Webster's defines Acupuncture as "An original Chinese practice of puncturing the body to cure disease or relieve pain." The practice of acupuncture dates back as far as 5000 years ago, and is based on the theory that internal energy of a human body flows through 14 pathways called meridians. If someone enters a clinic in China complaining of a migraine headache, a Chinese doctor would choose certain acupuncture points to "release" a blockage of the energy to relieve the migraine.
- ARE THERE DIFFERENT STYLES OF ACUPUNCTURE?
- What conditions will it treat?
- What is the typical length of treatment?
- WILL THE TREATMENT HURT?
- What are the needles made of? Are they sterile?
- HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
- ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS TO THE TREATMENT?
- DOES ACUPUNCTURE REALLY WORK?
- IS ACUPUNCTURE COVERED BY HEALTH INSURANCE?
- Is there a license required to practice?
- What is Herbology?
ARE THERE DIFFERENT STYLES OF ACUPUNCTURE?
There are Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and French styles of acupuncture which vary widely in theory and technique. The Japanese use very small (diameter) needles with shallow insertion, the Chinese use thicker needles and deeper insertion compared with the Japanese; the Koreans tend to use mainly acupuncture points on the hands and the French use the meridian pathways for much of their healing.
Back to Top
What conditions will it treat?
Some of the many conditions for which acupuncture is considered appropriate are listed by the World Health Organization of the United Nations:
| INFECTIONS | EYES-EARS-NOSE-THROAT | DERMATOLOGICAL | MUSCULO-SKELETAL AND NEUROLOGIC | GENITO-URINARY AND REPRODUCTIVE | MENTAL-EMOTIONAL | |||||
| Colds and flu Bronchitis Hepatitis INTERNAL Hypoglycemia Asthma High blood pressure Ulcers Colitis Indigestion Hemorrhoids Diarrhea Constipation Diabetes |
Deafness Ringing in the ears Earaches Poor eyesight Dizziness Sinus infection Sore throat Hay fever |
Eczema Acne Herpes |
Arthritis Neuralgia Sciatica Back pain Bursitis Tendonitis Stiff neck Bell's palsy Trigeminal neuralgia Headache Stroke Cerebral palsy Polio Sprains |
Impotence Infertility PMS Pelvic inflammatory disease Vaginitis Irregular period or cramps Morning sickness |
Anxiety Depression Stress Insomnia |
Are there ailments acupuncture isn't effective to treat?
Cancer is not treatable by acupuncture, although it is effective in resolving the nausea associated with chemotherapy treatment. AIDS also does not respond to acupuncture, although acupuncture can be used to boost the immune system, it cannot reverse the effects of HIV.
Back to Top
What is the typical length of treatment?
The first treatment can take 1 1/2 to 2 hours for the intake interview and medical history. A typical treatment lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Back to Top
WILL THE TREATMENT HURT?
The needles used for treatment are typically 5 times the diameter of a human hair and are painless on insertion. Sometimes the patient may feel a little "pinch" like a mosquito bite and may also feel heaviness or an aching sensation at the point of insertion.
Back to Top
What are the needles made of? Are they sterile?
Acupuncture needles are made of stainless steel and are sterilized and pre-packaged. These needles are disposable and used only once.
Back to Top
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
The exact number of treatments depends on what your specific illness is and how long you've had it. Someone with lower back pain for 5 months will typically be pain-free in 6 treatments. If that person has had back pain for 5 YEARS, they will probably require more treatments.
Back to Top
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS TO THE TREATMENT?
Acupuncture has NO DOCUMENTED side effects. There are, however, POSITIVE side-effects to acupuncture. The most common are improved quality of sleep, increased energy level, and reduction in stress levels.
Back to Top
DOES ACUPUNCTURE REALLY WORK?
In the late 1950's, the Chinese government was going to transition from "Traditional Chinese Medicine" (Acupuncture and Herbology) to Western medicine for basis of their health care system. The academic and clinical communities worked together to run well controlled studies of the effectiveness of acupuncture on different diseases and pain syndromes. A government panel studied the results of the tests and decided to integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western Medicine for their health care system. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has sponsored countless studies on the efficacy of Acupuncture in treating a variety of illnesses.
Back to Top
IS ACUPUNCTURE COVERED BY HEALTH INSURANCE?
More health plans are adopting acupuncture therapy in their coverage as more consumers are turning to alternative medicine to improve their health. Ask your insurance representative about coverage. If you have a deductible, most companies will accept the treatment costs toward the deductible.
Back to Top
Is there a license required to practice?
Most states in the US require passing a board examination to be licensed. Some states just require a practitioner to graduate from an accredited program. You will see either LAc (Licensed Acupuncturist), MAc (Master of Acucupunture), Dipl Ac (Diplomat of Acupuncture), or OMD (Doctor of Oriental Medicine) after a practitioner's name.
Back to Top
What is Herbology?
Herbology is Chinese Pharmacology. Various herbs, roots, and decoctions are made for specific ailments. Chinese herbs tend to be less concentrated than western prescription medications. BEWARE -- herbs can interact with prescription and non-prescription drugs. If you are taking herbs, you should make your physician aware of what specific type and how much you are taking.
