How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture is the placement of very fine needles into the body at a specific location known as an acupuncture point. These points are located on the pathways known as “meridians” through which the flow of qi (energy) and blood circulates throughout our body.
Recently science has determined that human beings are complex bio electric systems. This understanding has been the foundation of acupuncture practice for several thousand years. Energy circulates throughout the body along well-defined pathways. Points on the skin along these pathways are energetically connected to specific organs, body structures, and systems. If this energy circulation is disrupted, optimum function is affected and this results in pain or illness. Acupuncture points are stimulated to balance the circulation of energy, which influence the health of the entire being.
How Can Acupuncture Treatments Benefit Me?
- Eliminate or dramatically reduce acute and chronic pain/inflammation.
- Improve your sleep habits, feel less fatigue, increase your vitality and stamina.
- Strengthen your immune system
- As a preventative medicine, it can help reduce your long-term health care costs (e.g. avoid surgery, decrease medications).
- Enhance a positive attitude!
How does it feel?
After insertion of the needles a patient may have the feeling of heaviness, distention and movement that comes and goes. These sensations can signify the release of one’s blocked qi (energy) that can stimulate the body’s innate healing mechanisms. Some people are energized by treatment others are relaxed. Improper needle placement, movement of the patient can cause soreness and pain during treatment. This is why it is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner.
How many treatments will I need?
It is impossible to tell until the practitioner has had a chance to asses your health condition in an initial evaluation. Every person is unique and there are many factors that contribute to achieving a positive result. The patient may also have to incorporate lifestyle changes to achieve an appropriate treatment response. It is normally the cumulative effect of treatments that can provide a better treatment outcome.
Because each individual is unique in their own constitutional way, one person may recover from the common cold a lot quicker than another. Your practitioner will devise a diagnosis and treatment plan that is specific to your condition.
What are the possible side effects?
As with most medical therapies, acupuncture has both benefits and risks. Consider the benefits:
- Acupuncture is safe when performed properly.
- It has few side effects.
- It can be useful as a complement to other treatment methods.
- It’s becoming more available in conventional medical settings.
- It helps control certain types of pain.
- It may be an alternative if you don’t respond to or don’t want to take pain medications.
Acupuncture may not be safe if you have a bleeding disorder or if you’re taking blood thinners. The most common side effects of acupuncture are soreness, bleeding or bruising at the needle sites. Rarely, a needle may break or an internal organ might be injured. If needles are reused, infectious diseases may be accidentally transmitted. However, these risks are low in the hands of a competent, certified acupuncture practitioner.