What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning.  It has been used for many thousands of years particularly in the Orient.  Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles at very precise acupuncture points.  Sometimes heat or electrical stimulation is applied to the needles to augment the level of activation at these points.

How does acupuncture work?¹

The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy (or chi) run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface.  These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues.  An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up the flow in one part of the body and restricts it in others.

The meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points.  The acupuncture needles unblock the obstructions at the damns and re-establish a regular flow through the meridians.  Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body’s internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.

The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain.  These chemicals will either change the experience of pain or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body’s own internal regulating system.

The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating the bodies natural healing abilities and in promoting physical and emotional well-being.

1. The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture

When is acupuncture useful?

Acupuncture can be useful not only as treatment for specific medical conditions or health problems, but in the prevention of illness and in the promotion of health and well-being.  While acupuncture is often associated with pain control, in the hands of the well-trained practitioner, it has much broader applications.

Recently, The National Institute of Health (NIH) convened a consensus panel on acupuncture and concluded that there was “clear evidence” that acupuncture is helpful  for postoperative dental pain, as well as nausea associated with surgery, chemotherapy and pregnancy.  Painful conditions in which the NIH felt acupuncture may prove to be an acceptable alternative or add-on therapy include:

• fibromyalgia
• headache
• osteoarthritis
• low back pain
• carpal tunnel syndrome

The NIH is now funding acupuncture studies on the above conditions to better determine its effectiveness.  In addition, the NIH is funding a five year controlled study on the use of acupuncture to treat major depression.

The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of health problems including:

• Digestive disorders:  gastritis and hyperacidity, spastic colon, constipation and diarrhea.
• Respiratory disorders:  sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, and recurrent chest infections.
• Neurological and muscular disorders:  headaches, facial tics, neck pain, rib neuritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, various forms of tendonitis, low back pain, sciatica and osteoarthritis.
• Urinary, menstrual and reproductive problems.

Acupuncture is particularly useful in resolving physical problems related to tension, stress and emotional conditions.

What kind of needles are used?  Do they hurt?

Acupuncture needles are very thin almost as slender as a human hair and are made of flexible stainless steel.  The needles used at Integrative Therapies are single use, sterile and disposable.  The point is smooth (not hollow with cutting edges like a hypodermic needle) and insertion through the skin is not as uncomfortable as injections or blood sampling.  In fact, some people do not experience any discomfort at all.  Other people describe a slight tingling or burning sensation similar to a mosquito bite.  As the needle is inserted or gently moved, other feelings such as a dull ache, warmth, mild pressure or radiating sensations may be felt.

What would a typical acupuncture session be like?

When done properly, acupuncture treatment always begins with a thorough assessment, a diagnosis of your particular imbalance within the framework of Chinese medicine.  This may involve the practitioner asking you a variety of questions (such as, Do you tend to be too hot or too cold?  Are there foods that you crave?  How is your energy level?);  checking pulses at various points around your body;  and observing your tongue.  Based on this evaluation, the practitioner determines where the energy blockages are in your system and what points along your meridians to stimulate in order to correct the imbalance.

Once the proper acupuncture points have been mapped out, needles are inserted, typically with the body in the reclining position.  The needles are usually left in for 10 to 20 minutes.  Once they are in place, many people describe feeling a deep sense of calm and well-being, while others may experience a rush of physical or emotional sensations.  An initial assessment and treatment at Integrative Therapies usually runs between 80 and 90 minutes, with follow-up sessions lasting between 50 and 60 minutes.

Are there any side effects to the treatments?

Adverse side effects are rare.  As energy is redirected in the body, internal chemicals and hormones are stimulated and balancing or healing begins to take place.  Occasionally the original symptoms worsen for a few days, or other general changes in sleep, appetite, bowel or urination patterns or emotional state may be triggered.  These should not cause concern as they are simply indications that the acupuncture is starting to work.

It is not uncommon to have sensations of deep relaxation or disorientation immediately following the first one or two visits.  These pass within a short time and never require anything more than a bit of rest to overcome.

How many treatments will I need?

Depending on your condition, an active treatment program may involve some 4 to 12 treatment sessions scheduled once or twice a week.  (It is unusual for a single treatment to do the trick).  At that point, if your condition has improved, you will probably be put on a maintenance regimen of monthly treatment, for another three months or so.  Once the condition is stabilized, preventative maintenance of one acupuncture session every time the season changes may be recommended.

Is it OK to do other therapies at the same time?

Generally speaking acupuncture can work well in conjunction with other therapies.  In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is part of a wholistic treatment approach with diet, life style and other factors being addressed.  Individual herbal prescriptions are often offered to complement the acupuncture treatment (Please see section under Chinese Herbal Therapy).  At Integrative Therapies it is possible that you might engage in physical therapy or other forms of treatment during the same weeks that you are receiving acupuncture. It is important to realize, however, that acupuncture can be very subtle in its impact and that performing rigorous activities or engaging in other treatment modalities immediately before or after an acupuncture session may have a depotentiating effect.

Who performs the acupuncture treatments at Integrative Therapies?

Kimberly Brown, L. Ac. is the acupuncture and Oriental medicine specialist at Integrative Therapies.  She is a Diplomate of the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

She received her Master of Science in Oriental Medicine and Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine at the National College of Science of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM) in Portland, Oregon.  Kimberly uses acupuncture, Chinese and Western herbal medicine, and nutritional counseling for the treatment of pain and other health issues. 

Does Insurance pay for acupuncture treatments?

More and more health insurance companies and HMOs are providing coverage for acupuncture and their numbers are likely to grow given the NIH panel’s recent endorsement of acupuncture for various conditions and the ever increasing level of consumer demand.

Although many insurance companies offer policies that provide acupuncture benefits, these carriers typically have a variety of different benefit packages.  It is therefore important to find out exactly what services your personal insurance policy covers.  The referral and insurance coordinators at Integrative Therapies will be happy to help you find the information you need.

Where can I find out more information?

• National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance phone: (253) 851-6896 Website www.acuall.org
• National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) phone: (202) 232-1404 Website: www.nccaom.org
• National Institute of Health (NIH), Website: www.nih.gov
• Or contact us at Integrative Therapies