What Is Acupuncture?

Modern science has discovered that human beings are more than simply a mechanical assembly of different body parts, but that rather people are complex bio-energetic systems. When the energy flowing through our bodies becomes unbalanced or disturbed, the result is pain or illness. Acupuncture treatment helps restore the natural balance and flow of energy in the body, which in turn helps the body to heal itself, all without the use of drugs or surgery.

At Lifestyles Wellness Spa & Fitness Center, we are dedicated to promoting ancient healing practices to help develop optimum treatment solutions for patients with healthy lifestyle changes related to diet and exercise. We emphasize healing the whole person. Acupuncture is a potential solution that’s relaxing and relatively painless.

What Conditions Does Acupuncture Treat?

The World Health Organization (WHO) and National Institutes of Health (NIH), recognizes acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine’s ability to treat more than 100 common disorders including:

  • Gastrointestinal disorders, such as food allergies, peptic ulcer, chronic diarrhea, constipation, IBS, Crohn’s disease, hemorrhoids, duodenal and gastric ulcers, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal weakness, abdominal pain, digestive difficulties, bowel difficulties, Gallstones, Liver enlargement, hepatitis, anorexia and gastritis
  • Urogenital disorders, including incontinence, prolapsed bladder, urinary tract infections, interstitial cystitis, increased frequency, night urination, Kidney stones, and sexual dysfunction
  • Gynecological disorders, such as irregular, heavy, or painful menstruation, infertility in women and men, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), pregnancy discomfort, morning sickness, fibrocystic breast disease, ovarian cysts, thrush, menopause, and decreased sexual desire
  • Respiratory disorders, such as emphysema, sinusitis, asthma, allergies, immune imbalances and bronchitis
  • Disorders of the bones, muscles, joints and nervous system, such as toothache, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, Gout, sciatica, face pain, Bell’s palsy, migraine headaches, neuralgia, insomnia, fatigue, dizziness, poor memory, hypoglycemia, and low back, knee, neck and shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s Disease
  • Circulatory disorders, such as hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, stroke, and anemia
  • Emotional and psychological disorders, including depression, panic attacks, eating disorders, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and anxiety
  • Addictions, such as alcohol, nicotine and drugs
  • Eye, ear, nose and throat disorders, including chronic and acute ear infections, ADD, childhood eating problems, colds and flu, colic
  • Supportive therapy for other chronic and painful debilitating disorders, such as arthritis, sciatica, and injuries
  • Sexual problems, including impotence, spermatorrhea, erectile dysfunction, and prostate enlargement
  • Skin and Hair Disorders, including eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, acne, boils, hair loss, and premature greying
  • Emergency, including coma, convulsions, wind stroke, cancer
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The Treatment

In an Acupuncture treatment, extremely fine and flexible needles are inserted painlessly at specific points in the body to help facilitate the flow of energy. There are over 700 acupuncture points. These points are located on energetic pathways leading to the organs, muscles, and nerves of the body. An Acupuncture treatment may also include moxibustion therapy (heat therapy), mild electro-stimulation of needles, cupping (suction cups placed on the body to improve energy and blood flow), and Tuina massage.

An Acupuncture treatment is usually performed with the patient lying either face up or face down on a massage table. A typical treatment will include about eight to twelve points for needling, but may include less or more depending on your circumstances. The needles are retained for about 20 to 30 minutes, during which time you will be given a chance to relax and allow the needles to take effect.

What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?

Undergoing an acupuncture treatment bears no resemblance to the feeling of receiving a hypodermic injection nor being stuck by a pin, since the main source of pain from injections is the larger diameter, hollow needle and the medication being forced into the tissue by pressure. Five to ten acupuncture needles equal the size of one conventional hypodermic needle. Acupuncture needles are very fine and flexible, about the diameter of a human hair. Acupuncture needles are solid, which actually contributes to a smoother less perceptible insertion. In most cases, insertion by a skilled practitioner is performed with little or no sensation felt by the patient. Once a needle is inserted, depending on the location and intended purpose, it may be carefully manipulated to create a Qi (energy) sensation, which is characterized by a mild sensation of warmth, electricity, numbness, soreness, or swelling. Any of these sensations indicate that the needle is doing its job of stimulating the flow of energy in the body. Overall, an acupuncture treatment creates a relaxing sensation of calm and well being and many fall asleep during treatment. In some cases, your practitioner may also recommend herbs, or dietary, exercise or lifestyle changes.

An Acupuncture treatment will typically only consist of about 8 to 12 points. The needles are generally retained for approximately 20-30 minutes, during which time the patient relaxes privately.

After The Treatment

Acupuncture treatment elicits a state of calm and relaxation that many people compare to receiving a massage. After receiving a treatment, many people express they feel a sense of well being that is difficult to describe in words. You may also feel slightly tired as though you have just had a massage.

How Many Treatments?

You can typically expect your first visit to require about 90 minutes, and follow-up visits to require about 40 minutes. Usually one to two treatments per week is optimal, with ten treatments constituting one course of treatment. Depending on the severity and duration of your condition, you may need anywhere from one treatment to multiple courses of treatments to reprogram your body’s system. Harmony is restored much more quickly if the problem is treated as early as possible. This will be discussed on your initial visit. As a general rule, acute problems can generally be treated with fewer visits, while chronic problems may require one month of treatment for every year the problem has persisted. However, every person has a different set of circumstances, so these should be discussed in detail to get a better idea of the treatment schedule.

Once a patient has been relieved of ailments and the pulse becomes normal, he or she should be seen by the acupuncturist every three to six months for a booster treatment. Following this routine, basic health should remain satisfactory. If an illness should develop in an otherwise healthy patient, it can often be alleviated with relatively few treatments, sometimes with just one.