Acupuncture is a complex branch of ancient Chinese medicine, but its practical principles and methods are easily understood. There are 14 major energy channels called meridians course through the human body including the head, arms, hands, legs, feet, torso and internal organs. The subtle energy called Chi circulates via the meridians to all parts of the body, even the most remote cells. Chi is the vital force, the presence of which separates the living from the dead. Its balanced, unimpeded flow is critical to sound health. Any misdirection, blockage, or other derangement of the amount, flow, or balance of Chi may result in pain, dysfunction, and ill health. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The general theory of acupuncture is based on the premise that there are patterns of energy flow (Qi) through the body that are essential for health. Disruptions of this flow are believed to be responsible for disease. Acupuncture may, it has been theorized, correct imbalances of flow at identifiable points close to the skin. Acupuncture is a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical locations on or in the skin by a variety of techniques. There are a variety of approaches to diagnosis and treatment in American acupuncture that incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The most thoroughly studied mechanism of stimulation of acupuncture points employs penetration of the skin by thin, solid, metallic needles, which are manipulated manually or by electrical stimulation. If needed we can employ 0.12mm, 0.14mm, 0.16mm or 0.20mm needles and will demonstrate that acupuncture needles are not painful as you thought . |
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After reviewing the existing body of knowledge, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed acupuncture needles from the category of "experimental medical devices." The FDA now regulates acupuncture needles, just as it does other devices such as surgical scalpels and hypodermic syringes, under good manufacturing practices and single-use standards of sterility. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Program was established in 1977 and is designed to assess health technology. The program organizes major conferences that produce consensus statements and technology assessment statements on controversial issues in medicine important to health care providers, patients, and the general public. The following statement is from the NIH Consensus Development Statement on Acupuncture on November 3-5, 1997. |
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Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely practiced in the United States. There have been many studies of its potential usefulness. However, many of these studies provide equivocal results because of design, sample size, and other factors. The issue is further complicated by inherent difficulties in the use of appropriate controls, such as placebo and sham acupuncture groups. However, promising results have emerged, for example, efficacy of acupuncture in adult post-operative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in post-operative dental pain. There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma where acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program. |
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Findings from basic research have begun to elucidate the mechanisms of action of acupuncture, including the release of opioids and other peptides in the central nervous system and the periphery and changes in neuroendocrine function. Although much needs to be accomplished, the emergence of plausible mechanisms for the therapeutic effects of acupuncture is encouraging. There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture's value to expand its use into conventional medicine and to encourage further studies of its physiology and clinical value. This statement is representative of the opinions of current standard medical practice. Call us and let us show you what acupuncture can do for you. |
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Are there any "DO's" and "DONT's" on the day of treatment? Yes. To enhance the value of a treatment, the following guidelines are important: • Do not eat an unusually large meal immediately before or after your treatment. How long does each treatment take? How often and how many times will I need to be treated? Does acupuncture, in any possibility, transmit infectious diseases, such as AIDS, Hepatitis, etc...? Why does acupuncture work? Does acupuncture deaden or block the nerve? Is there any danger of acupuncture? |
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