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Please click
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answer for that question.
1.
What is acupuncture and
oriental medicine?
2.
How does acupuncture work?
3. What are the most commonly
treated ailments?
4. Is Acupuncture covered by
insurance?
5. How deep do the needles go?
6. Does Acupuncture hurt?
7.
How many treatments will I
need?
What is acupuncture and
oriental medicine?
Acupuncture is a method of
encouraging the body to promote
natural healing and improve
function. This is done by
inserting sterilized,
stainless-steel needles (that
are as fine as a human hair)
into specific points located
near or on the surface of the
skin which have the ability to
alter various biochemical and
physiological conditions in
order to treat a wide variety of
illnesses. Dating back to over
3000 years as a primary health
care system in China,
acupuncture and Chinese medicine
is widespread in Asia, Europe
and USA.
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How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is the stimulation
of specific points located near
or on the surface of skin which
have the ability to alter
various biochemical and
physiological conditions in
order to achieve the desired
effect. The basic foundation for
oriental medicine is that there
is a life energy flowing through
the body which is termed Qi
(pronounced Chee ). This energy
flows through the body on
channels known as meridians that
connect all of our major organs.
According to Chinese medical
theory, illness arises when the
cyclical flow of Qi in the
meridians becomes unbalanced or
blocked. Acupuncture points are areas of
designated electrical
sensitivity. Inserting needles
at these points stimulates
various sensory receptors that,
in turn, stimulate nerves that
transmit impulses to the
hypothalamic-pituitary system at
the base of the brain. The hypothalamus-pituitary
glands are responsible for
releasing neurotransmitters and
endorphins, the body’s natural
pain-killing hormones. It is
estimated that endorphins are
200 times more potent than
morphine. Endorphins also play a
big role in the functioning of
the hormonal system. This is why
Acupuncture works well for back
pain and arthritis and also for
P.M.S and infertility. The substances released as a
result of Acupuncture not only
relax the whole body, they
regulate serotonin in the brain
which plays a role in human and
animal disposition. This is why
depression is often treated with
Acupuncture. Some of the physiological effect
observed throughout the body
include increased circulation,
decreased inflammation, relief
from pain, relief of muscle
spasms and increased T-cell
count which stimulates the
immune system.
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What are the most commonly
treated ailments?
The most common ailments
presented to an acupuncturist
tend to be pain related
conditions. However as the
public becomes more educated
about the efficacies of
acupuncture and oriental
medicine, they are seeking
treatments for many complex
conditions with good results. The World Health Organization
has recognized that acupuncture
is suitable for treating the
following diseases:
Neurological and Musculoskeletal
Disorders
Headache and migraine,
trigeminal neuralgia, facial
palsy (early stage, within 3-6
months), paresis following
stroke, sequelae to
poliomyelitis (early stage,
within 6 months), meniere’s
disease, neurogenic bladder
dysfunction, nocturnal enuresis,
intercostal neuralgia,
cervicobrachial syndrome,
“Frozen shoulder”, “tennis
elbow”, sciatica, low back pain,
osteoarthritis.
Upper Respiratory Tract
Acute sinusitis, acute rhinitis,
common cold, acute tonsillitis.
Respiratory System
Acute bronchitis, bronchial
asthma (most effective in
children and in patients without
complicating diseases).
Disorders of the Eye
Acute conjunctivitis, central
retinitis, myopia (in children),
cataract (without
complications).
Disorders of the Mouth
Toothaches, post extraction
pain, gingivitis, acute and
chronic pharyngitis.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Spasms of esophagus and cardia,
hiccough, gastroptosis, acute
and chronic gastritis, gastric
hyperacidity, chronic duodenal
ulcer (pain relief), acute
duodenal ulcer (without
complication), acute and chronic
colitis, acute bacillary
dysentery, constipation,
diarrhea, paralytic ileus.
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Is Acupuncture covered by
insurance?
Many insurance companies now
offer policies that cover
Acupuncture and related services
performed by an Acupuncturist.
Check with your insurance
company to find out.
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How deep do the needles go?
Acupuncture points are located
near or on the surface of the
skin. Usually needles are
inserted from ¼ to 1 inch in
depth. Depth of insertion will
depend on nature of the
condition being treated, the
patient’s size, age and
constitution, and upon the
acupuncturist’s style or
experience.
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Does Acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are 25-50
times thinner than a hypodermic
needle. They are so thin that
several Acupuncture needles can
go into the middle of a
hypodermic needle. There is
little sensitivity to the
insertion of Acupuncture
needles. While some people feel nothing
at all, others experience a
brief moment of discomfort as
the needle penetrates the skin
that can be followed by a mild
sensation of cramping, tingling,
numbness, traveling warmth, or
heaviness. The needles are left
in place for twenty to forty
minutes. Most people find the
experience extremely relaxing
and uplifting and even fall
asleep for the duration of the
treatment.
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How many treatments will I
need?
The length, number and frequency
of treatments will vary. A
consultation with an experienced
practitioner about you and your
condition will offer the best
guide for the length of
treatment. Typical treatments last from 20
to 60 minutes, with the patient
being treated two times a week.
Generally, acute problems
require less time and frequency
of treatment and chronic or
severe ailment may require
several (or several dozen)
treatments.
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