performance of their functions. Particular herbs enter specific channels and enhance the capacity of the pertaining organ. Herbs are usually combined in formulas to enhance their individual properties and actions. Symptoms and signs are matched with therapeutic effects, reflecting the particular conditions and needs of each patient. The formulas are available in a variety of forms. In our office, we usually use concentrate powders, which are easily dissolved like coffee powders. In addition, formulary herbs which are directly manufactured by manufacturers in fixed formula are also available. What is cupping? Cupping is an important part of treatment in Acupuncture.
The most popular device of cupping is glass cup, which is carried out by
placing an oxygen-depleted glass cup on the skin to create a vacuum. The
treatment method can stimulates the flow of Qi, invigorate the blood of local
area, and help relieving the pain. It can also relax the muscle. What is moxibusion? Moxibusion treats and prevents diseases by applying heat to points or certain locations of the human body. For centuries, moxibustion and acupuncture have been combined in clinical practice, thus they are usually termed together in Chinese. The moxa (made of mogurt) can be made into moxa wool, moxa cone or moxa stick, which can burn and produce mild heat that is able to penetrate deeply into the muscles. It can warm the meridians, induce the smooth flow of Qi and blood. It can also prevent diseases and keep general good health. |
