About Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an integral part of Chinese medicine, a system that is over 3,000 years old. This system of medicine and health care also includes Chinese herbology and bodywork, exercise and dietary therapy.

Acupuncture works on balancing our life force energy known as Qi (pronounced CHEE). This Qi flows along specific pathways called meridians. Each meridian is associated with an organ and each organ has particular physical, energetic and emotional attributes. The Chinese say that as long as the Qi is flowing smoothly you will experience good health but if the flow of Qi is blocked or disrupted you will experience pain or illness. Blockages can be caused by traumatic or repetitive use injuries, stress, poor diet, emotions or even the weather. Acupuncture works by releasing these blockages allowing the body to heal itself.

Studies have shown that electrical conductivity at acupoints is different than when tested at random points on the body. This confirms what the Chinese have known for thousands of years. It has also been shown that stimulating certain acupoints regulates the endocrine system causing it to release hormones, endorphins and other healing compounds, as the body needs them.

In Chinese medicine and acupuncture we look at the body as a whole and how all of the organs and systems are functioning individually and in relation to each other. Each person and their condition are unique so diagnosis and treatment are considered in that manner. Along with asking questions specific to your condition your practitioner will ask general questions about your health that will help paint a complete picture of you. Tongue and pulse diagnosis help complete this picture.

Once your diagnosis is complete a treatment plan will be formulated specifically for you.

All conditions except traumatic injuries start out as an energetic imbalance before they manifest as physical pain or illness. Your practitioner will address the source of the imbalance as well as your physical symptoms.

Your treatment will consist of very fine, sterile, single use needles being painlessly inserted into acupoints selected for your specific condition. You will spend the next 15-40 minutes relaxing and letting the needles work their magic. Many people fall asleep during their treatment.

Most conditions require a series of treatments to resolve them. Acute conditions respond quickly while chronic conditions require more treatments.

Along with acupuncture you may be prescribed Chinese herbs and or nutritional supplements. Cupping, Tui Na massage and moxibustion may also be employed during your treatments.

Cupping is a form of suction used to relieve pain and muscle tension, stimulate circulation and reverse colds in the early stages.

Tui Na is a form of Chinese massage used specifically to relieve pain and treat injured joints and muscles.

Moxibustion, or moxa, is a technique where a specific herb (artemesia argii) is burned over specific acupoints to add warmth and yang energy to the body.

Lifestyle, dietary and exercise recommendations will be given to enhance your health and increase your enjoyment of life.

ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT RESULTS IN THE AVOIDANCE OF SURGERY

29 patients with severe osteoarthritis of the knee, each awaiting arthroplasty surgery, were randomized to receive a course of acupuncture treatment or be placed on a waiting list to receive similar acupuncture treatment starting nine weeks later. Of the 29 patients, 7 were able to cancel their scheduled surgeries.
Cost savings: $9,000 per patient

Christensen BV et al (1992) “Acupuncture treatment of severe knee osteoarthritis: a long-term study” Acta Anesthesiol Scand 36:519-525

ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT RESULTS IN DECREASED DAYS IN HOSPITAL OR NURSING HOME

Half of 78 stroke patients receiving standard rehabilitative care were randomly chosen to receive adjunctive acupuncture treatment. Patients given acupuncture recovered faster and to a greater extent, spending 88 days/patient un hospital and nursing homes compared to 161 days/patient fir standard care alone.
Cost Savings: $26,000 per patient

Johansson K et al (1994) “Can sensory stimulation improve the functional outcome in stroke patients?” Neurology 43:2189-2192

ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT ALLOWS LOW-BACK PAIN PATIENTS TO RETURN TO PHYSICAL LABOR

56 patients at a workers’ compensation clinic were randomized to receive physical therapy/occupational therapy/exercise or the standard care plus acupuncture. Of the 29 treated with acupuncture, 18 returned to their original or equivalent jobs and 10 returned to lighter employment. Of the 27 who received only standard therapy, 4 returned to original or equivalent and 14 to lighter employment.

Gunn CC et al (1980) “Dry needling if muscle motor points for chronic low-back pain”, Spine 5:279-291

ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT RESULTS IN AVOIDANCE OF SURGERY, FEWER HOSPITAL VISITS AND GREATER RETURN TO EMPLOYMENT

69 patients with severe angina pectoris received 12 acupuncture treatments in 4 weeks. Patients were also instructed to perform shiatsu 2x /day and received counseling in stress reduction, exercise and diet. Of the 49 patients who were candidates for coronary bypass or balloon angioplasty surgery, 30 had surgery postponed by the 2-year follow-up due to clinical improvement.
Cost savings: $13,000 per patient. Decrease in number of in-hospital days for all 69 patients: 79% first year post-treatment, 95% 2nd year post-treatment. Reduction in number of outpatient visits: 60% and 87% respectively. Estimated additional cost savings from increase in percent of patients able to work: 11% prior to treatment, 60% at two years post-treatment. Estimated savings in annual sick pay: $18,000/patient

Ballegaard S et al (1996) “Cost-benefit of combined use acupuncture, shiatsu and lifestyle adjustment for treatment of patients with severe angina pectoris”, Acupunct Electro-Ther Res 21:187-197

These statistics were gathered by the Acupuncture and Oriental Medical Alliance.