Dear Friends:
Welcome! Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine are growing rapidly as a preferred and natural family medicine. Here is some information on it that we hope you will find helpful:
A Brief Introduction to Acupuncture
What is it?
Acupuncture is a medical system that promotes natural healing and aids in strengthening the immune system. It can treat both acute and chronic conditions, and helps to prevent disease, control pain and enhance recuperative power. It dates back over 3,000 years as a primary health care system in China, and is now widespread throughout Asia, Europe and the U.S.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Thin, solid, sterile stainless steel acupuncture needles are used to stimulate specific anatomical locations through a variety of techniques. The acupuncturist opens or closes specific "gates" or points grouped along certain lines of energy flow called meridians, which go deep into the body. The meridians are like rivers which irrigate and nourish the body. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up the flow in one part of the body and restricts it in others.
Disease is prevented or treated by stimulating or reducing the flow of vital energy or "qi" by needling specific points on the body. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.
There are many modern scientific theories regarding the mechanics of acupuncture. Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system. The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating the body's natural healing abilities, and in promoting physical and emotional well-being. The field of bioelectric-magnetism further indicates that the meridians store electrical charges, and that the therapeutic effects of acupuncture may come from its ability to locally or distally discharge potential differences.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments needed differs from person to person. For complex or long-standing conditions, weekly or every-other-week treatments for several months may be recommended. For acute problems, usually fewer visits are required. For health maintenance, four sessions per year may be all that is necessary.
Do the needles hurt?
People experience acupuncture differently. Most feel no pain or only minimal sensation as the needles are inserted. Once the needles are in place, there is usually no pain. There may be other sensations that occur in the body, however, such as a feeling of tingling or traveling warmth, itchiness, or pulsations. It is quite common to have a sensation of deep relaxation.
What can I expect with acupuncture?
Often relief from symptoms is felt immediately, although relief may occur in the following days (or weeks) depending on the severity of symptoms. You will find you will look forward to treatment for the many benefits that are received from acupuncture.
Many who have lived with their condition for several years believe they will just have to make do. Others live with pain thinking that "someday" it will go away. Acupuncture has succeeded in many such cases where other treatments have not. You can expect acupuncture treatments to help optimize your health.
If you have any further questions about acupuncture, please feel free to ask us or call us. We are happy to discuss your situation and explore ways that acupuncture may benefit you.
A Brief Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicine
What is it?
Custom-written herbal prescriptions are designed to treat individual patterns as well as specific symptoms or disease patterns. Herbs are combined in each formula with great attention to detail. Chinese herbs are combined to enhance their individual properties and actions. Formulas are designed on a case-by-case basis, and your formula is modified regularly, sometimes even weekly, depending on the current condition.
Chinese herbal medicine may include vegetable, animal and mineral ingredients, but the majority are derived from vegetable sources. Leaves, flowers, twigs, stems, roots, tubers, rhizomes and barks are among the vegetable parts used.
How long does it take to see the results?
In acute conditions, results can be expected very quickly, within the same day, sometimes in a matter of minutes. In chronic conditions, results should be seen within two weeks, although chronic conditions may require taking Chinese herbal medicine for a long period of time.
How are the Diagnosis and Treatment determined?
On your first visit, your practitioner will listen carefully to you in an extensive interview which provides vital clues to an overall pattern. Your acupuncturist will feel the subtle variations in the pulses in the wrist to determine a wealth of information about how the body is functioning. Sound of the voice, condition of the tongue, smell, overall appearance of face and skin, emotions-all are important indicators of your condition. Particular patterns are discerned to determine which specific points on the body to use.
The information provided on these pages is provided as a courtesy. TogetherInHealth, LLC makes no guarantees concerning the effectiveness of this information. In no event shall TogetherInHealth or Alice Lee be held liable for any failure of such information.
