What is Acupuncture ?

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. Acupuncture therapy describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical locations on the skin (acupuncture points) by a variety of techniques. Acupuncture techniques include classical needling with thin, solid, metallic needles, as well as acupressure and some modern techniques such as mild electrical stimulation and laser stimulation. Sometimes heat, generated by burning moxa, is also used with acupuncture needling to stimulate acupuncture points. This technique is called moxibustion.

How does Acupuncture Work ?

Traditional Chinese medicine describes the vital energy force, called Qi (pronounced chee), circulating in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to nourish the tissue. An obstruction in the movement of the Qi river is like a dam that backs up the flow in one part of the body and restricts the flow in other parts. An obstruction or deficiencies of the invisible Qi would lead to dysfunction and disease. Meridian system can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points on the surface of the body. Acupuncture stimulation unblocks the obstructions at the dams and reestablishes the regular flow through the meridians. Therefore, acupuncture treatment can help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances as well as to promote functioning and energy production.

Modern biomedical science explains the analgesia effect of acupuncture in the following ways. Needling of acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals, particularly endorphin, enkephalins and dynorphins, will either change the experience of pain, or trigger the release of other chemicals to modulate the perception of pain and the physiological function of the neural-endocrine-hormonal system. Acupuncture treatment improves energy flow and biochemical balance by stimulating the body's natural healing abilities that result in promoting physical and emotional well being.

What Conditions are Successfully Treated with Acupuncture ?

World Health Organization published a list of conditions that can be treated by acupuncture: gastrointestinal Disorders, such as food allergies, peptic ulcer, chronic diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastrointestinal weakness, anorexia and gastritis; urogenital disorders, including stress incontinence, urinary tract infections, and sexual dysfunction; gynecological disorders, such as irregular, heavy, or painful menstruation, infertility in women and men, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS); respiratory disorders, such as emphysema, sinusitis, asthma, allergies and bronchitis; disorders of the bones, muscles, joints and nervous system, such as arthritis, migraine headaches, neuralgia, insomnia, dizziness and low back, neck and shoulder pain; circulatory disorders, such as hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis and anemia; emotional and psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety; addictions, such as alcohol, nicotine and drugs; eye, ear, nose and throat disorders; supportive therapy for other chronic and painful debilitating disorders.

Acupuncture applications commonly seen in the United States include pain related conditions, such as low back pain, neck ache, neuromuscular shoulder pain, headache, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis and dental pain. Other common applications include nausea and vomiting, asthma, addictions, anxiety and depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, ADHD and mood disorder, PMS and menopause, etc.

How Safe is Acupuncture ?

Acupuncture is a drug free therapy and avoids many of the side effects and dependencies associated with medication. Infections through acupuncture needles are rare because of using disposable needles. Acupuncture is often used along with other medical care to increase their benefits. Patients should always inform their doctor of medications they are currently taking and whether or not they are or could be pregnant. In addition, it is not recommended to provide acupuncture treatment to patients with cardiac pacemakers.

What is a Typical Acupuncture Session?

At the very first visit, the patient will be evaluated according to traditional Chinese medicine. A treatment plan will be made specifically for the patient. Acupuncture needles are very thin and solid and are made from stainless steel. The point is smooth and the insertion through the skin is not as painful as injections or blood sampling. Most patients feel only minimal pain as the needles are inserted into the skin. Some people feel no pain at all. Once the needles are in place, there is no pain felt. In stead, you may feel soreness, heaviness and distention which shows that the acupuncture is in effect. Up to about 15 acupuncture needles are usually used in a single treatment and it may last about 20 minutes. The patient will be asked to re-visit two to three times a week for about two to six weeks. For complex or long-standing conditions, several months may be recommended. Acupuncture effect can be accumulated through the treatment sections and usually seen after one or two visits. Sometimes Chinese herbal formula is prescribed if it is necessary. Herbs combined with acupuncture will definitely strengthen therapeutic effect and accelerate the recovery.

What is Chinese Herbal Medicine ?

Chinese herbal medicine is the major modality of the traditional Chinese medicine. Here in the States, herbs belong to the category of food supplement according to FDA's regulation. Herbs are a variety of naturally found products having medicinal properties and adding to the healthful benefits of acupuncture and other therapies. The way Chinese doctors use herbs is different from that of Westerners. Chinese herbs are used following Chinese medical theory and usually prescribed according to the patient's specific pattern of disharmony, not specific disease. Therefore, the patients with the same disease may not be prescribed with the same herbal formula. The goal of herbal formula is to help the body balance itself and the self-healing system of the body will work to heal the disease. Therefore, prescribing the right formula for each individual patient needs professional training. Do-It-Yourself is not working for Chinese herbs.

How to Take Chinese Herbs ?

Herbal formulas can be taken in a variety of ways. If raw herbs are prescribed, the patient will be asked to prepare the herbal tea at home. Herbal tea is believed to be the most effective form of the herbs. Since some herbs are not very tasty, pills and capsules are also prescribed. Besides, concentrated extract of raw herb is also available in the market. For over thousands of years, Chinese herbs have proven to be very effective towards a variety of clinical conditions.

For more information about acupuncture and Chinese herbs please refer to

Frequently Asked Questions about Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine.

 

Chinese Medicine Related Articles by Dr. Hong

Asthma

ADD/ADHD

High Blood Pressure

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Menopause

Migraine Headache

Stop Smoking

 About Traditional Chinese Medicine