What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a medical system that has been used in China and other Oriental countries for thousands of years, to treat diseases and promote general health. Acupuncture can remedy acute or chronic ailments, relieve pain, enhance recuperative powers, and strengthen the immune system. Chinese medical doctors and acupuncturists differentiate conditions with a thorough examination, which includes an interpretation through medical history, pulse, and tongue diagnosis. Chinese medicine believes that the human body, is an energetic body, through which the vital energy ("Chi" in Chinese) constantly flows in 14 meridians. When the Qi flows freely, your body is healthy; when the flow of Qi is blocked the symptoms of diseases appear. ACUPUNCTURE is to insert needles in the selected points of selected meridians to release blockage and to promote the Qi to flow freely. In turn it stops pain and cures the disease. The acupuncturist may also use the following adjunct techniques in their treatment: Moxibustion (heat), Cupping (suction), Auricular Therapy (ear acupuncture), electrical or laser stimulation, or even manual manipulation of the points. Chinese medical doctors also like to prescribe herbal supplements to assist the effect of acupuncture treatment.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

It has been determined that the human body is a bio-energetic system. When the balance of this energy is disturbed, pain or illness results. Acupuncture treatment corrects the energetic imbalance by encouraging the body's natural ability to heal itself, without the use of drugs or surgery. The needles are placed on selected points of selected meridians to help energy move along or to get balance back. Scientific studies from both the east and west also established that acupuncture treatment stimulates the release of morphine-like substance, endorphin, in brain to help stop pain. Acupuncture also regulates the release of hormones, neuropathies, and neurotransmitters, particularly at the level of hypothalamus and pituitary gland this is why acupuncture may help many other conditions such as women's hormonal problems including infertility.

What are the needles like?

Acupuncture needles are solid, not hollow like needles used by doctors. They are small and hair-thin and can literally be bent with your pinky.

How many sessions do I need for treatment?

It depends. Acupuncturists determine the frequency and duration of treatment based on how long and how severe your condition is; and how you respond to the treatment. In this clinic, generally, twice a week for first 3-5 weeks and once a week for the following 2-4 weeks is required for chronic conditions. In the best cases, 2-3 treatments eliminate the pain that people have suffered for years.

What is the treatment like? Does it hurt?

Extremely fine, hair-thin, flexible needles are placed through a guiding tube at specific points on the meridians. Acupuncture points on extremities are frequently used. When the needles are inserted you may experience a sensation of tingling or warmth. As the acupuncture needles are very thin they are sometimes called painless needles, nothing the similar to the needles nurses use for shots. People are surprised to find that treatments are actually quite relaxing. Each treatment lasts for about 30-45 minutes.

What will I feel during the acupuncture treatment?

The acupuncturist selects appropriate points for their specific actions in relationship to the identified disharmony. Acupuncture needles are so fine that the prick of the needle as it goes through the skin is barely felt. When the acupuncturist inserts the needle and it reaches the required depth and touches the flow of Qi in the meridian, a very remarkable thing happens. This is a distinctive sensation which is often described as a dull, aching pain to a tingling "shock". The local area needled may begin to feel heavy, and the sensation of the needling may travel along the line of the meridian. The effect can thus spread beyond the local area. This sensation is known as 'De Qi' and indicates to both practitioner and patient that the point has been accurately located. The sensation only lasts for a second or two, even if the needles are left in for some time. Many patients comment that having needles was nothing like as bad as they had imagined. The patient may feel a bit tired or washed out shortly after a treatment, but this usually passes quite quickly. Some people are more responsive to needling than others and may experience the sensations and discomfort to a much greater degree. However, responsiveness to needling is not in itself indicative that acupuncture is working well, and patients who experience little or no sensation should not feel that acupuncture is not working. Depending on the treatment principle, the acupuncturist may or may not offer further stimulation to the needle once it is in place. This may cause the needling sensation to be re-experienced. However, people vary in their reactions to acupuncture and some of these effects may be minimal or totally absent in some patients.