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By Jean Painter, L.Ac., Dp., OM, CH, Ac

Frequently Asked Questions about Acupuncture

HARMONY INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

Recently, someone asked, “Acupuncture will help relieve the pain in my back, but it won’t actually cure the problem, right?” Illness, disease or ailment result when the flow of Qi is interrupted by various causes, such as physical injury, emotional trauma, stress or improper diet. What acupuncture attempts to do is to regulate the flow of Qi to re-establish the proper flow of energy and substances in the body. Picture your home’s plumbing plugged by a clog, filling to the point of bursting or backing up to release the tremendous pressure into other areas of the house. This analogy is not unlike the blockage of Qi in our bodies, which must be cleared into order to relieve pain and prevent the disruption and/or damage to other systems of the body, over time, if left unattended. So, in answer to the question above, when the Qi is regulated the body will be restored to its natural state of balance, and able to heal itself.

Scientific studies indicate that acupuncture influences the nervous system, signaling regulatory centers in the brain to provide pain relief, regulate, levels of blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, hormones, and neurochemicals. It balances the functioning of the gastrointestinal, endocrine, and nervous systems in the body. Acupuncture can also improve circulation to reduce inflammation and regulate cardiovascular function.

“How is Qi accessed?”

According to Oriental medical theory, there is an energy called “Qi”, a vital force, the presence of which separates the living from the dead, that flows throughout the body along a complex network of pathways called meridians or channels, directing Qi to every part of the body. Acupuncture is the process of inserting fine, hair-thin needles into acupoints specifically chosen to treat the patient’s particular condition. Only sterile, solid, stainless steel, disposable needles are used, and due to the very fine diameter of the needles and skill of the practitioner, there is none of the discomfort associated with the usual hypodermic needle injection.

“How does the practitioner know which points to treat?”

Oriental Medicine recognizes that each individual is unique; every patient receives a customized treatment program. Consequently, two patients with the same disease are often treated with totally different prescriptions. As no two personalities are alike, no two bodies present with the exact same pattern of disharmony, and so, each must be treated according to their constitutional strengths and weaknesses.

“How long to treatments take?”

Depending on the patient’s condition and the treatment plan, each treatment averages 20-45 minutes.

“How many treatments and how often?”

Again, each patient’s health problems and response to treatment vary. Typically, the recommendation is two to four treatments per week for eight to sixteen treatments.

Although some patients respond favorably after only one or two treatments, some may not improve until the eighth or ninth visit. In general, acute conditions require less treatment than chronic conditions as they are usually of recent onset rather than a long-standing condition.

“Is there more to Oriental Medicine than acupuncture?”

Acupuncture of one of five branches of traditional Oriental medicine. The others being Oriental herbal medicine, nutrition, Tuina massage, Taichi movement medicine, and Qigong breathing meditation. All comprise a 5,000 year-old holistic approach to healing and maintaining the health of the body, mind and spirit.

“So What Can Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Treat?”

by Jean Painter, L..Ac., Dp.,OM, CH, Ac

This question is one I hear on a daily basis. Most everyone has heard of acupuncture; some have enjoyed its benefits of relief; others have literally had their lives and health returned to them by this method of Traditional Oriental Medicine (TOM). Like the 86-year-old bedridden diabetic patient referred to me last September with the pain and paralysis of diabetic neuropathy.

Her MD’s had sent her home with powerful pain medications and sedatives because they had no other tools to help her. Today she is pain free, enjoys a daily walk around her block, and is traveling again to visit family and friends.

But, most of our patients’ conditions are more the routine aches and aggravations of daily

life. For instance:

Headaches

Back and joint pain

Digestive and Elimination Problems

High Blood Pressure or Cholesterol

Women’s (Young & Mature)

Health Issues

Allergies, Asthma, Flu and Colds

Weight Loss and Addictions

Insomnia

Men’s Health Issues (BPH) (ED)

Neurological Disorders

Poor Memory

Vision

Dermatology

The list goes on to include early stage injuries or respiratory or digestive “bugs” and long- standing chronic conditions that either do not improve substantially with conventional treatment, or the side- effects of conventional pharmaceuticals are undesirable.

I am always happy to answer the question:

Will TCM treat___________?