Acupuncture Care

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a healthcare practice that originated in China over 2,500 years ago. It involves stimulation of acupuncture points on or in the skin, encouraging the flow of energy (referred to as Qi or Chi). The most accepted methods employ thin, solid, metallic needles, which are manipulated manually or by electrical stimulation.

We use a variety of acupuncture techniques, including electroacupuncture, dependant on the needs of the individual patient. There are approximately thirty methods of stimulation, but we typically use of the following techniques:

• Long needle insertion
• Short needle penetration
• Non-piercing needles
• Fingertip pressure
• Metallic balls taped to acupuncture points
• Electrical stimulation
• Moxabustion

How Effective is Acupuncture?

Today, many doctors send their patients to acupuncturists because many medications only mask health issues instead of correcting the actual problem. For example, Dr. Oz touts the use of acupuncture for the following conditions:

• Pain
• Muscle spasm
• Neurological issues
• Heart disease
• Hypertension
• Nausea
• Weight management
• Skin problems

Prevention magazine recommends acupuncture for:

• Mood
• Migraines
• Allergy relief
• Acid reflux
• Menopause
• Chronic pain
• Better sleep

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Program assesses health technology. The following quote is from the NIH:

“There have been many studies of (acupuncture’s) potential usefulness… Promising results have emerged… for example, efficacy of acupuncture in adult post-operative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in post-operative dental pain. There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and asthma where acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program.”