Acupuncture

According to classical doctrines of Chinese Medicine, there is an unceasing flow of “life energy” called Qi and pronounced “Chee” throughout all living things.  In humans, Qi originates in internal organs and circulates through channels called meridians, eventually returning to pool in the organs.  When the flow of Qi is regular, balanced and smooth one is healthy.  If the flow is blocked, diverted, or the balance disturbed so that Qi becomes depleted or excessive, disease develops.

There are hundreds of points along the meridians, acupuncture points, where the energy flow can be restored, stimulated, regulated, or balanced.  By placing thin needles in carefully selected points, Qi can be normalized and health is restored.  The acupuncturist may stimulate the needle with very small movement to stimulate the Qi.

In some cases, tiny electrical currents are applied to the needles to stimulate Qi flow.  This is electro-acupuncture.

In other cases, an herb, called Moxa, is placed on the needle or over the point and burned.  Moxabustion warms the point and strengthens Qi flow.

Sometimes, just finger pressure is placed on points or along entire meridians to apply “Acupressure”.

Most patients find the treatment very relaxing which brings on a feeling of well-being.   Many fall asleep once the needles are in place.  As a sign of “Obtaining the Qi” patients may feel a sensation of heaviness, soreness, numbness, or dull ache at or near the needles or along the meridians, nerves or muscles associated with the point.  Needle insertion is usually painless.  Beneficial effects can usually be felt after the first treatment, but in some cases the effects are subtle with a slowly noticeable return to health.

“Acupuncture focuses on a holistic, energy based approach to the patient, rather than a disease oriented diagnostic and treatment model.”

National Institute of Health 1997 Consensus Statement on Acupuncture.

In California, Acupuncturists must study all of oriental medicine, including herbal medicine, massage, exercise therapy,  dietary  therapy, traditional diagnosis and theory as well as acupuncture.  They also take courses in western medicine. This takes four academic years.  Some, like, Dr. Pearce, also intern in teaching hospitals in China.  All continue their education to maintain  licensure.

Whether cure is rapid or slow depends on the severity of the condition, the length of time the condition has existed, and the general state of health of the patient.

A typical course of treatment lasts five to ten sessions.  Treatments may be daily or every other day at first and then space out as recovery advances.

Nutritional counseling or herbs may be prescribed in conjunction with treatment to enhance recovery.

Traditionally, in countries where Acupuncture has been practiced for centuries, people seek treatment “tune ups” to maintain optimum health yearly or more frequently.

Acupuncture is performed with disposable needles which are used only once.  This assures no risk of infection for patients.

Side effects of acupuncture may include bruising at the needle insertion point.  Occasionally, as part of the treatment, a small drop of blood will be squeezed from the point.  As the NIH stated in 1997:

“One of the advantages of Acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower than that of many drugs or other accepted medical procedures used for the same conditions. “