What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world. Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture began to become better known in the United States in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his pain after surgery.

The term acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. American practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The acupuncture technique that has been most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.

How might acupuncture work?

Acupuncture is one of the key components of the system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

In the TCM system of medicine, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Yin represents the cold, slow, or passive principle, yang represents the hot, excited, or active principle. Among the major assumptions in TCM are that health is achieved by maintaining the body in a "balanced state" and that disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. It is believed that there are 12 main meridians and 8 secondary meridians and that there are more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body that connect with them.

Preclinical studies have documented acupuncture's effects, but they have not been able to fully explain how acupuncture works within the framework of the Western system of medicine that is commonly practiced in the United States.

It is proposed that acupuncture produces its effects through regulating the nervous system, thus aiding the activity of pain-killing biochemicals such as endorphins and immune system cells at specific sites in the body. In addition, studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones and, thus, affecting the parts of the central nervous system related to sensation and involuntary body functions, such as immune reactions and processes that regulate a person's blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature.

What can acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the immune system. It also has affects the circulation, blood pressure, rhythm and stroke volume of the heart, secretion of the gastric acid and production of red and white cells. It stimulates the release of a variety of hormones that help body to respond to injury and stress.

~ Other uses of acupuncture are:

• Musculoskeletal Conditions (tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, upper/middle/lower back pain, general pain, pain management, shoulder pain, neck pain, joint pain, sports injuries, acute & chronic pain, tension/cluster/sinus headaches)
• Neurological Syndromes (Migraines, trigeminal neuralgia)
• Respiratory Ailments (Sinus Problems, Allergies, Asthma, Post-Nasal Drip)
• Digestive Disorders & Gastric problems (Acidity, Constipation, Gas, Bloating, Hemorrhoids, Diarrhea)
• Sleep Disorders (Insomnia)
• Gynecological Issues (Irregular menses, PMS, Cramping, Bloating, Prolapsed Uterus, Infertility)
• Stress & Anxiety Related Disorders
• Bladder dysfunction (Incontinence, Stress-Incontinence, Bed wetting)
• Skin conditions (Eczema, Rashes, Acne)
• Miscellaneous (Abnormal blood pressure, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [CFS], Addictions, Fibromyalgia)
• Plus so much more...

What should I expect during my first visit?

Share your complete medical history

During your first office visit, the practitioner may ask you at length about your health condition, lifestyle, and behavior. The practitioner will want to obtain a complete picture of your treatment needs and behaviors that may contribute to your condition. Inform the acupuncturist about all treatments or medications you are taking and all medical conditions you have.

{I will take a diagnostic evaluation according to TCM, which includes taking the pulse & asking to take a look at your tongue}

What does acupuncture feel like? Is it safe?

Most people feel no or minimal pain.

Acupuncture needles are metallic, solid, and extremely fine, about the size of a thick hair. The needles are solid and nothing is injected through them. Over the centuries, very refined needle insertion techniques have been developed which enable the skilled acupuncture practitioner to place a needle with little or no sensation.

People experience acupuncture differently, but most feel no or minimal pain as the needles are inserted. Some people are energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed. Improper needle placement, movement of the patient, or a defect in the needle can cause soreness and pain during treatment. This is why it is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner.

In some cases, the needles are not used. This may occur during the treatment of sensitive adults or children. The use of electronic stimulation works with equal effectiveness as the needle.

Is acupuncture safe?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners in 1996. The FDA requires that sterile, nontoxic needles be used and that they be labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only.

{In the State of Florida, by law, acupuncturists must use disposable needles... and yes, of course, I do.}

Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported to the FDA in light of the millions of people treated each year and the number of acupuncture needles used.

Still, complications have resulted from inadequate sterilization of needles.

{Hence, once again, I use disposable (one-time-use-only) needles... It’s the law in Florida & is simply good for safe practice.}

When not delivered properly, acupuncture can cause serious adverse effects, including infections and possible minor pneumothorax.

How widely is acupuncture used in the United States?

Acupuncture is being "widely" practiced.

In the past two decades, acupuncture has grown in popularity in the United States. The report from a Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 stated that acupuncture is being "widely" practiced--by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists, and other practitioners--for relief or prevention of pain and for various other health conditions. According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey--the largest and most comprehensive survey of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by American adults to date--an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults had ever used acupuncture, and an estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the previous year.

Does acupuncture work?

According to the NIH Consensus Statement on Acupuncture, there have been many studies on acupuncture's potential usefulness, but results have been mixed because of complexities with study design and size, as well as difficulties with choosing and using placebos or sham acupuncture. However, promising results have emerged, showing efficacy of acupuncture, for example, in adult postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in postoperative 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--in which acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program.

An NCCAM-funded study recently showed that acupuncture provides pain relief, improves function for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, and serves as an effective complement to standard care. Further research is likely to uncover additional areas where acupuncture interventions will be useful.

Although the principles of traditional Chinese medicine may be difficult for some to comprehend, there is little doubt of TCM's effectiveness. Several studies have reported on traditional Chinese medicine's success in treating a wide range of conditions, from nausea and vomiting to skin disorders, tennis elbow and back pain. Many Western-trained physicians have begun to see the benefits traditional Chinese medicine has to offer patients and now include acupuncture - at least on a limited basis - as part of their practice. More Americans are also using acupuncture, herbal remedies and other components of traditional Chinese medicine than ever before. The reasons for this vary, but the increasing interest in, and use of, TCM is due in large part to its effectiveness, affordability and lack of adverse side-effects compared to Western medicine.