Information
Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), one of the oldest continuous systems of medicine dating back 5,000 years. It is the most commonly used system of healing in the world.
TCM is based on the belief that what happens to one part of the body affects every other part of the body. Similarly, organs and organ systems are viewed as interconnected structures that work together to keep the body functioning.
One of the TCM concepts is qi (pronounced “chi”), which is considered a vital force or energy. Qi flows through the body via channels, or pathways, called meridians. Imbalances in the flow of qi cause illness; correction of this flow restores the body to balance.
Acupuncture restores the balance, thus allowing for the normal flow of qi throughout the body and restoring health to the mind and body.
What should I expect on my first visit?
The first visit to an acupuncturist usually begins with the practitioner
taking a detailed history. After review, the practitioner will begin
diagnosing your ailment. Palpation (to explore by touch) of various
acupuncture points on the body, an examination of the tongue, as well as
pulse, are common diagnostic techniques in acupuncture.
Using all of the information, the practitioner will then determine the cause of your symptoms. Needles will be inserted into specific acupuncture points on the body. The acupuncturist may use moxa or electrical stimulation to enhance acupuncture's therapeutic effects.
The number of treatment sessions depends on the seriousness of your condition. A typical course of acupuncture treatment is 10 sessions, although significant improvements can occur after just a couple visits. Your first visit may take 90 minutes, with subsequent visits lasting about 60 minutes.
Does it hurt?
Unlike hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles are solid and hair-thin –
not designed to cut the skin. They are also inserted to much more shallow
levels than hypodermic needles, generally no more than 1/2 -inch to an inch.
While each person experiences acupuncture differently, most people feel only
a minimal amount of sensation as the needles are inserted. Some people
report feeling a sensation of excitement, while others feel relaxed.
Conditions commonly treated with acupuncture
Diseases of the muscles, bones and joints
Diseases of the nervous system
Digestive disorders
Diseases of the respiratory system
Diseases of the heart and blood vessels
Obstetrics and gynecology
Present Day
Oriental Medicine is a term with many variations of a general meaning.
Among the majority of american practitioners it refers to a system of
medicine which originated approximately 4000 years ago in in far east
Asia. This area included what are now China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, and
Vietnam.
In the 20th century Oriental Medicine serves almost two billion people in far east Asia, the former Soviet Union and Europe. In the U.S. thirty-eight states have scope of practice for NCCAOM National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or equivalent level practitioners. There are approximately 10,000 NCCA national board certified acupuncturists in the country. Since several states have licensure requirements and processes that are independent of the NCCA exhaustive totals have not been compiled.
Research on Oriental Medicine has been continual in China since the early 1950’s. After the civil war was settled in 1948, the Communist Government of China realized it could not afford to train, let alone equip, a sufficient number of allopathic doctors to meet the needs of the country’s population. The government evaluation of the traditional medicine showed that it had enough effectiveness to warrant not only active use and perpetuation but development. Today Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is practiced in allopathic hospitals, in traditional hospitals, in conjunction with allopathic medicine, and hybrids of both forms of medicine have been developed.
Foundation Principles
Although Oriental Medicine has a set of foundation principles it is not
uniform. There have been and are many schools of thought. Oriental Medicine
is a complete health care system capable of delivering both primary and
specialized care. It’s based on principles which began evolving
approximately between 2000BC and 4000BC and which continue to evolve. The
roots of Oriental Medicine are considered by most to be Buddhism, Taoism,
and Confucianism. Buddhism is a religion, Confucianism is social and
political philosophy, and Taoism is both a religion and a philosophy. These
are gross simplifications. Literally thousands of volumes have been written
on these subjects. But we are concerned here with giving you enough
information for useful understanding of your diagnosis.
Taoism is the most influential root of Oriental Medicine. The Taoists main focus was on the observable and natural laws of the universe and the implications for human beings’ relationship to the universe. 2500 years (5000BC - 500BC) allowed much time for observation, study and speculation by many people. This activity yielded myriad principles. Below are five of the fundamental principles and applications of them to health and healing.
These principles are the axioms about existence that form the foundation for Yin & Yang, The Five Elements, and Qi (pronounced chee). And those concepts are the primary engines of Oriental Medicine.