Information About Acupuncture
 
     What is Acupuncture?
     How Does Acupuncture Work?
     Does Acupuncture Hurt?
     Acupuncture and Modern Medicine
     Summary
 
What is Acupuncture? 
     Acupuncture originated in China over 3,000 years ago and is part of the larger system of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is based on Taoist theory.  Traditional Chinese Medicine includes philosophy, theory and diagnosis, and treats using acupuncture, Chinese medicinal herbs, Tui Na massage and other modalities.  Acupuncture uses very slender surgical steel disposable needles which are gently inserted into the body at specific and safe locations. 

Acupuncture is used to:
     Treat Injuries and Illnesses.
     Prevent the development and recurrence of Illness.
     Balance the Qi energy within an otherwise healthy body.
 
How Does Acupuncture Work?
     According to Traditional Chinese Medical theory, there is a natural flow of energy in the body that follows well-defined pathways.  These pathways are called meridians and the energy is called Qi (pronounced "Chee").  Each of these meridians, which are like rivers of Qi energy flowing on the surface of the body, passes through organ systems deep within the body.  During an illness, injury or disease state, the normal Qi flow within the meridians or the organs is affected.  The Qi can become blocked, or made overly excited and excess, or can be made weak and deficient.  By placing acupuncture needles at specific points along the affected meridians, the Qi can be moved, calmed or nourished, returning the body to a state of balance, and enhancing the body's ability to heal itself.

Typically I treat patients using pulse and tongue constitutional diagnosis.  I determine the imbalances within the body and use acupuncture and herbs (and sometimes moxabustion, massage, cupping, etc.) to make corrections. 
 
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
     In general acupuncture does not hurt.  My technique is gentle and careful, and if a needle feels as though it is becoming uncomfortable, I withdraw the needle and try in a slightly different place - this usually takes care of any discomfort.  Acupuncture needles are extremely fine and are most often felt as a slight pressure or heaviness, or not felt at all.  If it is your first time, and you are nervous please let me know.   You will find after your first needle that you have nothing to worry about.

Acupuncture and Modern Medicine
     There exists an overwhelming body of research offering opinions on the efficacy of acupuncture and "how it works" according to western medical models.  There is still no consensus among the medical community on how acupuncture works, although several theories have gained popularity including the idea that acupuncture stimulates the release of naturally occurring opiates from the brain, known as endorphins or enkephalins, and these naturally occurring substances are part of the bodies own healing process.  Another theory states that the vasodilatation caused by the placement of needles supports the natural process of healing.  I feel that neither of these, nor any of the other Western theories explains satisfactorily the amazing effects that acupuncture can produce. 
     It is my opinion that since Chinese Medicine considers the entire being when developing a diagnosis and treatment, uncovering the mechanism of acupuncture with a western eye through the limited perspective of "a microscope" will never reveal the answer.  And it may be that the western mentality's struggle to understand acupuncture is due to it's resistance to the idea that the body has, with gentle guidance over time, the capacity to heal itself without drugs and surgeries.
     In any case, even though western medicine is undecided as to how acupuncture works, there is general consensus that it does work.  Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) agree that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of many ailments.  Please see the section included on the opinions of the NIH and the WHO for more information.
 
Summary
     Traditional Chinese Medicine including acupuncture is an empirical science, with an accumulated knowledge-base that has developed according to what has worked for billions of patients treated by millions of doctors over thousands of years.  It is philosophically based on eastern ideas that are foreign to most western minds, but the results cannot be argued against.  In the west, acupuncture and Chinese Medicine provide a unique and holistic approach to healthfulness and to the treatment and prevention of disease and injury, because ultimately Chinese Medicine relies on the body's innate ability to heal rather than drugs, surgeries and other intrusive therapies.  Although there is an important place for western medicine in treating many human ailments, eastern medicine provides a less intrusive and more harmonious and long lasting solution to many of the health problems that affect many of us.