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Acupuncture
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How
acupuncture works: Acupuncture and
other forms of traditional Chinese medicine have been in existence
for over 4,000 years. Yet the explanation for how acupuncture works
has been largely based on theory. The basic theory is outlined in
a text from 200 B.C. It acknowledges in people and nature a vital
energy or life force known as Qi (pronounced "chee").
Qi flows through the body via channels called meridians. If the
Qi flow is altered, the resulting deficiency, excess, or stagnation
of qi causes bodily malfunction, illness, and inability to heal
properly. Acupuncture, in which needles are inserted into specific
points along these meridians, restores the proper Qi flow, thereby
returning the body to a state of improved health and decreased pain.
Chiropractic
doctors and other licensed practitioners administer about 10 million
acupuncture treatments each year in the US, most commonly for pain
control, sports injuries, and smoking cessation. As the popularity
of acupuncture increases, researchers have become more interested
into proving exactly how acupuncture works. To date, researchers
have been able to measure an increased flow of acupuncture-induced
endorphins. This explains the pain-relieving effect of acupuncture.
Also, functional MRI's have measured changes in the activity of
key centers of the brain, where pain is interpreted, when certain
acupuncture points are treated. There are other beneficial effects
of acupuncture also being researched, including the treatment of:
nausea, asthma, sinus conditions, colds and the immune system, and
other internal disorders. Furthermore, acupuncture has been observed
clinically to enhance healing, and provide long-lasting pain relief.
Acupuncture's
clinical results are attracting interest from mainstream medicine.
A panel of independent experts convened in 1997 by the National
Institutes of Health concluded that acupuncture is safe and effective
in treating nausea and pain due to cancer and chemotherapy drugs.
It is also shown to be as helpful as prescription medication in
treating post surgical and other forms of pain, and without the
harmful side effects and toxicity. In our practices, we routinely
see excellent long-term results with acupuncture, even when other
forms of treatment have failed.
Benefits
of acupuncture:
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Pain relief for acute and chronic conditions |
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Aids in smoking cessation |
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Decreases stress and anxiety |
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Relieves acute and chronic sinus congestion |
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Accelerates the healing process |
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Complements other treatments for internal disorders |
What
you can expect: Most
people (even those afraid of needles) are surprised at how painless
acupuncture is. The needles are extremely thin, not at all like
those used for medical injections or shots. The sensitivity of different
acupuncture points may vary. Some points are not felt at all, while
others may feel like the brief sting of an insect bite. Once the
needles are in, no pain is felt. A treatment usually lasts 15 –
20 minutes. For your protection, all needles are sterile, one-time-use,
and disposable.
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