Does it hurt?  How does it work?

These are the two most commonly questions asked about Acupuncture. And I will answer them, momentarily.

First of all, what is the point of Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a health treatment method of encouraging the body to promote and participate in its own innate ability to naturally self heal. Acupuncture helps the body to improve and optimally maintain all of its functions, biochemically, physically, emotionally and mentally.

It is a superb preventive and maintenance medicine that works excellently along side conventional medicine to effectively treat a wide variety of health disorders. In most, In most cases, the use of Acupuncture enhances and safely integrates with all other modalities of health care.

What is Acupuncture and how does it work? (Here are the ‘dry’ explanations)

The Western medicine Explanation: In summary, Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles (as thin as hair) into areas on the body, on or near the surface of the skin called Acupuncture points. When stimulated, these Acupuncture points have the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological functions, thus with the release of various hormones and neurotransmitters primarily from the brain, a wide variety of disorders that are physical, mental and emotional are affected and helped.

Anyone interested a in more in-depth scientific explanation and up to date research can check out this site:

*National Center for Alternative and Complementary medicine which is a division of the National Institutes of Health

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction.htm#introduction

The Eastern medicine explanation: We have a life energy flowing through our body which takes ON different forms and follows various and cyclical pathways called meridians, most of which are named after our organs. This life energy is called Qi. We also have an internal system of balance in our body which is described as Yin and Yang. Illness occurs when the Qi in the meridians becomes blocked or Yin and Yang become unbalanced. Needles inserted into the Acupuncture points can unblock the flow of Qi in the meridians and rebalance the activity of Yin and Yang.

Meridians can be likened to the pathways of the nerves, blood vessels and muscles where blockages quite often can occur. Yin and Yang can be likened to our hormonal and nervous system and how we respond and react physically and emotionally to our environment.

There are many interesting books and websites that explain more about Qi, meridians, Yin and Yang.

The earliest and most famous was written by Ted Kaptchuk , “The Web That Has No Weaver” . Ted Kaptchuk is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard University.

So, here is the ‘juicy explanation’ laced with my experiences as a practitioner.

First of all, as a Critical and Emergency Care RN AND Practitioner of Asian Medicine, I consider the body, the mind and the emotions to be integrally connected.

In all my years either in a hospital tending to the most extremely ill person and or in my office as an Acupuncturist caring for newborn babies to those who are dying I have seen over and over again how complete and miraculous we are as living beings. We can’t be separated out into sections. Disease and illness are rarely just an outside invasion that can be separated from our will, our emotions or from other parts of our body.

Even when I had a patient in the Critical Care Unit who was completely anesthesized, on a breathing machine, on a heart pump,.. even when it was my job to continually adjust five different IV drugs that were meant to kill bacterial or fungal infections , or keep the heart pumping, or keep blood pressure up or down, even then…I still was forced to stand back and hope that this person, connected to all these devices and drips and pumps and beeps and alarms, was going to choose to get well and live. Although my skill gave that person more of a chance to choose recovery and life, I knew that ultimately it wasn’t my choice or my doing.

Asian Medicine embraces the view that our emotions and mental functions are entwined with, influenced by, and in turn have influence over our biochemistry every second of our existence. An Acupuncturist treats with an understanding of the intimate connection of the mind and the emotions with the body.

Does it really work?

Yes, it does, but like any medicine, sometimes it’s not very effective or not a total cure. There is plenty of research to support the effectiveness of Acupuncture including a study I was involved in with Stanford Research Center which I will present in a future article.

I often treat Western medical nurses and sometimes doctors who have told me that they are only trying Acupuncture because I am also a nurse. Many have told me that they really don’t ‘believe in Acupuncture’ I always say to them “that’s OK, you don’t have to believe in Acupuncture, the needles will work for you anyway” Several of these very same medical practitioners have been pleased and surprised with the results, and have stated that along with physical changes, they also experienced deep seated emotionally moving results. This is an illustration of the profound healing influence Acupuncture can have in reducing and changing the physical and emotional effects of stress.

Even Western Medicine makes the correlation of emotions related to stress as affecting the body detrimentally, which is why antidepressants and anti anxiety medications are being prescribed in the millions. Acupuncture is a much better and healthier way to go than staying on pharmaceuticals for years.

Acupuncture has no side effects. There is no withdrawal when you stop. Acupuncture doesn’t react with medications or cause allergic reactions.

What can Acupuncture treat?

If you aren’t having problems, Acupuncture is terrific preventive maintenance medicine when received monthly or seasonally for people of all ages, from newborn to the elderly. Often combined with the use of needles or instead of needles, I will use massage techniques, warming techniques called moxabustion, cupping, or gua sha. All of which are easy to find demos on youtube these days.

The list of disorders Acupuncture can help, most of which is backed up by research, is otherwise quite long. Pain has always been at the top of the list, but again, this is a very thorough medicine and treats so much more than just pain. It is about getting to the root of any disorder, so that true healing can occur.

Acupuncture is documented to have terrific results treating the following and much more:

Musculoskeletal disorders, migraines, infertility, menstrual disorders, mental and emotional imbalances such as depression and anxiety, sleep disorders, nausea and fatigue side effects of medical treatment for cancer, autoimmune disorders, digestive disorders, coughs, colds and flus, ear nose and throat disorders, high blood pressure, anemia, addictions, to name a few.

Future articles will cover certain ailments in detail.

Often, I have seen Acupuncture be the beginning point of a process that can break a vicious cycle of poor choices causing ill health, deterioration and emotional imbalance. The effects begin deep within as a person’s hormones, nervous system and the digestive system begin to improve. A well-being begins to occur in that person which leads to the ‘side effect’ of that person being able to make healthier choices.

OK, Finally…. So does it hurt?

Ahh, the $69 question…. Mostly, no, it does not hurt. In fact the needle itself going in is so small, that a person often won’t even feel it at all.

Sometimes an Acupuncturist really needs to achieve a result, especially when treating significant pain. This may mean that once the needle is inserted, the Acupuncturist will slightly ‘wiggle’ the needle which can cause a little funny feeling or slight discomfort like a heaviness or a feeling of grabbing that isn’t necessarily painful. Needles should never hurt once inserted and left unwiggled.

So this is it for an introduction for now. I am happy to hear comments or answer questions. Feel free to respond here on Shorelineoutandabout.com or if you should have more personal questions you can email me at maggie@nianticacupuncture.com

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