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What Is Traditional Chinese Acupuncture?
Originating in ancient
China, traditional acupuncture is the oldest continuously practiced
medical system in the world. This medical model is based on natural laws
which describe the flow of life energy in nature and the body.
This life energy called Qi (pronounced Chee), courses though the
body in channels similar to rivers that course through the Earth. When the
body shows distress signals in the form of symptoms, these warn that there
is a problem. If the real problem is not addressed, sooner or later,
something more serious is likely to occur. Traditional acupuncture treats
the underlying cause rather than simply removing the discomforting
symptoms.
What Problems Can Acupuncture Help?
While
traditional acupuncture is widely known to relieve pain, it also works for
acute and chronic conditions in adults and children. Dr. Stephanie focuses
on the whole person in diagnosis including body, mind, and lifestyle. When
underlying problems are corrected, the outward symptoms disappear.
Acupuncture can also help people without serious health conditions stay
vital and balanced.
What About the Needles?
The needles used
to stimulate acupuncture points have no resemblance to hypodermic
syringes. Acupuncture needles are not hollow, but very slender and barely
beyond the thickness of a human hair. Needles are sterile and disposable,
never reused. Most insertions are just below the skin’s surface, but the
depth depends upon the nature of the problem, the patient’s size, age, and
constitution.
What Does It Feel Like?
Sometimes acupuncture
is painless, but often, there is a sensation when the Qi is adjusted. This
sensation can be felt as heaviness, pressure, soreness, or an electrical
sensation.
What Other Therapies Are Used?
Eastern /
Oriental medical techniques include moxibustion, which is the burning of
an herb Artemisia Vulgaris (mugwort), cupping, electrical stimulation, and
various types of massage, acupressure (Shiatsu), Tuina Chinese massage.
Various Chinese and Western herbs as well as nutritional therapies are
used.
What Is Recommended for Those in Treatment?
Various
changes, subtle or profound, may occur after or during the treatment. All
changes will be monitored by the acupuncturist, who will be aware of your
general progress. The progress is different for every
individual.
To enhance the value of therapy:
• Plan your
activities so that after each treatment, especially the first few, you can
relax and thus allow yourself to gain the maximum benefit.
• Allow
plenty of time to get to your appointment, so you’re not hurried for your
treatment.
• For the rest of that day, avoid strenuous exercise, large
meals, alcohol, and sexual activity.
• Continue prescription medicine
exactly as directed by your physician.
• Be aware of changes in your
patterns or functioning, attitudes, emotions, sleep, appetite, levels of
energy in order to provide feedback to the acupuncturist.
• Cultivate
respect for yourself. Adequate mental and physical rest, nutrition, and
exercise are essential.
What Can You Expect From a Visit?
Your
first visit
Your initial visit is designed to help Dr. Stephanie
understand your reasons for seeking acupuncture treatment and to assess
the underlying problems leading to your symptoms. This session begins with
an interview that includes both your health and personal history and
continues with a physical examination. It is conducted in complete
confidentiality. You will then be advised of the anticipated frequency and
number of treatments recommended. This initial session usually lasts one
and a half hours.
Subsequent Acupuncture Sessions
Normally,
treatment sessions are one hour long. Initially you will be seen weekly in
order to create an internal harmony which will be maintained between
treatments. As this harmony is achieved, usually after 4-8 weeks,
treatments are extended to every other week, every three weeks, monthly,
and eventually seasonally. Of course, frequency of the treatments varies
with each individual, because each individual’s health condition is
unique.
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