What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a complete medical system which has evolved over the last 5ooo years. Acupuncturists have used this healthcare system to diagnose and treat millions of people in a safe, painless, and effective way with a focus upon regaining health and addressing a variety of conditions. Acupuncture is based on an energetic model that encourages your body’s natural healing abilities. Acupuncture strengthens and improves overall function, enhances recuperative power and immunity, and enables you to regain and enjoy physical and emotional health. Acupuncture produces results by re-establishing balance and ensuring the continuous flow of vital life energy, called Qi (pronounced “chee”).
Qi is energy which circulates within the body. It is the animating force that provides you with the ability to talk, walk, think, metabolize, dream, and love. Qi also protects you from illness, pain and discomfort, keeping you strong and healthy. Qi circulates through specific pathways called meridians. There are 14 main meridian pathways traveling throughout your body; each one is connected to an organ system. Meridian pathways are like rivers. When the river flows, it transports life-giving waters, nourishing the land and people around it. Like rivers, wherever your meridian pathways flow, they bring life-giving Qi to nourish every cell, organ, and tissue in your body. An obstruction of Qi in your body is like a dam. When Qi becomes “backed up” in one part of your body, it restricts the flow in other areas. Hindering the flow of Qi circulating within your meridian pathways can lead to pain and illness. Acupuncture releases Qi to flow freely to replenish and restore your health.
What causes Qi to get stuck?
Physical or emotional strain, trauma, stress, lack of exercise, overexertion, seasonal changes, poor diet, accidents, excessive activity, or weakness can all lead to blockages of Qi. They contribute to the disruption of the proper quality, quantity, and balance of Qi flowing through the meridian pathways. Normally, when blockages occur, your body can bounce back easily, returning to balance and health. But when the disruption to Qi is prolonged or excessive, or if your body is in a weakened state, illness, pain, or disease can set in.
What are the benefits to acupuncture?
While acupuncture is widely known to relieve pain, it is also very helpful for a wide variety of chronic conditions. Acupuncture facilitates healing to the body’s optimum degree. Therefore, most people notice an alleviation or reduction in the frequency or severity of symptoms, or notice a slowing in the progression of an illness. Again, traditional acupuncture helps with our emotional selves, which plays a major role in our ability to heal and to handle the stresses of illness.
What does an acupuncturist do?
During the initial exam your acupuncturist will take a full health history including questions about your symptoms, health, and lifestyle. Your acupuncturist may check pulses and your tongue and may also conduct a physical exam. There are 12 pulse positions on each wrist. Each position corresponds to a specific meridian and organ. Your acupuncturist will be looking for 27 individual qualities that reflect your overall health. If there are any problems, they may appear in the pulse. The tongue is a map of the body. It reflects the general health of the organs and meridians. Your acupuncturist will look at the color, shape, cracks and coating on your tongue. This information is then organized to create a complete, accurate and comprehensive diagnosis of where Qi has become blocked or imbalanced.
After the initial visit, you may receive an acupuncture treatment. The acupuncturist will place fine, sterile needles at specific points along your meridian pathways. Needles are extremely fine, very smooth, and the insertion and extraction are virtually painless. The safe and painless insertion of the needle unblocks the obstruction of your meridians. Releasing this blockage allows the Qi to circulate freely, eliminating pain and restoring the body’s ability to heal itself.
Where the acupuncture needle has been inserted, you may experience a vague numbness, heaviness, tingling or dull ache. Sometimes people experience a sensation of energy spreading and moving around the needle. This is called the “Qi sensation”. All these reactions are good and a sign that the treatment is working. After treatment, you may feel energized or may experience a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.
Subsequent treatments are typically necessary for 6-8 weeks and then will gradually reduce in frequency. This varies among individuals and depends on the length and severity of your health issues. Chronic conditions usually take longer to resolve than acute ones. Plan on a minimum of a month to see significant changes.
How safe is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is extremely safe. It is an all-natural, drug-free therapy, with no side effects except feelings of relaxation and well-being. Acupuncturists receive 3 to 4 years of extensive and comprehensive graduate training at nationally certified schools. All acupuncturists must pass a national exam and meet strict guidelines to practice. Acupuncture needles are made of the highest quality, solid surgical steel. They are sterile, used once, and then discarded.
Will my insurance cover acupuncture?
Insurance coverage varies. Contact your insurance provider to learn what kind of care is covered. Here are a few questions to ask:
- Will my plan cover acupuncture?
- How many visits per calendar year?
- Do I need a referral?
- Do I have a co-pay?
- Do I have a deductible? If yes, has it been met?