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ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is an essential part of traditional
Oriental medicine, which is a comprehensive system of health care with a
continuous clinical history of over 3,000 years.
How does it work?
These therapies work with the natural vital
energy called Qi (Chi) inherent within all living things. The Qi flows
through a network of channels throughout the body. Acupuncture regulates this
flow of vital energy by directing it to areas of deficiency and draining it from
areas of excess. In this way it regulates and restores the energetic balance so
that the body can heal itself. This system of health care is used
extensively by one-quarter of the world's population residing in Asia and is
rapidly growing in popularity in the West. A Dr. Huii had studied acupuncture
effects using MRI studies and found that unequivocally acupuncture has modulating
effects on deep structures in the brain. It seems it has an effect on the
body's limbic system, the emotional core of the human nervous system.
(Traditional Chinese Medicine World, Winter 2002, Vol.4. no.4)
What can I expect?
Acupuncture utilizes needles and acupuncture points on the
body for treatment. There are over 360 acupuncture points on the body, each
with its own specific function. The use of
electro-acupuncture, moxibustion, and/or cupping may also be incorporated in the
treatment session. A licensed acupuncturist has been trained
in the philosophy behind choosing the points that are appropriate for the person
on that day depending on what the primary concerns are. In some cases,
Chinese
herbal medicine, exercise, lifestyle changes, and/or nutritional counseling may also
be recommended.
Is acupuncture painful?
Acupuncture needles are very fine and flexible,
about the diameter of a human hair. They bear no resemblance to the
feeling of receiving an injection, which occurs with a higher-diameter hollow
needle and with medication being forced into the tissue by pressure. The
acupuncture needles are sterile and are disposable. In most cases, the
insertion of a needle by a skilled acupuncturist is performed without
discomfort. You may experience a sense of heaviness or electricity in the
area of insertion, which signifies that the Qi is flowing. Most patients
find the treatments very relaxing and many fall asleep during treatment. In some cases,
medicinal herbs, exercise, and lifestyle or dietary changes may be
recommended.
What are the effects of treatment?
Possible effects of an acupuncture treatment are:
a feeling of calm and balance, a deep and restful sleep, more energy, and the
ability to handle stress more creatively. Many conditions such as pain may
be alleviated very rapidly by acupuncture and Oriental medicine. However,
some conditions that have arisen over a course of years will be relieved only
with slow, steady treatment. As in any form of healing, your attitude,
diet, determination, and lifestyle will affect the outcome of a course of
treatment. Patients are encouraged to actively participate in their
healing process. Note that in this day and age there are circumstances,
such as an acute infection, that can be dealt with more effectively by Western
medicine. In such cases you will be referred to a Western medical doctor.
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