What is Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and how does it work?

Oriental Medicine is a centuries-old complete and comprehensive health care system used for the treatment of both acute and chronic health problems, disease prevention and health maintenance. It is based on an energetic model of health as opposed to the biomedical model of health used in Western medicine. Oriental Medicine can help to heal or be a palliative treatment for many conditions.

“Qi”, loosely translated as energy, is the foundation of everything in life, including the human body. This medical system is based on the regulation and tonification of energy qi. The acupuncture stimulates “The Doctor Within” and it encourages the body to begin to rebalance itself and achieve an optimum state of health.

When there is an excess, a deficiency or an imbalance of qi in the body, dysfunction, disharmony and/or disease exist. A symptom such as a headache is an example of a qi imbalance. Bodily symptoms, medical history, as well as tongue, pulse, and palpatory exams are the basis for diagnosis and treatment.

Do the needles hurt?

Most people in this society are needle-phobic, and understandably so. That is because they have either received a shot or have had blood drawn and hypodermic needles do hurt! Often this is done in a cold, impersonal and stressful environment, which has adds to the level of discomfort. Your acupuncture treatment should in no way resemble this feeling or this experience. You will be laying down, in a relaxed, warm environment and nothing will be done to you that is in any way uncomfortable to you. The needles themselves are very fine and flexible and go in so easily, you barely feel it. It’s not to say that your experience is without sensation. It’s the work that the needles are doing to your body that people feel and these sensations vary from person to person and even from treatment to treatment. The needles gently affect the nervous system and most people experience this as a very relaxing, tranquilizing experience, and often fall asleep during their treatment!

Are there any side effects?

The only known side effects are that while receiving treatment for one complaint, other problems may concurrently resolve. Acupuncture is very good at promoting peace, relaxation, energy, better sleep, sexual vigor and immunity to name just a few of the beneficial side effects that may occur.

How soon will I feel better?

People’s response to treatment can only be evaluated on a case by case basis. Some people have a positive response after the needles being inserted within seconds, for other people it can take minutes, hours, days, or sometimes weeks to notice a significant effect. Everyone responds in their own way. Many problems can be alleviated quickly. However, problems that have developed and evolved over years will often require nature’s patience ~ which is allowing for slow and steady changes and improvements to take place over time. Healing is a process and acupuncture helps to stimulate that process. Other factors such as the use of herbs, diet, lifestyle, attitude and patience will also affect the outcome of a course of treatment.

I’m already healthy, why would I need acupuncture?

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine is an excellent adjunct to an already healthy lifestyle because it relieves stress, improves overall health, enhances immunity and well-being and helps prevent many diseases or imbalances from occurring.