Acupuncture
One of the oldest and simplest forms of healthcare is
probably one of the most misunderstood. Acupuncture is simply a health science which is
used to treat both pain and dysfunction in the body. The earliest records of Acupuncture
date back as far as 7,000 years ago in ancient China, from which it spread throughout
ancient Egypt, the Middle East, the Roman Empire, and later into Western Europe.
Acupuncture was not prominently known in this country until 1971 when President Nixon
opened diplomatic relations with China.
Most people associate Acupuncture with large needles and mystical
practices. However Acupuncture is an finely developed healing art with specific protocols.
The early Chinese discovered that there is an energy network associated with the living
body. This network communicates with every internal organ and structure at thousands of
"acupoints" on the body. If there is an imbalance in the natural, healthy flow
of energy, this can reflect as a physical problem. By stimulating a combination of
specific points, the acupuncturist can restore balance to the body and assist the body in
healing itself more effectively.
Acupuncture has been credited with helping numerous conditions,
including: acute and chronic pain, headaches, migraines, allergies, digestive problems,
fibromyalgia, anxiety, low back pain, smoking cessation, etc., etc. Many studies have been
performed in Europe and Asia to confirm these applications. The World Health Organization,
after recently performing a comprehensive study of Acupuncture literature and research
stated that "the sheer weight of evidence demands that acupuncture must be taken
seriously as a clinical procedure of considerable value."
Many modern practitioners of Acupuncture utilize specialized
diagnostic equipment to graph the energy pattern of the body and visualize any imbalances
that may be present. This test takes only a few minutes and allows both the patient and
the Doctor to view and discuss the results. Following this examination, specific points
will be treated to address the complaints and imbalances, customizing treatments to the
individual.
One would assume that inserting a needle into the skin would be
painful, since most of us can relate to having a shot with a hypodermic needle. However,
Acupuncture needles are much smaller and you can fit up to 15 acupuncture needles into the
hollow tube of a hypodermic needle. Because of the extreme slenderness of the needle, most
people compare the sensation to "less than a mosquito bite".
But needles are only one method of Acupuncture treatment. Many
modern practitioners employ laser or electronic stimulation with equal effectiveness as
the needle. Both of these techniques are painless and are becoming the accepted standard
worldwide.
A common question many people ask is how much treatment is
necessary? Obviously the number of treatments will vary with different conditions. Chronic
problems generally require more treatment than acute ones. Some patients notice an
immediate effect, while others may not notice any change for several visits. It is not
recommended to enter a protocol of Acupuncture care for "just a few visits",
just to see what will happen. This is not realistic. Even though it is possible to achieve
success in a short time, this is not the norm. Most conditions appear gradually and
usually have been in the body for long lengths of time. Reversing the body’s old
patterns and habits should be a gradual, natural process – a process similar to
weight loss with dieting, or muscle strength with exercise.
Acupuncture can an extremely powerful healing art when applied
properly and when used in conjunction with other natural health sciences such as
Chiropractic care, exercise, and nutritional therapies. Everyone’s individual needs
can be determined through a careful history and through examination, and treatments must
be customized for each patient. To obtain more information on Acupuncture, or if you want
more information on how Acupuncture may help you, please feel free to contact Dr. Doug
Briggs at Lantana Chiropractic Center at 302-239-1600 or email him at:
