Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the “insertion of thin needles into the skin to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissues throughout the body with the goal of alleviating pain, tension, and stress”1. It is a treatment modality in many cultures for thousands of years. The wellness of the body and mind can be disrupted by injuries, stresses, and diseases. By placing needles in specific points along the meridians of the human body, acupuncture helps to restore balance, remove stagnation, and improve function by regulating the flow of Qi, or “vital energy” of living beings. Meridians are hidden networks through which Qi travels through and they are not currently well-understood by modern medicine.

The totality of the underlying mechanism of acupuncture is not well understood in Western medicine. Different frameworks have been proposed. There is evidence that acupuncture may influence the central nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system2. Studies have shown that it may regulate the release of endogenous (produced by our own body) endorphins, neurotransmitters, and hormones, which influence our pain perception, emotions, and autonomic regulation (blood pressure, blood flow, temperature, etc.)

Acupuncture does so much more than pain management. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine recognize that acupuncture is proven effective for the following3,4:

pain-management-01

Musculoskeletal

Low back pain, Neck pain, Sciatica, Tennis elbow,... Knee pain, Peri-arthritis of the shoulder, Sprains, Facial pain, TMJ, Dental pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Post-operative pain

Neurological-01

Neurological

Stroke, Headache, Migraines, Insomnia

cardiology-01

Cardiovascular

Essential hypertension, primary hypotension

Gastrointestinal-01

Gastrointestinal

Acute and chronic gastritis, Nausea & vomiting, Peptic ulcer

Genitourinary-01

Genitourinary

Induction of labor, Primary dysmenorrhea

Endocrine-01

Endocrine/Immune

Morning sickness, Leukopenia

ears-nose-throat-01

Ear, Nose, & Throat

Allergic rhinitis, Hay fever, Tinnitus, Sinusitis

Neurological-01

Psychological

Depression, Anxiety

Acupuncture treatment utilizes hair-thin, stainless, sterile, disposable needles. Patients are recommended to wear loose-fitting clothing, depending on the areas being treated. Variations of acupuncture treatments may include electroacupuncture, trigger point release, and ear acupuncture, depending on the condition being treated. An initial visit typically lasts 1-1.5 hours for a complete intake and physical exam, with follow-up visits lasting 45 minutes each (with 30 minutes needle retention time). Chinese herbal formulas may be recommended as they work well synergistically by providing sustenance to regulate the imbalance a person is experiencing.

  1. Patil S, Sen S, Bral M, et al. The Role of Acupuncture in Pain Management. Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2016;20(4). doi:10.1007/s11916-016-0552-1
  2. Chon, T. Y., & Lee, M. C. (2013, October). Acupuncture. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Retrieved January 3, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(13)00513-2/fulltext
  3. World Health Organization. Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2003.
  4. “NCCAM Acupuncture Information.” American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), www.medicalacupuncture.org/For-Patients/Articles-By-Physicians-About-Acupuncture/NCCAM-Acupuncture-Information