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Frequently
asked questions?
What is Oriental
Medicine?
Oriental
Medicine is
a term used
to describe
a variety of
integrated systems
of treatment
which help
bring the body
into a state
of optimum health.
Having
over a five
thousand year
history of
empirical development,
Oriental Medicine
is broadly categorized
into the four
pillars.
These
are: Acupuncture
and Moxibustion
Herbal Medicines
and Diet Physical
Manipulation
and Muscular
Therapy Qigong and
Breath Each of these
therapies aids
to bring the
body back to
a homeostatic
healthful condition.
Perhaps
one of the most
meaningful aspects
of Oriental
Medicine is
that, through
the diagnostic
techniques refined
over the centuries,
illness may
be avoided before
the physical
symptoms
manifest themselves.
In essence,
our focus is
not only on
the return to
a healthy state, but
a lifelong maintenance
of it. What is Qi
(pronounced
chee)? Qi
permeates everything
in the universe
there is nothing
that is not
a manifestation
of Qi. Qi
is the bodys
internal energy.
The improper
flow of Qi affects
health and well-being.
Chinese
medicine manipulates
Qi so that it
can flow freely
in the body
and in doing
so it nourishes
and energizes
every organ,
tissue, and
cell.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture
is one of the
modalities of
Oriental medicine.
Although
what is called
acupuncture
in the West
comprises several
different therapies
(such as moxibustion
and cupping),
mostly it consists
of the insertion
of fine needles
into the body
at specific
points shown
to be effective
in the treatment
of specific
health problems.
These
points have
been mapped
by the Chinese
over a period
of two thousand
years, and there
are more than
a thousand known
acupoints. In
the past three
decades, electromagnetic
research has
confirmed the
existence and
location of
these points.
How does
acupuncture
work?
Modern
Western medicine
cannot yet explain
how acupuncture
works. Traditional
Asian acupuncture
is based on
ancient Chinese
theories of
the flow of
qi ( a fine,
essential substance
which nourishes
and constructs
the body) through
distinct channels
that cover the
body somewhat
like the nerves
and blood vessels.
According
to this theory,
acupuncture
adjusts the
flow of qi in
the body, leading
it to areas
where it is
insufficient
and draining
it from areas
where it is
stuck and/or
superabundant.
In this
way, acupuncture
restores the
harmonious balance
of the body
and its parts.
In Chinese,
there is a saying,
If there is
pain, there
is no free flow;
if there is
free flow, there
is no pain.
*Acupuncture
promotes and
reestablishes
the free flow
of qi.
Is acupuncture
safe?
When
performed by
a competently
trained, licensed
professional,
acupuncture
is extremely
safe. All
licensed acupuncturists
today use individually
package, sterile,
disposable needles.
So there
is virtually
no chance of
infection or
contagion.
How many
treatments will
I need?
That depends
on the duration,
severity, and
nature of your
complaint. You
many need only
a single treatment
for an acute
condition. A
series of 5-10
treatment may
resolve many
chronic problems.
Some degenerative
conditions may
require many
treatments over
time. To
help reduce
the number of
treatments,
your practitioner
may suggest
dietary modifications,
specific exercise
regimes, relaxation
techniques,
self-message,
and/or Chinese
herbal medicines,
all of which
may help to
increase the
efficacy of
acupuncture.
Are there
different styles
of acupuncture?
That depends
on the duration,
severity, and
nature of your
complaint. You
many need only
a single treatment
for an acute
condition. A
series of 5-10
treatment may
resolve many
chronic problems.
Some degenerative
conditions may
require many
treatments over
time. To
help reduce
the number of
treatments,
your practitioner
may suggest
dietary modifications,
specific exercise
regimes, relaxation
techniques,
self-message,
and/or Chinese
herbal medicines,
all of whiAcupuncture
originated in
China but has
spread to Korea,
Japan, Vietnam,
Europe, and
America. In
different countries,
different styles
have developed
based on differing
opinions as
to theory and
technique. Patients
should talk
to their practitioner
about his or
her particular
style and learn
as much as possible
about the treatment
being proposed.ch
may help to
increase the
efficacy of
acupuncture.
What criteria
should I use
in choosing
an acupuncturist?
Prospective
patients should
ask about where
the practitioner
trained and
for how long
he or she has
been in practice,
and, mostly
importantly,
what experience
the practitioner
has had in treating
your specific
ailment. Acupuncture
is a licensed
and regulated
health care
profession in
over 40 states
in the U.S.
In addition,
the National
Commission for
the Certification
of Acupuncture
& Oriental
Medicine (NCCAOM)
certifies both
acupunc-turists
and Chinese
herbal practitioners.
Acupuncturists
who have passed
the NCCAOM exam
are entitled
to add Dipl.
Ac. (Diplomate
of Acupuncture)
after their
name.
What should
I know about
the proposed
treatments?
Your
practitioner
will explain
the nature of
your problem
in Oriental
medical terms
and what treatment
he or she is
recommending.
Your practitioner
will tell you
what benefits
and risks there
are to the proposed
treatment and
what other treatment
options are
available to
you through
this practitioner
or by referral
to another practitioner
or physician.
Is there
anything I need
to do before
receiving an
acupuncture
treatment?
The
following suggestions
will help you
get the maximum
benefits from
your treatment:
1.
Wear loose
clothing. Women
should not wear
one piece dresses.
Avoid
wearing tight
stockings.
2.
Avoid treatment
when excessively
fatigued, hunger,
full, emotionally
upset, or shortly
after sex.
Is there
anything I need
to do while
receiving acupuncture?
1.
Relax. There
is no need to
be frightened.
Ask your
practitioner
any questions
you have along
the way so that
you can get
the most benefit
possible from
the treatment.
2
Do not
change your
position or
move suddenly.
If you
are uncomfortable,
tell your
practitioner.
What can
I expect after
treatment?
Patients
often experience
dramatic results
in the first
treatment. Some
patients experience
an immediate
total or partial
relief of their
pain or other
symptoms. This
relief may last
or some pain
may return.
In a few
cases, there
may be no immediate
relief only
to notice the
pain diminish
over the next
couple of days.
Generally,
you should expect
to feel better.
ACUPUNTURE
WORKS!
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