What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient system of Medicine originating from China thousands of years ago. It involves balancing the flow of energy, known as Qi, through channels in the body known as Meridians, via the insertion of thin, sterile needles into specifically chosen acupuncture points. The Meridians correspond to the different body organs and it is believed that the imbalance of the energy flow or Qi, leads to symptoms of illness. Acupuncture is used to restore the balance of Qi, leading to symptom relief.
Conditions that may benefit from Acupuncture:
- Headaches
- Migraine Headaches
- Pain of all types
- Sciatica
- Infertility
- Menstrual irregularities
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Amenorrhea
- Skin Rashes
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Insomnia
- Fibromyalgia
- Nausea
- Menopausal symptoms
- Sports injuries
- Tinnitus
- Stress/Tension syndromes
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Induction of labor in pregnancy
- Turning a breached baby in pregnancy
What happens during an Acupuncture Treatment Session?
During an acupuncture treatment session, chosen acupuncture points are cleaned with alcohol prior to needle insertion. Once the chosen treatment points are prepped, the sterile thin needles are inserted into the chosen spots. The patient then rests and relaxes with the needles in the designated acupuncture points. Halfway through the treatment, the needles are stimulated and then the patient rests and relaxes for the remainder of the treatment which lasts for 30-45 minutes. At the end of the treatment the needles are removed and disposed of and the treatment is finished.
Acupuncture for the treatment of certain conditions has been endorsed by the following organizations:
- World Health Organization
- United States National Institutes of Health
- the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- the National Health Service of the United Kingdom